The Utah State Board of Education and the Utah School Safety Center have launched a procurement initiative to provide wearable panic alert devices to public K-12 schools across the state. Supported by funding from the Utah State Legislature, the program aims to equip every lead teacher and all school safety personnel with devices designed to enhance security and ensure rapid emergency response.
Scope of Safety Initiative
The initiative is being managed through a Request for Proposals (RFP) to secure vendors capable of supplying wearable panic alert devices (WPADs). These devices are intended to communicate directly with the appropriate Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) to support statewide school safety initiatives. The scope of the project includes providing the hardware as well as the necessary training, technical support, and system configuration required for successful implementation within school environments.
Project Value and Contract Terms
The Utah State Board of Education has estimated the low value of the solicitation at $44,050,000. The procurement process involves a contract term of three years, with the option for two additional one-year extensions. According to the solicitation, the program is part of broader school safety measures intended to increase security in public K-12 institutions.
Local Agency Responsibilities
Under the current guidelines, local education agencies (LEAs) are not required to use the specific devices procured by the state. However, LEAs remain responsible for ensuring compliance with Utah Code Section 53G-8-805, regardless of which contractor they select. The Utah State Board of Education will exclusively cover Tier 1 service costs for requests that have received formal approval from the Utah School Safety Center.
Reimbursement and Service Tiers
The program establishes strict rules regarding reimbursement to prevent overlapping costs. LEAs that have already implemented panic alert devices will not be reimbursed for prior purchases. Furthermore, any services or devices acquired before receiving formal approval are ineligible for reimbursement. The state is specifically funding the wearable panic alert devices for each school at the Tier 1 service level, though different contractors may offer various service options and hardware through Tier 2 and Tier 3 levels.
Application Timeline
The application process for LEAs involves a Qualtrics-based system. The release date for the application process was August 3, 2026, and the due date for submissions was set for 5:00 p.m. on September 25, 2026. Each LEA head is required to select a contractor and complete the designated request form.
Implementation Process
Following the close of the request period, the Utah School Safety Center reviews all submissions. Once reviewed, the center shares LEA contact information with the selected contractors. These contractors are then responsible for confirming Tier 1 services, coordinating next steps, creating quotes for all designated schools within an LEA, and sending those quotes to the USBE, the Utah SSC, and the LEA. Implementation begins only after the USBE approves the submitted quote.
Available Contractors and Contacts
Several cooperative contracts have been identified for the program, including options from Carasoft/Saferwatch, Centegix, and Motorola. The Utah State Board of Education has appointed Cathy Davis, an Education Specialist for the Suicide Prevention, as a contact for the solicitation. Other officials involved in the program include Levi Grisenti, a School Safety and Security Specialist, and Melissa Muhlestein, an Executive Secretary.
