DBI moves ahead on permit-tracking RFP and delays address-change bulletin for more implementation work

The San Francisco Building Inspection Commission on Nov. 17 heard updates on a draft request for proposals (RFP) for a new permit-tracking system and agreed to continue consideration of Administrative Bulletin AB035 on street-number assignments until staff address implementation and staffing concerns.

Pamela Levin, Deputy Director for Administrative Services, told the commission that DBI completed a draft RFP in mid‑October and has circulated it to internal reviewers including purchasing (OCA), the city attorney, the Human Rights Commission and the joint coordinating committee. She said the department hopes to issue the RFP in December and give respondents about six weeks to reply. "We're hoping, depending, of course, on people's

—the people that we're counting on to help us do the final reviews, hoping to issue this by the December," Levin said.

Levin described procurement safeguards: subject‑matter technical experts will evaluate vendor demonstrations, and evaluators will be separated from the staff who write the RFP to avoid conflicts. She said DBI and Planning together have roughly $7,000,000 set aside to support the project, with DBI expected to fund the enterprise license under an existing MOU.

Concerns from commissioners centered on the technical specifications, who would lead negotiations for DBI and how the new system would automate notifications to other city bodies. Levin said she is taking the lead for DBI and is coordinating closely with Planning staff, including Isabelle Voulas, identified as a Planning Department deputy‑director role in the discussion.

The commission also spent substantial time on AB035, an administrative bulletin that would clarify how street numbers are assigned or changed and require tenant notification when changes could affect occupancy or tenancy records. Willie Yao, Manager of the Technical Service Division, described material edits that add who may request new numbers and require tenants and other affected parties be notified. "Currently, that is the process has been in place, and I think this —ffort by the director is really trying to address the tenants notification user," Yao said.

Multiple commissioners said the department needs a staffed, front‑end process before adopting the bulletin. They cited a recent case in which a long‑time employee who handled address changes retired and knowledge was not transferred. Commissioners worried that address changes could erase tenancy histories used in rent‑control enforcement and urged implementation details — including links to the assessor and access for the Rent Board — be locked in before AB035 is enacted. The commission voted to continue AB035 to the next meeting to allow staff to present a clarified operational plan.

Public commenters raised specific complaints about alleged erroneous permits and address changes that affected longstanding tenants. One commenter, who identified himself as Harlan Hoffman, said a permit for 20 First Street may have "been issued in error" and requested a department review; DBI staff said they would investigate and provide an update in the next director's report.

What happens next: DBI intends to finish internal reviews of the RFP with the city attorney and the Human Rights Commission and bring a finalized draft back through the joint coordinating committee; staff aim to issue the RFP in December. The AB035 bulletin will be continued so staff can present implementation details and staffing plans at the following meeting.