U.S. Secret Service plans heavy-duty security at NATO Summit in Chicago on May 20-21

As it prepares itself to protect up to 80 heads of state or heads of government attending a NATO Summit meeting scheduled for Chicago on May 20-21, the U.S. Secret Service has issued an RFP for a “major event planner” that can deliver, install and maintain a wide range of physical security equipment, including mobile vehicle barriers, anti-scale fencing, crowd control barricades and more.

NATO is an intergovernmental military alliance that consists of 28 independent member countries.

The selected vendor will be awarded a fixed-price service contract to assist the Secret Service in managing what has been designated as a National Special Security Event. The contractor will provide all equipment rental, coordination and management services, according to a solicitation issued by the Secret Service on April 10.

The chosen vendor will act as the single “facilitator” of the event and provide “hands-on” program management for materials such as “temporary fencing, concrete barriers, tents, bike rack, comfort trailers, supplemental lighting, portable generators, portable air conditioners, auxiliary lighting and electrical circuits, golf carts, fueling support, sand bags, porta-potties & services,” says the solicitation.

The Secret Service plans to use some sophisticated security gear, including:

Portable vehicle barriers – The plan calls for 16-foot mobile or portable high-security vehicle barriers. “The barrier shall withstand an attempted penetration at a minimum of [Department of State] K4 crash rating certification of a 15,000-pound vehicle at 30 mph,” says the Secret Service’s statement of work. “The mobile barrier shall be capable of crash rating per [Department of State] K12 standard of a 15,000-pound vehicle at 50 mph with the addition of support concrete jersey barriers.”

Crowd control barriers – The plan calls for an 8-foot high anti-scale fencing, protective crowd control barrier system. “It is imperative the U.S. Secret Service have a secure perimeter capable of controlling access and protecting Dignitaries, Delegates, guests and general public,” explains the statement of work.

Supplied by Secret Service – The statement of work makes clear that the Secret Service will provide to its vendor 3,600 linear feet of anti-scale fencing, which is currently stored at its James J. Rowley Training Center in Laurel, MD. In addition the Secret Service intends to make available 17,000 linear feet of concrete barricades which are owned by various Chicago government organizations and are being stored at two locations in the Chicago area.

Prospective vendors are required to submit their proposals by April 24. Additional information is available from Gregory Anderson, a Secret Service contracting officer, at 202-406-6799 or Gregory.Anderson@usss.dhs.gov.