Hillsborough County panel finalizes scores for library security risk assessment RFP

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY — An evaluation committee convened virtually on a recorded meeting to finalize scoring for Request for Proposals RFP 2424-865, a solicitation for a security risk assessment for the Library Services Department.

Sakina Ford, the county’s chief buyer, opened the meeting and said, “This is the 2nd Evaluation Committee meeting and possible scoring for request for proposals RFP 2424 865 for security risk assessment for the library services department.” For the record, Ford also confirmed the meeting was publicly noticed and recorded.

The committee reviewed 13 proposals, two of which — Paladin Defense Group Inc. and Resilient Digital Ecosystems — were deemed unacceptable, and the remaining 11 were rescored or their original scores confirmed. The panel re-evaluated Guidepost Solutions and Rosen Security Consulting based on oral presentations and the two specific scoring criteria that the committee had been tasked to weigh: (1) proposers’ understanding of scope and technical approach, including project plan and timeline (35 points), and (2) proposers’ organization and staff qualifications and relevant experience (35 points).

Committee members emphasized experience and a risk-based, multi-layered approach. Jennifer Cable, project manager of safety and security for Library Services, led the discussion summarizing Rosen Security Consulting’s presentation, noting the team’s experience on more than 200 assessments and a focus on prevention, branch-level risk prioritization, and ongoing support. Cable also described Rosen’s planned project-management access for the county and a two-report deliverable structure (an individual report per library plus an organizational summary).

Committee members said Guidepost Solutions highlighted similar elements: local office presence, a four-element methodology addressing physical, operational, technology and environment/workplace factors, nighttime assessments, and use of perception surveys for staff and the public. Committee members noted Guidepost’s inclusion of behavioral-health specialists to advise on policy or training and its project-management tools for tracking progress.

After discussion, the committee left both Guidepost Solutions and Rosen Security Consulting at their prior high marks (Guidepost retained a final total score of 78.63; Rosen retained 78.55). The panel read a roll-up of final total scores for all proposers; the committee indicated agreement with the tallies and directed staff to prepare the scoring sheets for signatures and an executive summary with recommendations for the procurement file.

The committee did not take a formal recorded public vote; members indicated consensus on the final tallies and next steps. Ford said she would prepare the signed scoring sheet and the executive summary for the record.

The committee also noted logistics discussed during presentations — project timelines designed to fit a six-month assessment window (with potential two- to three-week extensions if more libraries were added), biweekly or weekly progress meetings, and the prospective use of crime-data tools and project-management platforms to share status updates with county staff.

The meeting concluded after the committee confirmed consensus on scoring and directed staff to finalize documentation for the procurement file.