Access Control Study, Recommendation, & Implementation of an Updated Access Card Reader System

The Barrow County School System is soliciting proposals for an Access Control Study, Recommendation, and Implementation of an Updated Access Card Reader System through a Request for Proposal (RFP) issued on January 12, 2026. The project requires a qualified contractor to conduct a comprehensive study of the existing LenelS2 Netbox Security Management system and provide recommendations for modernization. The scope includes replacing approximately 527 existing access control door readers and installing 56 new readers at specified classroom doorways to control ingress and egress. A mandatory pre-proposal conference will be held on January 26, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at the Professional Development Center in Winder, Georgia. Contractors may submit inquiries until 2:00 p.m. on February 2, 2026, with responses provided by February 4, 2026. Sealed proposals are due by 2:00 p.m. on February 9, 2026, with the contract commencing in early March 2026 and expected completion by June 30, 2026. Evaluation criteria include Response to Proposal (25%), Price (40%), Past Work in Public School Systems (10%), and Qualification to Perform Requested Work (25%).

The RFP requires contractors to be certified installers and resellers of chosen card reader products, with a minimum of $1,000,000 in general liability insurance and workers' compensation coverage meeting Georgia statutory requirements. Contractors must provide a 100% Performance Bond equal to the contract price and register with the E-Verify federal work authorization program. The project necessitates a three-year Software Upgrade and Support Plan if new software is required, along with a three-year service contract with static labor rates for future repairs and maintenance. While no specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises are mentioned, the evaluation criteria consider factors such as proximity to the district and company experience. The existing infrastructure involves a LenelS2 Netbox Security Management system, which will be studied and potentially modernized. Although a specific budget range is not explicitly stated, the comprehensive nature of the project, involving 583 total door readers and associated services, suggests a significant investment in school security infrastructure.