Security Guard Services for Portage County Courthouse

Portage County, Wisconsin is seeking a qualified contractor to provide unarmed security guard services for the Portage County Courthouse through a Request for Proposal (RFP). The primary objective is to secure a single point of access with one security guard stationed during standard operating hours from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The selected vendor will be responsible for visitor and employee identification verification, conducting x-ray and metal detector screenings, incident reporting, and providing support to on-duty Sheriff's deputies. Mandatory qualifications include at least one year of security guard services experience, valid permits and licenses for all guards, compliance with Wisconsin training certifications, and specific insurance coverage. A mandatory pre-proposal site visit is scheduled for January 22, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., with written questions due by January 26, 2026, and proposals due by 2:00 p.m. on February 10, 2026. The evaluation will include a pricing component, with maximum points awarded to the lowest cost proposal, and interviews and presentations are estimated for March 4-5, 2026.

The RFP does not specify any specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. The contract term is anticipated to start between May and October 2026 and extend through December 31, 2029, with an optional three-year renewal possible by mutual agreement. Proposers must provide fixed pricing for the entire contract period, with a cost proposal detailing hourly rates and annual fees. The estimated hours are 1,260 for the partial 2026 year and 2,520 for each full year. The contractor must maintain sufficient qualified personnel for emergency staffing needs and is responsible for providing uniforms, equipment, and daily activity reporting to the Sheriff's Office. While the exact budget is not specified, the proposal requires commercial liability insurance of one million dollars and includes worker's compensation coverage. The county anticipates announcing intent to award in mid-March 2026 and finalizing the contract award in late March 2026.