Why do vendors refuse to give a PPO number over the phone?

Because they don't have one — they resell service from another PPO or use 1099 off-duty guards. A legitimate CA PPO reads the number to any caller in 5 seconds.

How do I verify a PPO on my own?

search.dca.ca.gov → License Search → Bureau of Security & Investigative Services → Private Patrol Operator → enter the number. Status must read 'Clear' or 'Active'.

What's the tell for a shady bid?

No PPO on the proposal, no COI attached, hourly rate at or below $22 / hr (below W-2 + W-C cost), or refusal to name additional insured.

Should I hire off-duty police as construction guards?

Off-duty LE is high-quality talent but not a substitute for a licensed PPO. You lose W-C coverage, dispatch, sunrise reporting, and additional-insured status. Use LE for cash escorts, not overnight patrol.

Can I request references from a bidder?

Yes — every legitimate Sacramento PPO carries at least 3 current GC references. If a vendor stalls, that IS the answer.

Sacramento GC buyer's scorecard · CA BSIS PPO #121830

12 Questions to Vet a Construction Security Vendor

Copy this list into your next RFP email. If a bidder can't answer all twelve in one written reply, they're not licensed the way California requires — or they're a broker reselling your contract.

The 12 questions

1.What is your active BSIS PPO number, and can I look it up on the state site right now?
2.Are your officers W-2 employees, 1099 contractors, or subcontracted from a national broker?
3.What is your average tenure of the officers you'd assign to my site?
4.Show me a redacted GL, auto, and W-C certificate — do they name my GC as additional insured with waiver of subrogation?
5.What is your written response SLA for an alarm on this jobsite, in minutes?
6.What is your dispatch failover if the on-duty officer misses a scheduled tour?
7.Send a sample post order for a comparable Sacramento project.
8.Send a sample sunrise report — actual photos, actual GPS pins, actual tour times.
9.What technology do you use for GPS tour verification (system name, not marketing terms)?
10.How do you handle armed vs unarmed escalation on this site?
11.What is your mid-project add/drop policy and required notice window?
12.Name three Sacramento GCs / developers we can call as references from the last 12 months.

Vetting · FAQ

Common vetting questions

Why do vendors refuse to give a PPO number over the phone?+
Because they don't have one — they resell service from another PPO or use 1099 off-duty guards. A legitimate CA PPO reads the number to any caller in 5 seconds.
How do I verify a PPO on my own?+
search.dca.ca.gov → License Search → Bureau of Security & Investigative Services → Private Patrol Operator → enter the number. Status must read 'Clear' or 'Active'.
What's the tell for a shady bid?+
No PPO on the proposal, no COI attached, hourly rate at or below $22 / hr (below W-2 + W-C cost), or refusal to name additional insured.
Should I hire off-duty police as construction guards?+
Off-duty LE is high-quality talent but not a substitute for a licensed PPO. You lose W-C coverage, dispatch, sunrise reporting, and additional-insured status. Use LE for cash escorts, not overnight patrol.
Can I request references from a bidder?+
Yes — every legitimate Sacramento PPO carries at least 3 current GC references. If a vendor stalls, that IS the answer.

Next step

Call (530) 902-9390

Stormhammer Security, Inc. · CA BSIS PPO #121830 · https://sacsecuritypatrol.com/vet-construction-security-vendor-sacramento