title
Change Order for Transit Security Services - SEAL
end
|
DESCRIPTION: Amendment to the current SEAL Security Contract to continue month-to-month services for Transit Security Services at various New Orleans Regional Transit Authority locations throughout the City of New Orleans. |
AGENDA NO: Click or tap here to enter text. |
|
ACTION REQUEST: ☒ Approval ☐ Review Comment ☐ Information Only ☐ Other |
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Authorize the Interim Chief Executive Officer to amend the current contract with Security Experts and Leaders (SEAL) to allow RTA to continue Transit Security Services to support coverage at existing levels through (approximately) October 31, 2026, at a cost not to exceed $857,896.27.
end
ISSUE/BACKGROUND:
body
In preparation of the termination of the Transdev/RTA agreement in late 2020 and in recognition of the fact that the security service contract under the Transdev agreement was due to terminate on August 24, 2020, the RTA Procurement and System Security Departments initiated the solicitation for a transit security services vendor. Pinnacle Security & Investigations, Inc. (“Pinnacle”) was the contractor at the time via Transdev’s agreement.
From approximately late 2020 to present, several attempts to select and award contracts to vendors to provide Transit Security Services, were each formally protested, and consequently cancelled by RTA in accordance with RTA’s Procurement Manual.
RTA is currently evaluating proposals from qualified vendors via RFP #2025-31 while also researching and assessing the feasibility of other staffing models that it may consider for future coverage needs, including but not limited to executing a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with a duly authorized, independent law enforcement entity and/or bringing the functions in-house (and/or any combination thereof). In the interim, RTA staff is seeking authorization to amend the current contract with SEAL to ensure continuity of security services.
See detailed transactional history, below:
• On June 29, 2020, RTA advertised RFP #2020-009 for Transit Security Services. Eleven (11) proposals were received and subsequently evaluated by the designated technical evaluation committee which resulted in Security Experts and Leaders (SEAL) having the highest evaluation score. On August 25, 2020, the RTA Board of Commissioners approved the recommendation to award the contract for security services to SEAL. Staff executed the contract for services on September 7, 2020. On September 29, 2020, the RTA received a protest regarding the awarding of the contract to SEAL from another bidder. As a result of the protest, RTA sent a Termination for Convenience notice to SEAL and the requirement for security services provided by SEAL were modified to Month-to-Month.
• On December 17, 2020, RTA advertised a new Request for Proposal - RFP #2020-032. Twelve (12) proposals were received and evaluated. The evaluation resulted in SEAL scoring the highest evaluation score. In May 2021, the RTA Board approved the recommendation to award the contract for security services to SEAL. On May 26, 2021, staff issued SEAL a Notification of Award. On June 2, 2021, before the contract with SEAL was fully executed, RTA received a protest from another bidder regarding the award to SEAL. As a result of the protest, RTA sent SEAL a Cancellation Notice and the security services provided by SEAL were continued on a Month-to-Month basis as supported through a series of Board-approved amendments.
• On January 19, 2022, the 3rd Request for Proposal - RFP #2022-003 was advertised. Eleven (11) proposals were received and subsequently evaluated. Orleans Security, LLC dba Force 1 Protection (Force 1) scored the highest evaluation score. The proposal submitted by the bidding firm that had protested the previous RFPs was determined to be non-responsive. On May 24,2022, the RTA Board approved the recommendation to award the contract for security services to Force 1. The contract between the RTA and Force 1 was executed effective August 1, 2022. RTA subsequently received two protests regarding the awarding of the contract to Force 1; these protests were from the firm that RTA had deemed non-responsive and a second firm. As a result, RTA sent a Termination for Convenience notice to Force 1. SEAL continued to provide security services on a Month-to-Month basis as supported through a series of Board-approved amendments.
• On January 18, 2023, the 4th Request for Proposal - RFP #2023-001 was advertised. Eleven (11) proposals were received and evaluated via a two-step process (proposal assessment/oral presentations) consistent with RTA’s Procurement Manual. This evaluation resulted in Allied Universal Protection (Allied) having the highest combined evaluation score. Staff submitted the recommendation for award to the RTA Board of Commissioners for consideration for the July 2023 meeting. On the morning of July 25th (prior to the meeting), RTA’s General Counsel received notification of a protest claim from SEAL’s attorney regarding the award of the security services contract agenda item. The agenda item was then deferred. RTA reviewed the protest, supporting documentation, and procurement records, and determined the best course of action was to suspend the award process under RFP #2023-001 and continue Month-to-Month services with the current vendor, SEAL. This arrangement remains in effect today and has been supported by successive authorizations to amend the 2020 contract with SEAL. (See attached Board-approved SEAL change order history which is provided as reference.) Contract amendments with SEAL have been necessary to maintain uninterrupted transit security services while procurement activities, protest reviews, and long-term security planning efforts were completed.
• In 2025, staff developed a comprehensive Scope of Work, including substantive revisions based on previous lessons learned, and issued RFP #2025-31 through which RTA is actively evaluating proposals at this time.
In Spring 2024, at the request of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), staff commenced research into a variety of system-wide security plan options and industry best practices for the agency to consider, ranging from continuing to outsource services to bringing the functions in-house. Staff have taken several key steps toward issuing a formal recommendation to the CEO, including consulting with peer transit agencies, Transit Police, and other law enforcement agencies, as well as estimating costs that would be associated with staffing security posts in-house (inclusive of training; staff certification; firearm issuance, certification, and storage; equipment; non-revenue vehicle; and information technology requirements). Staff have also begun researching hybrid models consisting of one or more of the above. Additionally, staff are evaluating the feasibility of turning over at least one existing post-the Canal Street Ferry Terminal-to the current ferry operator, under the existing agreement for ferry services.
Proposals submitted under RFP #2025-31 are currently under evaluation.
To avoid any lapse in security coverage, staff are requesting an additional extension with SEAL to support coverage at existing levels through (approximately) October 31, 2026, at a cost not to exceed $857,896.27.
end
DISCUSSION:
Maintaining a secure transit environment is one of RTA's top priorities. RTA selected SEAL to provide armed, uniform security personnel to aid in securing all property owned, leased, operated, and/or maintained by RTA (i.e., facilities, and vehicles). SEAL is expected to assist employees, contractors, patrons, and the citizens of New Orleans and surrounding parishes by maintaining order, providing excellent customer service, and rendering assistance as needed. SEAL works closely with local, state, and federal emergency response agencies always rendering aid as needed. This amendment is needed to continue services at existing levels pending either the outcome of RFP #2025-31-in progress-or the decision to implement another security plan, whichever comes first.
The security services under this contract include security coverage for transit facilities, assets, and areas designated for transit operations. Under existing agreements and protocols, the vendor coordinates closely with RTA’s Operations Control Center, Transit Police Unit, and System Security Department to ensure comprehensive and uninterrupted services. These services are required 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to maintain a safe and secure transit system.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Funds for this contract are available from the RTA Operational Budget. Operating Account Number: 01-3300-99-7650-161-00-00-00000-00000. The total cost for the extension is not to exceed $857,896.27.
NEXT STEPS:
Upon RTA Board approval, staff will submit and process a change order modification to the purchase order.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution
2. Independent Cost Estimate Summary Form (ICE)
3. Change Order Routing Sheet
4. Change Order Justification
5. Original SEAL Purchase Order
6. Recent SEAL Purchase Order
7. Board-Approved SEAL Change Order History
Prepared By: Ivana C. Butler
Title: Administrative Analyst Safety, Security, and Emergency Management
Reviewed By: Michael J. Smith
Title: Chief Safety, Security, and Emergency Management Officer
Reviewed By: Gizelle Johnson Banks
Title: Chief Financial Officer
6/8/2026
Ronald G. Baptiste Date
Interim Chief Executive Officer