Fire and Security Alarm System Services

Sarasota County is soliciting bids for a term contract to provide comprehensive fire and security alarm system services across various county-owned and operated facilities in Florida. The contract, anticipated to last three years, encompasses monitoring, inspection, repair, installation, and maintenance of fire and security alarm systems, with a preference for equipment such as Silent Knight panels. The contractor must ensure systems comply with NFPA 72, State of Florida fire codes, OSHA, EPA regulations, local AHJ requirements, and manufacturer specifications. Services must be performed with minimal disruption, under county supervision with documented inspections, and include 24/7 emergency response availability. The scope includes system fault diagnosis, component replacement, rewiring, programming, and permit acquisition at the contractor’s expense, with no markups allowed on permit fees. All personnel must hold appropriate Florida DBPR licenses/certifications, undergo fingerprint-based CJIS background checks for secure facilities, and adhere strictly to facility access controls and security policies. The solicitation method is Invitation for Bids (IFB), utilizing a lowest price technically acceptable (LPTA) evaluation approach, emphasizing responsiveness, responsibility, and meeting minimum qualifications without trade-offs for technical superiority. Pricing details are based on a fee schedule submitted electronically via the County’s OpenGov procurement portal by the May 19, 2026 deadline. The contract mandates strict administrative protocols including submission of invoices referencing Work Order (WO) and Purchase Order (PO) numbers, compliance with insurance requirements, and coordination with County project management staff during inspections and installations. Contractor responsibilities extend to full packing, transportation, handling, and insurance of equipment prior to formal county acceptance, which occurs on-site at designated county locations. No standardized federal FAR clauses are explicitly incorporated; instead, customized county requirements prevail, including mandatory security clearances, key personnel qualifications, restricted subcontracting, strict control over equipment assets, and biannual security training. The solicitation also incorporates local business preference certification and requires verification of all proposed substitutions and pricing disclosures. Overall, the contract aims to maintain the safety and operational integrity of Sarasota County’s fire and security systems through a diligent, regulated, and competitively procured service arrangement.