Selecting a patrol partner: RFP questions to ask

Last updated: November 3, 2026

Your request for proposals (RFP) doesn't need to be long. It needs to collect the details that let you compare patrol partners fairly. Use these questions as a starting point.

This is the second of three articles on selecting a patrol partner. If you haven't defined your requirements yet, start with Selecting a patrol partner: requirements and shortlist.

Company background

  • How long they've operated, and how long in your market.

  • How many communities they serve, and the mix of HOA, apartment, and commercial clients.

  • Whether they serve your specific area, not just the wider metro region.

  • Their ownership structure, and any recent ownership changes.

Operations

  • Patrol staff count, full-time versus contract staff, turnover, and training.

  • How their patrol vehicles are equipped, and what tools they use in the field.

  • Their coverage model, including routes, frequency, and time of day.

  • Their after-hours contact and emergency response time.

  • How they handle no-shows or short shifts.

ParkingPass and recordkeeping

  • Their experience with ParkingPass, including how many communities they serve in it and how they train staff.

  • Whether patrols routinely include timestamped photos of violations.

  • When they enter warnings and citations: in real time, at the end of a shift, or at the end of the day.

  • How they handle disputes on their side.

Pricing

  • Their fee structure: flat, per-patrol, hybrid, or revenue share.

  • What's included and what's billed separately.

  • Tow recovery fees, including who collects them and the typical range in your market.

  • Boot fees and removal procedures.

  • Annual price increases and how renewals work.

Compliance and insurance

  • Liability insurance limits.

  • Workers' compensation coverage for patrol staff.

  • Bonding for tow operations.

  • The state licensing requirements they meet.

  • Their background check process for patrol staff.

References

  • Three to five references from communities similar to yours.

  • At least one reference they've served for 3 years or more.

  • Ask about any references that switched to another patrol partner in the last year.

Important notes