Richland County seeks custodial contractor with CJIS clearance, adds daytime porter

The Richland County Board of Commissioners on a routine agenda item reviewed two requests for proposals for custodial services and floor care that would cover county facilities including the County Administration Building, park building, community center, Longview and the jail.

Rachel Troyer of Central Services introduced the procurements and said the contracts are split to distinguish secure from non-secure areas. Troyer said that secure-area work will require more stringent screening: “We have to have BCI, FBI, and then they have to do a CJIS training,” a requirement she said would prevent applicants with disqualifying criminal histories from performing secure-area cleaning.

Troyer and Josh Hicks, who spoke for maintenance, said the RFP includes a proposed daytime porter dedicated to courthouse coverage from about 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The porter’s responsibilities would include restocking supplies, cleaning stairwells and restrooms, and addressing visitor-related maintenance needs. “The day porter is...to help with the cleanliness, particularly in stairwells, refill things that run out,” Troyer said, explaining the role is intended to protect a recent multi-year renovation.

Officials set a bidder walk-through for the 11th and a proposal deadline on the 24th. Troyer said the custodial and floor-care contracts would have an initial one-year term with two one-year renewal options; floor-care work would take effect March 1 under the same renewal structure.

The board discussed that CJIS-cleared staff will cost more but are required for secure-area access. Commissioners did not record a formal roll-call vote on the RFPs in the transcript; presenters confirmed the board’s motion would cover both solicitations.

If the board proceeds, county procurement will accept proposals through the published deadline and evaluate bids against the revised security and service specifications. The timeline for contract award and start dates will depend on the procurement process and any subsequent board action.