About this opportunity
AI summaryThe City of Carlsbad Police Department seeks proposals for pre-employment background investigation services for civilian and sworn applicants, anticipating approximately 60 investigations annually. Contractors must conduct investigation activities such as applicant autobiography reviews, employment checks, interviews, and relevant in-person travel in accordance with POST requirements. Each assignment must be completed within 45 calendar days of referral. Bidders must demonstrate recent experience conducting similar investigations in California, employ licensed investigators, and have no conflicts of interest. Proposals must be submitted via PlanetBids before 5 p.m. on December 4, 2026, and all questions must be emailed by 5 p.m. on November 18, 2026. Awards will be determined using a best value evaluation considering cost, previous performance and references, responsiveness to specifications, and years of experience. The contract features a three-year initial term with up to two optional one-year extensions, and proposals must state the price per completed investigation broken out by year.
Buyer and opportunity details
- Client
- City of Carlsbad Police Department
- Solicitation No.
- 27-03
Scope of work
- Review applicant Personal History Statements and conduct follow-up inquiries
- Conduct investigation in accordance with POST Background Investigation Dimensions and Bias Assessment Framework
- Perform education, employment, military, and reference checks including relatives and personal references
- Conduct in-person interviews, home visits, and required local or out-of-area travel
- Investigate applicants in compliance with Commission Regulation 1953 and POST regulations
- Prepare and submit organized background investigation narrative reports and supporting documentation within 45 calendar days
- Maintain internal quality-control reviews to ensure investigations are thorough, accurate, and complete
- Protect applicant information and restricted criminal history records against unauthorized access
How proposals are evaluated
| Criterion | Weight / scoring |
|---|---|
| Cost | 20 |
| Years of Experience | 30 |
| Other evaluation factors (including previous performance, references, and responsiveness to specifications) | 50 |
| TOTAL | 100 |
Minimum qualifications
- Hold any license required by applicable California law for conducting pre-employment background investigations
- Possess a valid California driver's license for assigned investigators
- Demonstrate recent experience conducting similar background investigations in California
- Demonstrate familiarity with applicable POST requirements
- Investigator must be an employee of the contractor
- Possess all licenses, permits, and approvals required by law and regulations
- Ability to obtain and maintain a City of Carlsbad Business License
Documents to include with your response
- Attachment B - RFP Response Information and Certification
- Attachment C - Experience of Firm
- Attachment D - References (minimum of three references)
- Certification of Bidder
- Cost projection stating price per completed investigation by year for three years
- Acknowledgment of Addenda
- Conflict of Interest Statement (if required)
Key dates
- Release of Proposal (RFP 27-03) issued
- November 6, 2026
- Questions Due
- 5 p.m. on November 18, 2026
- Questions with Answers Released
- November 24, 2026
- Proposals Due
- prior to 5 P.M. on December 4, 2026
- Negotiations Completed and Selected Contractor(s) Notified of Intent to Award
- December 2026
- Award of Agreement
- January 2027
How to submit
- Method
- Electronic via the agency portal
- Instructions
- Submitted exclusively via the City of Carlsbad electronic bidding site (PlanetBids) at Contracting & Purchasing | Carlsbad, CA. Bidders must be pre-registered and possess a system-assigned Digital ID. Submissions via email, hard copy, or fax are not accepted.
Contract details
- Term
- Three year term with up to two additional one-year optional extensions
- Place of performance
- Carlsbad, California, with required travel within San Diego County and other locations
- Insurance and bonding
- Carriers admitted in California with Best's rating not less than A-:VII or authorized surplus lines insurer: Commercial General Liability ($1,000,000 per occurrence, City named additional insured), Automobile Liability, Workers' Compensation as required by California Labor Code, and Professional Liability ($1,000,000 per claim maintained for 3 years post-completion).