Hillsborough County panel prequalifies three appraisal firms, rejects one for nonresponsive application

An evaluation committee for Hillsborough County on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025, reviewed applications for RFQ 24-25-006 (Real Estate Appraisal Services) and by consensus approved Newkirk Valuation and Consulting Services LLC, Property Valuation and Consulting Inc. (Blair Beasley), and Realty Valuation Advisors Inc., doing business as Integra Realty Resources Tampa Bay, while finding South Shore Valuation Services LLC nonresponsive.

The committee met to decide which firms met qualification standards identified in Attachment A (procedure for selection of qualified appraisers) and Attachment B (applicant submission form) of the RFQ. James Wonderling, procurement analyst for the project, opened the meeting and reminded attendees that "the cone of silence is still in effect," a procurement restriction that remains until a notice of intent to award is issued.

Why it matters: The county maintains an approved list of consultant appraisers it can hire for property valuations, surplus property reviews and eminent domain work. Firms added to the list are eligible to be assigned county appraisal work but are not guaranteed projects.

Committee findings and supporting details

- Newkirk Valuation and Consulting Services LLC: The applicant, appraiser Haywood Newkirk, is a state-certified general appraiser with extensive out-of-state eminent domain experience. Committee members highlighted that Newkirk has valued more than 1,500 right-of-way parcels in the past five years; John Menard, review appraiser, said, "I think he's qualified." The committee recorded a consensus decision to pass Newkirk for the approved list.

- Property Valuation and Consulting Inc. (Blair Beasley): Blair Beasley is a state-certified general appraiser and an associate to an appraiser already on the county's approved list. Committee members noted she completed several assignments for the county ("4 or 5 assignments," according to the record) and that her past reports were reviewed and judged competent. The committee recorded a consensus pass.

- Realty Valuation Advisors Inc., doing business as Integra Realty Resources Tampa Bay (Kendra Barrett): Committee members observed Barrett is a state-certified general appraiser with more than two decades of experience (licensure noted since February 2008) and a large volume of prior appraisals. Reviewers said her office's proximity to county offices and familiarity with the local market were positive factors; the committee recorded a consensus pass.

- South Shore Valuation Services LLC (applicant: John Ressler): Committee members found the submission nonresponsive because the applicant did not complete Attachment B, the county's required consultant-appraiser qualification form. Dean DeRose and other reviewers said the file lacked the information necessary to evaluate the applicant against the RFQ's 14 criteria. Procurement staff reported multiple requests for clarification through the Bonfire portal and email went unanswered. The committee recorded a consensus fail on South Shore's application.

Process and record

Committee members reviewed each application independently, then discussed strengths and weaknesses aloud and arrived at a consensus determination of "pass" or "fail" for each applicant. James Wonderling said he would record the committee's consensus on the score sheet and collect signatures.

Votes at a glance (RFQ 24-25-006 applicant determinations)

- Newkirk Valuation and Consulting Services LLC (Haywood Newkirk) — consensus: pass. - Property Valuation and Consulting Inc. (Blair Beasley) — consensus: pass. - Realty Valuation Advisors Inc., d/b/a Integra Realty Resources Tampa Bay (Kendra Barrett) — consensus: pass. - South Shore Valuation Services LLC (John Ressler) — consensus: fail (nonresponsive; did not complete Attachment B).

Discussion vs. formal action

Committee discussion focused on each applicant's documented experience (number and type of prior appraisals), familiarity with Florida and Hillsborough County property types, and responsiveness in the procurement process. The only formal outcomes recorded were the consensus pass/fail determinations for the four applicants; no motions, seconds, or roll-call votes were recorded in the transcript.

Context and next steps

Committee members emphasized that inclusion on the approved list does not guarantee work assignments; instead, it makes firms eligible for future county appraisal engagements. Procurement staff will finalize the score sheet and signatures and will proceed with procurement rules, subject to the cone of silence and a future notice of intent to award if applicable.