All decisions about the use of contract security services must be based on actual security needs. To determine these needs, a security survey should be conducted by internal or external security experts. Once the need for security has been firmly established and money has been committed for implementation of crime prevention programs, goals and objectives for the department must be defined. Preliminary planning for actual bidding on a security contract should begin 3 to 4 months before the new service is wanted. A bid package is an important tool, and should contain information on the contract dates, hours and security posts, the pay scale, equipment and uniform specifications, training, and a fixed cost analysis. The bidder should also be provided with information on hiring restrictions, equal employment opportunity compliance, selection standards, and work performance standards. Ater the bid package is prepared, bidders should be invited. The three most important factors to consider when comparing contract agencies are the agency's reputation, the quality of the local management, and the employee relations within the agency and between the agency and the company. Other considerations should be listed on a bid analysis checklist and will include such items as charges, guard selection and training, agency considerations, administrative and/or service considerations, and security factors. The company should award the contract to the bidder it trusts only after each party understands what the other party is obligated to do.