Professional Security Services for Persons-Served, Employees, and Visitors of Ellisville State School

INVITATION FOR BIDS
IFB 2026-10
RFx #3160008304
Professional Security Services
Issue Date:
October 28, 2026
CLOSING DATE and TIME:
Bids must be received by:
January 4, 2027, 4:30 PM, CST
Ellisville State School
Administration Building 1
1101 Highway 11 South
Ellisville, Mississippi 39437
BID COORDINATOR:
Armendia Pierce
Telephone: (601) 477-5615
E-mail: Armendia.Pierce@ess.ms.gov

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
Section 1 - Background, Authority, and Purpose
Ellisville State School (hereinafter "Agency") has issued this invitation for the purpose of soliciting sealed bids
from qualified vendors to provide Professional Security Services. The Agency would like assistance in providing
qualified and experienced security guards for the safeguarding of the Persons-served of the Agency, Agency
employees, and Visitors.
Ellisville State School is a state-operated regional program providing comprehensive services to persons with
intellectual and developmental disabilities. The program is under the jurisdiction of the Mississippi Board of
Mental Health. Administratively, it is in the Bureau of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities division of the
Mississippi Department of Mental Health. The Agency offers services to people in a residential setting and
provides an array of programs and services in the community through the Community Services System.
Section 2 - Timeline
IFB Issue Date October 28, 2026
Mandatory Pre-Bid Conference November 17, 2026, 10:00 AM CST
Deadline to submit Questions via email November 17, 2026, 4:30 PM CST
Questions with Answers Amendment Distribution November 23, 2026, 10:00 AM CST
Bid Package Submission Deadline January 4, 2027, 4:30 PM, CST
Bid Opening January 5, 2027, 10:00 AM, CST
Anticipated Date of the January 8, 2027 4:30 PM, CST
Notice of Intent to Award
Anticipated January 13, 2027, 4:30 PM, CST
Reconsideration of the Intent to Award
Anticipated Contract Start July 1, 2027
Section 3 - Questions or Requests for Clarification
3.1 Please email all questions to Armendia Pierce at armendia.pierce@ess.ms.gov.
Instructions for emailing questions:
Subject Line of the Email: IFB Security Services RFx 3160008304 -Questions
Please format the questions in this manner:
Page 2 of 50
IFB 2026-10, RFx 3160008304 - Professional Security Services

Question 1 IFB Section Number, Page Number, the question
Question 2 IFB Section Number, Page Number, the question
Official responses will be provided only for questions submitted as described above and only to clarify
information already included in the IFB. The identity of the organization submitting the question(s) will not
be revealed. All questions and answers will be published on the Mississippi Contract/Procurement
Opportunity Search Portal website and the Agency's websites as an amendment to the IFB by the date and
time reflected in Section 2.
3.2 The Agency will not be bound by any verbal or written information that is not contained within this IFB
unless formally noticed and issued by the contact person as an IFB amendment. Bidders are cautioned that
any statements made by Agency personnel that materially change any portion of the bid document shall not
be relied upon unless subsequently ratified by a formal written amendment to the bid document.
3.3 All vendor communications regarding this IFB must be directed to the Bid Coordinator/Procurement Officer.
Any questions or requests for clarification must be submitted in writing. Unauthorized contact regarding the
IFB with other employees of the Agency may result in the vendor being disqualified, and the vendor may
also be suspended or disbarred from doing business in the State.
3.4 A mandatory Pre-Bid Conference will be held at 10:00 a.m. CST on Tuesday, November 17, 2026 in the
Administration 1 Building Conference Room of Ellisville State School campus. 1101 Highway 11 South,
Ellisville, MS 39437
3.5 Attachments to the IFB
All Attachments to this IFB are fully incorporated into the IFB.
3.6 Acknowledgement of Amendments: Upon the issuing of any amendment to the IFB, the amendment will
be posted on the Mississippi Contract/Procurement Opportunity Search Portal website and the Agency's
website in a manner that all bidders will be able to view. Further, bidders must acknowledge receipt of
every amendment to the solicitation by signing and returning the amendment with the bid package, by
identifying the amendment number and date in the space provided for this purpose on the bid form, or by
letter. The acknowledgment should be received by the Agency by the time, date, and at the place specified
for receipt of bids. It is the bidder's sole responsibility to monitor the websites for any updates or
amendments to the IFB.
3.7 Request for Reconsideration of the Terms of the Solicitation: Any potential Vendor may request that
Ellisville State School reconsider the solicitation terms. This reconsideration request can be accomplished
by reference to Section 5.2.4 of the Public Procurement Review Board Office of Personal Service Contract
Review Rules and Regulations. The Potential Vendor shall file any such request within three (3) business days
following the date of public notice of the solicitation. The potential Vendor must submit the included form,
Attachment J. The form shall be submitted to the Agency Procurement Official/Bid Coordinator AND the
Director of the Office of Office of Personal Service Contract Review (OPSCR), as defined in Section 5.2.1 of
the PPRB OPSCR Rules and Regulations. It shall be the responsibility of the vendor to ensure the request is
timely received by all required parties. Failure to timely request reconsideration in compliance with this
Section results in waiver of any claim regarding the terms of the solicitation.
Page 3 of 50
IFB 2026-10, RFx 3160008304 - Professional Security Services

3.8 Cancellation of Solicitation or Rejection of Individual Bids
At the Agency's sole discretion, an IFB may be cancelled or any or all responses to the solicitation may be
rejected, in whole or in part, when the Agency determines that this action is in the Agency's best interest.
3.9 Contract Rights
Contract rights do not vest in any party until a contract is legally executed. The Agency is under no obligation
to award a contract following issuance of this solicitation.
3.10 Property Rights
Property rights do not inure to any Bidder until such time as services have been provided under a legally
executed contract. No party responding to this IFB has a legitimate claim of entitlement to be awarded a
contract or to the provision of work thereunder. The Ellisville State School is under no obligation to award
a contract and may terminate a legally executed contract at any time.
Section 4 - Scope of Services and Requirements
The Agency invites bids for uniformed, unarmed security services by foot patrol. Foot patrol may include
the use of motorized and non-motorized means of transportation as provided by Agency (such as golf-cart,
Segway, bicycle, etc.).
Security guard services are to be provided in three shifts, with staff numbers provided as needed by the
Agency: (1) A-Shift - 6:00 am - 2:30 pm CST (2) B-Shift - 2:00 pm - 10:30 pm, CST (3) C-Shift - 10:00 pm -
6:30 am CST. The Agency requires security 24 hours a day 7 days a week, including holidays. Bidders must
enter the hourly price for each of the regular shifts, overtime, and holidays for one guard; bidders must
also enter the price for each additional guard for all of the time categories.
Services to be provided include, but are not limited to, safeguarding the Persons-served of the Agency,
Agency employees and Visitors. Examples of services to be provided include, but are not limited to, the
following: allowing only authorized persons access onto the campus; issue visitor passes at the front
gate, maintaining an activity log (electronic or paper) in accordance with Agency requirements (such as
accepting UPS, FedEx, or other package deliveries); monitoring and investigating all internal alarm
systems (such as fire); checking to ensure all entrances and exits are secure at the end of the day;
deterring acts of vandalism, graffiti, burglary, trespassing, and other hazardous, criminal, or
unauthorized activities; conducting security patrols in accordance with the routes and schedules
established in the post orders; responding to calls regarding fires, bomb threats, or any other emergency
situations; roving patrol of property to detect and prevent criminal or unauthorized activities; and
monitoring the employee parking area which may require a security guard to be stationed outside.
Additional services may be required by the Agency. Awarded Contractor must have a field supervisor
on-call twenty-four (24) hours a day to manage any security issues which arise.
The Awarded Contractor will perform and complete, in a timely and satisfactory manner, the services
described in Attachment "K", captioned "Scope of Services", which is attached hereto and made a part
hereof by reference.
Page 4 of 50
IFB 2026-10, RFx 3160008304 - Professional Security Services

4.1 Minimum Requirements for Security Guards
4.1.1 Any security guard provided must have a minimum of two (2) years' experience as a security
officer, or two (2) years' experience in a branch of law enforcement or other type of protective
service.
4.1.2 The security guards must be capable and trained to handle any and all incidents in a legal and
professional manner.
4.1.3 Any security guard provided must have undergone a thorough criminal background check
including, but not limited to: fingerprint check, criminal records check, sex offender registration
records check, and drug screening at the contractor's expense and prior to hire. Proof of the
criminal background check must be provided to the Contracting Agency upon written request.
4.1.4 Any armed security guard provided must be authorized to carry weapons in the State of
Mississippi with a copy of the weapon permit provided to the hiring agency. All weapon permits
should be current and maintained in accordance with the contract. Contracting Agency may have
additional weapon qualification requirements as identified by the Agency in the contract.
4.1.5 Location of Work: The work is to be performed, completed, and managed at the following location:
Ellisville State School 1101 Highway 11 South, Ellisville, MS 39437
4.2 Contract Deliverables
Upon execution of an approved contract for Security Services with the Contracting Agency, the Awarded
Contractor shall:
4.2.1 Assign an Account Representative to work directly with the designated Agency Representative
managing the contract;
4.2.2 Designate a contact person for communication with Contracting Agency who is available twenty-four
(24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week, three hundred and sixty-five (365) days per year; at the
discretion of the Contracting Agency, the Awarded Contractor may designate more than one person
to meet this requirement;
4.2.3 Provide the required number of qualified, competent, well-trained, drug-free, and appropriately
dressed security guards to perform the required duties during the required shifts, seven (7) days a
week, including weekends and holidays, as needed;
4.2.4 Ensure that the contract security guard understands work commitments and reports to work at the
time and place specified by the Contracting Agency;
4.2.5 Fulfill agency requests for security guard(s) within twenty-four (24) hours of request;
Page 5 of 50
IFB 2026-10, RFx 3160008304 - Professional Security Services

4.2.6 Replace any security guard(s) not performing to the satisfaction of the Contracting Agency within
forty-eight (48) hours of receiving a replacement request from the Contracting Agency and at no
additional expense to the Contracting Agency;
4.2.7 Maintain a sufficient pool of qualified security guards that is large enough that if, for any reason, the
scheduled security guard does not report for duty or must be replaced, the Awarded Contractor is
able to provide a replacement security guard to the Contracting Agency within two (2) hours of
notification;
4.2.8 Ensure that security guard(s) do not vacate their post during or at the end of their shift unless relieved
by appropriate duty personnel, and arrange for replacement personnel for shift changes, breaks, and
for unanticipated events (i.e. illness, family emergency, etc.);
4.2.9 Ensure that no security guard or supervisors work more than twelve (12) hours including any and all
breaks, in a twenty-four (24) hour period; the Contracting Agency, in an emergency situation, can
waive this requirement when the circumstances are beyond the control of the Awarded Contractor;
4.2.10 Evaluate the security guard's experience and credentials prior to offering their service to the
Contracting Agency to ensure that all security guards meet the State of Mississippi's credentials
standards.
4.2.11 At the request of the Contracting Agency, arrange for a Contracting Agency to interview any security
guard who may be placed at the Contracting Agency for up to one hour at the Awarded Contractor's
expense.
4.2.12 If requested by the Contracting Agency, arrange for contract security guards to attend Agency-
specific orientation, not to exceed two (2) hours, prior to beginning first assignment, if requested by
the Contracting Agency (in which case , licensing must be provided prior to orientation);
4.2.13 Ensure that contract security guards fully comply with the Contracting Agency's policies and
procedures, the applicable standards for care, Joint Commission standards, and all applicable
regulations as now existing or as may be modified.
4.2.14 Provide an Abuse Registry Check for all employees placed at the Contracting Agency;
4.2.15 Conduct periodic drug testing of security personnel at the Awarded Contractor's expense throughout
the year (at a minimum of twice per year) and provide copies of the results as required by the
Contracting Agency;
4.2.16 The Awarded Contractor's personnel that are assigned to the Contracting Agency shall complete a
criminal background check. The background check shall be according to the State of Mississippi's
required criminal background check [MS Code 43-11-13 (2025)]. The results of the background
check shall be presented to the Contracting Agency:
Page 6 of 50
IFB 2026-10, RFx 3160008304 - Professional Security Services

4.2.17 before the employee reports to the assignment;
4.2.18 In addition, this criminal background check shall be administered every two years;
4.2.18.1 The Awarded Contractor is also required to submit for each placed security guard:
4.2.18.1.1 Results from a drug screening performed prior to hire that verify the employee is drug free;
4.2.18.1.2 A copy of CPR certification for the employee
4.2.18.1.3 A copy of current license for the employee as applicable prior to or upon sign-in for the scheduled shift.
4.2.19 Awarded Contractors must abide by all policies, procedures, and laws pertaining to the Contracting
Agency's operation at all times, including, but not limited to:
4.2.19.1 All state facilities are non-smoking; the Awarded Contractor and its personnel shall
adhere to this requirement. The use of tobacco products is prohibited, except within
designated smoking areas.
4.2.19.2 It is illegal to have in one's possession any illegal drug or alcoholic beverage while on state
property; the Awarded Contractor's personnel shall comply with all State laws while on
Agency property.
4.2.19.3 The Awarded Contractor's employees should refrain from using foul, abusive, or profane
language on state property.
4.2.19.4 The Awarded Contractor's personnel shall not flirt or fraternize with Agency personnel or
any visitor with the Agency.
4.2.19.5 The Awarded Contractor's personnel shall not solicit or otherwise interfere with the work
of Agency employees.
4.2.19.6 The Awarded Contractor's personnel shall not engage in personal activities such as, but
not limited to, texting, personal phone calls, or reading magazines while on the job and shall
comply with the Agency's restrictions regarding visitation with friends, family members, or
acquaintances while on the job.
4.2.19.7 The Contracting Agency reserves the right to inspect and search Awarded Contractor's
personnel and/or vehicles anytime while on facility grounds.
4.2.19.8 The Awarded Contractor's personnel are required to sign-in and sign-out at most state
facilities. Security provisions for all state facilities must be strictly observed by the Awarded
Contractor.
Page 7 of 50
IFB 2026-10, RFx 3160008304 - Professional Security Services

4.2.19.9 Be responsible for all damages and shall be held responsible for replacing or repairing any
damage due to negligence on the part of the Awarded Contractor or Awarded Contractor's
personnel to any person(s) and/or property. The Awarded Contractor shall replace and
repair any damage to any building or property, including but not limited to the replacement
of any cracked or broken concrete (sidewalks, curbs, etc.) caused by on-site activities. The
Contracting Agency may withhold payment or make such deductions as deemed necessary
to ensure reimbursement or replacement for loss or damage to property.
4.2.19.10 Exercise precautions at all times for the protection of people (including employees) and
property. The Awarded Contractor shall make such investigations to enable them to fully
understand the facilities, difficulties, and restrictions attending the execution of the work
on-site. The delivered services shall always be properly supervised and adequately manned
by experienced personnel. All work shall be accomplished by skilled workers familiar with
and trained to do this type of work. Personnel shall be qualified to operate and/or use the
equipment necessary to accomplish this work. The Awarded Contractor shall be responsible
for the supervision and direction of the work performed by its personnel. The Awarded
Contractor shall be responsible for instructing its personnel in all safety measures. All
equipment used by the Awarded Contractor shall be maintained in safe operating condition
at all times and be free from defects or wear that may in any way constitute a hazard to any
person or persons on state property. All incidents involving the Contracting Agency's
property or personnel shall be reported to the designated Agency contact immediately upon
occurrence.
4.2.19.11 Abide by all State and/or Agency policies, procedures, ordinances, and/or laws pertaining
to the Contracting Agency's operation at all times, including but not limited to the items
listed above. Deviations from these policies by the Awarded Contractor or its personnel will
not be tolerated and will be considered grounds for contract termination.
4.2.19.12 Perform all services provided in the contract between the Awarded Contractor and the
Contracting Agency in accordance with customary and reasonable industry standards as well
as in strict conformance to all laws, statutes, and ordinances and the applicable rules,
regulations, methods and procedures of all government boards, bureaus, offices, and other
agencies. No statement within this IFB shall negate compliance with any applicable
governing regulation. The absence of detail specifications or the omission of detail
description shall be recognized as meaning that only the best commercial practices are to
prevail.
Page 8 of 50
IFB 2026-10, RFx 3160008304 - Professional Security Services

4.3 The Awarded Contractor shall also:
4.3.1 Administer and maintain all employment and payroll records, payroll processing, and payment of
payroll checks and taxes, including the deductions required by state, federal, and local laws such as
social security and withholding taxes for their business and employees. It is the sole responsibility
of the Awarded Contractor to be in compliance with laws or regulations requiring an employer to
withhold and/or pay employment-related taxes or withholdings required by law;
4.3.2 Make all unemployment compensation contributions as required by federal and state law(s) and
process claims as required for their business and employees;
4.3.3 Ensure that the contract professional security guard understands work commitments and reports to
work at the time and place specified by the Contracting Agency;
4.3.4 Replace immediately, at no additional expense to the Contracting Agency, any employee performing
unsatisfactorily;
4.3.5 Ensure that the security guard(s) are in complete uniform and are well-groomed at all times;
4.3.6 Provide all materials, serviceable firearms, ammunition, nightsticks, serviceable flashlights, rain gear,
uniforms which are clean, in good repair, easily recognizable, and identify the security guard as an
employee of the contractor, and any other miscellaneous equipment which may be needed;
Page 9 of 50
IFB 2026-10, RFx 3160008304 - Professional Security Services

Section 5 - Basis for Award
5.1 All bids will be reviewed first to determine whether a vendor is responsive, responsible, and/or acceptable.
Requirements are not assigned a point percentage and/or score but are instead simply recorded as PASS or
FAIL. Bids with errors that do not alter the substance of the bid can be accepted, and the Agency Chief
Procurement Officer may allow the bidder to correct the problem prior to review as long as the irregularities
are insignificant mistakes that can be waived or corrected without prejudice to other bidders.
5.2 The Agency has the right to waive minor defects or variations of a bid from the exact requirements of the
specifications that do not affect the price, quality, quantity, delivery, or performance time of the services
being procured. If insufficient information is submitted by a bidder with the bid for the Agency to properly
evaluate the bid, the Agency has the right to require such additional information as it may deem necessary
after the time set for receipt of bids, provided that the information requested does not change the price,
quality, quantity, delivery, or performance time of the services being procured.
5.3 Any bid which is conditioned upon receiving award of both the particular contract being solicited and
another Mississippi contract shall be deemed non-responsive and not acceptable.
5.4 All bids which are determined to be responsive, responsible, and/or acceptable will continue on to the price
bid or cost evaluation.
5.5 The Agency intends to award one (1) contract to provide the services described in this IFB to the lowest
responsible and responsive bidder.
5.6 Bid Evaluation Process: For each responsive and responsible bidder, Ellisville State School will calculate the
average of the hourly rates for the shift/overtime/holiday prices for one guard, plus the average of the
hourly rates for each additional guard. Ellisville State School will then choose the lowest bidder.
Page 10 of 50
IFB 2026-10, RFx 3160008304 - Professional Security Services