ARMED SECURITY SERVICES

Aiken Technical College is seeking a comprehensive armed security services contract through the State Fiscal Accountability Authority, Division of State Procurement. The solicitation covers security services for the college's main campus in Graniteville, South Carolina, requiring seven-day, year-round coverage with a comprehensive security team consisting of one lead officer, four full-time officers, three part-time officers, and one special event officer. Required services include campus patrols, building access control, traffic control, emergency response coordination, and support for special events. Mandatory qualifications for vendors include current South Carolina security agency licensure within 200 miles of Aiken County, minimum five years of experience protecting major facilities, and compliance with State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) regulations. The procurement timeline requires questions to be submitted by April 2, 2024, at 4:00 PM EST, with sealed offers due by April 25, 2024, at 11:00 AM EST. A non-mandatory pre-bid conference was held on March 29, 2024, and award notification is scheduled for May 17, 2024. The contract will be awarded using a best value evaluation methodology, with weightings of 60% for price, 20% for approach/methodology, and 20% for qualifications, experience, and training plan.

The solicitation does not specify specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged businesses, though minority participation documentation is required. The incumbent security contractor is New Age Protection, Inc., which currently provides services at pay rates ranging from $15.00 to $18.00 per hour with corresponding bill rates of $22.50 to $27.00 per hour. The contract will have an initial one-year term with four optional one-year renewal periods, creating a potential five-year contract period from June 11, 2024, through June 10, 2029. Aiken Technical College will provide security carts, communication equipment, and cell phones, while the contractor must supply all other operational resources including uniforms, training, insurance, and specialized equipment. Minimum wage requirements are set at $20.00 per hour for supervisors, $18.00 for full-time officers, and $15.50 for part-time officers. The contractor must maintain comprehensive insurance coverage, including $1,000,000 in general liability, $1,000,000 in auto liability, and worker's compensation insurance. All security personnel must pass background investigations, drug screenings, and complete 20 hours of site-specific training along with required certifications.