EPPC seeks armed security guard services.

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) is seeking armed security guard services for the El Paso Psychiatric Center (EPPC), located in El Paso County and El Paso City. The procurement is a formal Invitation for Bid (IFB No. HHS0016043_V2) for 24/7 security coverage of the facility's parking lot area, with the initial contract term running from award date through August 31, 2025. Bidders must meet stringent qualifications, including five years of company experience, three years of personnel experience, security guard certifications (levels 2 and 3), and specific expertise in psychiatric hospital settings. Guards are required to protect the facility and individuals from physical harm, verbal abuse, threats, violence, theft, vandalism, and trespassing, with specific duties including maintaining daily activity reports, preventing unauthorized access, and responding to potential conflicts by de-escalating situations or contacting local law enforcement. Key evaluation criteria include meeting specifications, performance capabilities, and pricing, with bidders required to submit comprehensive documentation including guard certifications, licenses, experience records, and references. The solicitation timeline includes bid posting on May 8, 2025, questions due by May 16, 2025, and final bid responses due on May 27, 2025, at 10:30 AM CST.

The procurement does not explicitly specify set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises, but requires extensive operational and financial documentation from potential vendors. Bidders must demonstrate organizational capabilities, including years in business, number of employees, customer service capacity, and financial solvency. Insurance requirements are comprehensive, encompassing workers' compensation, commercial general liability, automobile liability, professional liability, and umbrella liability coverage. The pricing structure requires firm, fixed hourly rates with a potential range between 0.0 and 200,000.0, though specific budget allocations are not detailed in the documents. All security personnel must be at least 18 years old and possess Crisis Prevention and Intervention Certification. Submission methods include mail, email (pcs.bids@hhsc.state.tx.us), or the HHS Online Bid Room, with faxed submissions explicitly prohibited. Bidders must navigate a two-step registration process for the Enterprise Portal and obtain specific HHS Online Bid Room credentials, with registration potentially taking up to five business days.