DATE: January 6, 2026
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Sanja K. Bugay, Director, Department of Social Services
SUBJECT: Security Services Agreement with Good Guard Security Inc. for
Regional Locations
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Under Administrative Policy No. 34 for competitive bids or requests for proposals (AP 34), determine that an exception to the competitive bidding requirement under AP 34 is satisfied and a suspension of competition is warranted due to unusual or extraordinary circumstances, and that the best interests of the County would be served by entering into an Agreement with Good Guard Security Inc. as there is no feasible way to transition to a new vendor on such short notice without disrupting essential operations; and
2. Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute an Agreement with Good Guard Security Inc. for security services at the Department of Social Services’ Coalinga, Kerman, Reedley, and Selma buildings effective January 7, 2026, not to exceed one year, which includes a six-month base contract and one optional six-month extension, total not to exceed $355,544 (4/5 vote).
REPORT
There is no additional Net County Cost associated with the recommended action which will provide security services at the Department of Social Services regional centers. The regional centers serve as hubs for clients to receive services such as Medi-Cal, CalFresh, CalWORKs, Welfare to Work, Child Welfare, and Homeless General Relief. The recommended agreement will be funded with State and Federal funds and the required, budgeted Net County Cost. This item pertains to locations in District 4.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
If the Board does not approve the recommended action, the Department will not have a security services contract in place after January 6, 2026. The Department would coordinate with the General Services Department - Purchasing Division (GSD Purchasing) to develop an interim procurement or alternative solution, while simultaneously working on a permanent solution which could take approximately six to nine months to implement.
SUSPENSION OF COMPETITION/SOLE SOURCE CONTRACT:
It is requested that the County find under AP 34 that an exception to the competitive bidding requirement is satisfied, and a suspension of competition is warranted due to unusual or extraordinary circumstances, as no purchasing authority remains under the existing purchase order to onboard an alternative vendor. Good Guard has successfully served as DSS’s security services provider for the past three years and there is no feasible way to transition to a new vendor on such short notice without disrupting essential operations. This short-term agreement provides the necessary continuity of services while DSS and GSD Purchasing establish a new agreement. This approach ensures that there is no interruption to operations and that the safety and security of clients, staff, and all County assets remain in effect throughout the procurement process. GSD Purchasing concurs with the Department’s assessment that this satisfies the exception to the competitive bidding process required by AP 34.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. The Agreement maximum amount is $355,544 and will be offset with State and Federal Social Services funds ($305,382), 2011 Realignment ($22,522) in lieu of State General Fund for Child Welfare Services and Adult Protective Services programs that were realigned to counties through Assembly Bill (AB) 118, 1991 Social Services Realignment ($24,549), and the required Net County Cost ($3,091) which offsets the General Relief program share of cost. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues are included in the FY 2025-26 Adopted Budget for the Department of Social Services Org 5610 and will be included in subsequent budget requests.
DISCUSSION:
The Department of Social Services (DSS) operates four regional centers at 311 Coalinga Plaza, Coalinga; 15180 W. Whitesbridge, Kerman; 1201 E. Manning Avenue, Reedley; and 3830 MaCall, Selma. The four centers serve as hubs for clients to receive services such as Medi-Cal, CalFresh, CalWORKs, Welfare to Work, Child Welfare, and Homeless General Relief.
Good Guard was selected through a Request for Quotation (RFQ) No. 22-023 for security services issued on November 8, 2021, through GSD Purchasing. The Board approved agreement, A-22-161, for an initial three-year term with optional two-year extension with an effective date of July 1, 2022.
Prior to the expiration of the three-year initial term, Good Guard informed DSS that they would not continue beyond the initial term. As a result, the contract concluded on June 30, 2025. Good Guard cited increased labor costs and requested a 28% rate increase as a condition for extension. However, such an adjustment is not permissible under agreement A-22-161. In consultation with GSD Purchasing, a purchase agreement from July 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025, was established with the existing vendor, pending a new competitively bid agreement. A Request for Quotation was released and closed on November 10, 2025; however, GSD Purchasing found issues based on proposals received and requested the Department to reissue the Request for Quotation. Additional time is needed for DSS and GSD Purchasing to establish a new agreement.
The Department’s regional offices have approximately 200 staff and serve approximately 8,000 clients each month, representing a highly diverse population with varying needs. Given the volume and sensitivity of the services provided, consistent and reliable security presence is essential to ensure a safe environment for clients and staff.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #45, April 19, 2022
BAI #71, July 11, 2017
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
Suspension of Competition Acquisition Request
On file with Clerk - Agreement with Good Guard Security Inc.
CAO ANALYST:
Ronald Alexander