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Board opens sealed bids for Mesco Park Zoo security; staff to review and return with recommendation
Summary
Sealed bids for night security at Mesco Park Zoo and Botanic Garden were opened March 5, 2025. Three vendors submitted quotes; staff will evaluate proposals and expect to return to the commission with a contract recommendation in approximately two weeks.
The Evansville Board of Parks Commission opened sealed bids for security services at Mesco Park Zoo and Botanic Garden on March 5, 2025. Staff said three vendors responded and that the bids will be reviewed before a contract award.
Eric Beck, executive director for Mesco Park Zoo and Botanic Garden, told the board there appear to be three responsive bids. A tabulation presented at the meeting showed the following annualized totals (including holidays) as read into the record by staff: Nighthawk Security Company LLC — $118,990.50; Marshall Security LLC — $146,412.42 (noting an additional $1.50 per hour vehicle charge in that bid); and Secure Toss Security Services — $128,454.80 (net‑30 terms) and $129,744.51 (net‑45 terms).
Beck said Nighthawk is the zoo’s current vendor and that, “at first glance, they're the lowest price on here.” Staff noted the current security agreement is set to expire in the next week or two and that staff expects to return to the commission at a subsequent meeting with a recommended contract award. Ben Payne, director of facilities and operations, explained that one bidder included a separate vehicle charge for an on‑site vehicle; staff will clarify whether that cost is included in the annualized totals during the review.
No award was made at the meeting; the sealed bids were taken under advisement and will be evaluated by purchasing and zoo staff before a contract is presented to the board.
