RFP Citywide Security Services

The City of Oakland Department of Public Works is soliciting proposals for citywide security services from qualified, licensed, and insured firms to provide armed and unarmed security across multiple City facilities, with proposals due August 31, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. PT and a mandatory pre-proposal meeting held August 5, 2026. The City applies a 50% Local/Small Local Business Enterprise (L/SLBE) participation requirement, with a minimum of 25% SLBE participation; self-performed work by a certified prime contractor counts toward this requirement.

The scope includes fixed-post security, armed screening operations at City Hall, roving patrols, emergency response teams, special event coverage, and fire watch assignments across Downtown facilities, Oakland Public Works Department facilities, Human Services Department facilities, Parks Recreation and Youth Development sites, and library locations. The baseline staffing requirement totals approximately 3,508 weekly hours across these locations, with 24/7 coverage at certain facilities and varying schedules at others. All security guards must hold current California Guard Cards; armed security personnel must have a minimum of four years' experience and a California firearm permit. Armed guards will operate X-ray screening equipment at City Hall.

The contract term is three years with two optional one-year extensions, contingent upon performance-based assessment. The City reserves the right to award to one or multiple firms and may divide the contract into separate Professional Services Agreements by facility category. Pricing must be submitted as all-inclusive hourly billing rates by labor category (armed guard, unarmed guard, supervisor, patrol officer, and others) with total annual costs for baseline services. During the initial three-year term, billing rates remain fixed except for annual adjustments tied to the Oakland Living Wage Ordinance, currently $18.26 per hour with health benefits or $20.97 without benefits as of July 1, 2026. All costs for training, equipment, fuel, and vehicles must be incorporated into hourly rates. The City withholds the final 10% of contract payments pending successful completion of work.

Evaluation assigns 20 points each to Relevant Experience and Qualifications, 5 points each to Organization and Approach, 40 points to Cost/Fee Proposal, 10 points to Other Factors, and up to 17.5 preference points for L/SLBE participation, business tenure in Oakland, and Oakland resident workforce composition. Union representation is required for security personnel. Compliance with the Living Wage and Sick Leave ordinances is mandatory; prevailing wage is not required. The anticipated award and contract start are Fall 2026. Addendum 3, issued August 27, 2026, is the current binding document.