Preemployment Background Investigation and Verification Services - IFB 26C053000

The California Department of Highway Patrol (CHP) is soliciting bids through Invitation for Bids (IFB) Number 26C053000 for preemployment background investigation and verification services for uniformed, nonuniformed sensitive, and public safety dispatcher/operator positions across all CHP divisions statewide. The contractor will conduct approximately 1,700 background investigations annually in compliance with POST and CHP standards, with investigations categorized into three tiers: Tier 1 and Tier 3 at $500 per investigation, and Tier 2 at $2,000 per investigation. Qualified bidders must hold valid Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS) licenses, current business licenses, and National Institute of Truth Verification certifications, with a minimum of four years of experience providing background investigation services and documented capability to complete at least 1,000 peace officer background investigations annually. Contractors must maintain a physical office location compliant with BSIS requirements, ensure all investigators have completed 32-hour POST-certified background investigation courses, and provide letters of recommendation from at least three current or prior law enforcement agencies. Questions must be submitted by March 16, 2026 at 11:00 AM, with bids due March 24, 2026 at 1:00 PM and bid opening at 1:30 PM the same day. The contract term runs from July 1, 2026 to October 31, 2027, with an anticipated start date of July 1, 2026 or upon Department of General Services approval, whichever is later, and CHP reserves the right to extend the agreement term as necessary to complete services subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability.

Although DVBE participation requirements have been waived for this solicitation, bidders utilizing certified Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise subcontractors are eligible for incentive preferences up to 5 percent of the lowest responsive bid or $100,000, whichever is less. Small business and micro-business bidders are also eligible for up to 5 percent preference consideration. No incumbent vendor information is provided in the solicitation documents. The total agreement is budgeted at $6,798,000 for the 16-month contract period; however, CHP makes no commitment to the number of services required and will only pay for actual services rendered based on the tiered pricing structure. The budget represents an estimated value based on anticipated annual investigation volumes but is not guaranteed, with final compensation dependent on actual demand for background investigation services throughout the contract term.