Fire Department Background Investigation Services

The Santa Monica Fire Department (SMFD) is soliciting bids for comprehensive personnel background investigation services to support its hiring process for various fire department positions. The procurement covers two distinct background investigation types: Ambulance Operator Background and Firefighter Background, with an annual volume of approximately 30 Ambulance Operator and 10-15 Firefighter backgrounds. The Ambulance Operator Background involves initial phone contact, document review, Livescan results analysis, and a final written summary, while the Firefighter Background requires a more extensive evaluation of applicant characteristics, including detailed reviews of military records, marital history, credit history, employment history, references, criminal background, education, residency, and driving history. Vendors must comply with POST "Background Investigators Manual" standards and possess specific qualifications, including POST certification for primary investigators, significant public safety background investigation experience, and a minimum of 10 years of municipal firefighter background investigation expertise. Electronic bids must be submitted through the City's e-Procurement Portal by December 17, 2025, at 3:00 pm Pacific Time, with bid results to be posted on the same portal. Bidders are required to provide unit costs for both background investigation types and comply with Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act and California Investigative Consumer Reporting Act regulations.

The contract opportunity does not specify explicit set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. The City of Santa Monica reserves the right to extend the contract for two additional one-year renewal periods under the same pricing, terms, and conditions. Vendors must meet substantial insurance requirements, including $1,000,000 in Commercial General Liability, $1,000,000 in Automobile Liability, and Workers' Compensation with statutory limits. If the contract award exceeds $54,200 annually, it will be subject to the City's Living Wage Ordinance, mandating a minimum wage of $22.50 per hour for covered employees. While specific budget ranges are not explicitly detailed, the pricing proposal requires unit cost submissions for 30 Ambulance Operator Backgrounds and 15 Firefighter Backgrounds. Payment terms are net thirty days from delivery and invoice receipt, and all work product will become the exclusive property of the City. The contract will include standard indemnification clauses, with the contractor responsible for defending the City against potential liability claims arising from their services.