Core Components of Contract Security RFPs

References, background checks and training are just some of the important features that should be included.

According to Glenn Rosenberg, vice president of higher education for Allied Barton, there are two approaches to procurement for contract security officer services. “One is to specify it very clearly, knowing exactly which post you want covered, the times of day and exactly how the security firm is going to work within your overall public safety function,” he says. With this type of RFP, the expectations and specifics must be clearly stated. This approach might work best if a campus is well established and knows what it wants.

The second type of proposal’s goal is to determine the relationship with the contract security provider. It’s a more exploratory, consultative way to develop a solution that will meet a campus’ needs.

Rosenberg prefers this approach, especially if the contractor is involved early in the process. “You’re going to have collaboration that will result in a higher quality product and service,” he says. “If you’re trying to create specs on your own and then asking a number of vendors to propose on that, you’ve commoditized the process. You might miss some of the value that a vendor could bring to you.”

For example, a vendor using this approach, which takes a wider view of the situation, might recommend an adjustment in security officer pay to improve recruitment and retention.

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About the Author

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Robin has been covering the security and campus law enforcement industries since 1998 and is a specialist in school, university and hospital security, public safety and emergency management, as well as emerging technologies and systems integration. She joined CS in 2005 and has authored award-winning editorial on campus law enforcement and security funding, officer recruitment and retention, access control, IP video, network integration, event management, crime trends, the Clery Act, Title IX compliance, sexual assault, dating abuse, emergency communications, incident management software and more. Robin has been featured on national and local media outlets and was formerly associate editor for the trade publication Security Sales & Integration. She obtained her undergraduate degree in history from California State University, Long Beach.

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