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Mercedes ISD board awards security guard contract to MLG Protection Services
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Summary
After hearing presentations from three vendors, Mercedes ISD administration recommended and the board approved awarding RFP #04-25-410 for security guard services to MLG Protection Services for the 2025–26 school year.
Mercedes ISD’s Board of Trustees voted to award the district’s security guard services RFP (No. 04-25-410) to MLG Protection Services after hearing presentations from three bidders and a period of board questions.
Administration recommended MLG Protection Services for the 2025–26 school year, citing the company’s large pool of guards, number of commissioned officers, vehicle availability and proposed canine and training resources. The board approved the recommendation following a motion by Trustee Rodriguez and a second from Trustee Trevino.
The three vendors that presented were MLG Protection Services, L4 Security Group and BlueLine Security Services. MLG owner Armando Garza said his company employs about 350 guards, of which he stated roughly 150 are armed; he described training programs (active-shooter instruction, tourniquet training, Narcan deployment plans) and said the company maintains seven patrol vehicles and a 24-hour dispatch. Garza said the company conducts monthly drug testing for employees and completes FBI fingerprint background checks prior to hiring. He also described having a certified narcotics/search canine available for some operations.
L4 Security’s client manager, identified as Alex, said the firm provides hands-on and annual recurrent training, uses TrackTik for timekeeping and accountability, and currently has about 50 local guards assigned in the valley and one marked vehicle dedicated to Mercedes ISD if contracted. BlueLine presenter Victor DuBene described a smaller operation (about 24–25 employees) with sworn officers among its leadership and emphasized SWAT and active-shooter training experience.
Board members pressed vendors on drug-testing frequency, the percentage of commissioned/armed officers, overtime practices and how quickly a replacement guard could be provided after a call-in. Vendors’ answers varied: MLG said drug testing was monthly and that the company would pay overtime rather than bill the district for certain situations; L4 reported annual testing and said it would provide replacements typically within an hour or two; BlueLine described a standby pool and requested 2–3 hours’ notice when possible.
Doctor Noyola, superintendent, told the board the recommendation favored MLG because of the size of its available guard pool and apparent capacity to staff daily assignments and extracurricular events without frequent contingency contracting. Trustee Rodriguez moved to approve administration’s recommendation; Trustee Trevino seconded and the motion carried.
The board’s action was limited to awarding the RFP; contract terms, final staffing rosters and start dates will be handled by district administration per the procurement documents.
