Working in the Edge of Chaos Training

The County of Orange, Sheriff-Coroner Department is issuing an Invitation for Bid (IFB) for the procurement of "Working in the Edge of Chaos Training," a specialized law enforcement training program designed to enhance critical incident response capabilities. The County seeks qualified vendors to deliver a comprehensive 80-hour course consisting of two California POST-certified components: a 48-hour Critical Incident Management/Working in the Edge of Chaos Part 1 (CCN 24190) and a 32-hour Critical Incident Management-Advanced/Working in the Edge of Chaos Part 2 (CCN 24193). The training is intended to teach incident commanders and decision-makers the knowledge, skills, and attitudes required to respond effectively to critical incidents in chaotic environments, with instruction to accommodate up to 18 County employees through a combination of classroom instruction, activities, and reality-based emergency scenarios. The contractor's deliverables include all aspects of course delivery—preparation, presentation, and follow-up—as well as provision of training materials, POST roster submission, and issuance of certificates of completion. Training is scheduled for February 23-27, 2026 (Week 1) and March 23-26, 2026 (Week 2), with an additional 8-hour online module component; the training location will be an Orange County Sheriff's Department facility to be mutually agreed upon by the parties. All bids must be submitted electronically through the County's eProcurement Portal by February 11, 2026, at 12:00 p.m., with the contract to be awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder on a firm, fixed-price basis. The County reserves the right to negotiate final contract terms with the lowest responsive and responsible bidder and to defer award for up to 180 days with price guarantees.

The County offers a five percent (5%) preference deduction (maximum $100,000) for certified Orange County Local Small Business (OCLSB) or Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) bidders; if an OCLSB or DVBE is the lowest bidder, the contract will be awarded at their original bid price without the preference applied. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are identified in the solicitation materials. Upon award notification, the contractor must submit evidence of valid insurance coverage, including Commercial General Liability ($1,000,000 per occurrence; $2,000,000 aggregate), Automobile Liability ($1,000,000 combined single limit), Workers' Compensation (statutory), and Employers Liability Insurance ($1,000,000 per accident or disease), as well as certificates of insurance with additional insured endorsements. The contractor must also provide current signed W-9 or 587/590 Forms for out-of-state vendors, maintain valid DUNS and Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) numbers, and submit performance and labor and material payment bonds. Compensation is structured as a firm fixed-fee contract with pricing broken into two line items covering evaluation services and administrative costs including all student handouts and materials; the specific contract amount is not disclosed in the solicitation documents, though the pricing structure requires that quoted prices be equal to or less than those offered to any other local, state, or federal government entity for services of equal or lesser scope. Bids remain valid for 365 days after the solicitation closing date, and the initial contract term is one calendar year from execution with no automatic renewal unless approved by the County Board of Supervisors.