SANTA FE – State General Services Secretary Ken Ortiz announced his department will soon enter into a contract with a private firm to develop a security master plan for executive office buildings in Santa Fe. 

“State employees deserve to feel safe and secure at their workplace,” Ortiz said. 

GSD’s Facilities Management Division, which is responsible for operation and maintenance of executive office buildings in Santa Fe, will select from three firms that were awarded statewide price agreements for security master planning. The state Purchasing Division of GSD awarded the agreements in July following a request for proposals, or RFP. 

In developing the security master plan, the contractor selected by the Facilities Management Division will work with the Department of Public Safety and the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management to assess and address vulnerabilities. 

The contractor’s duties will include producing an anti-terrorism program, creating security policies and procedures, leading training exercises and producing a three- to five-year plan to implement recommended security measures. 

Possible recommendations by the contractor include additional indoor and outdoor security cameras, more areas restricted to badge access and more controls over badges, security guards, better outdoor lighting, additional fencing, building renovations and direct control of building lockdowns by the Facilities Management Division. 

Anna Silva, director of the Facilities Management Division, said safety and security are the No. 1 concerns raised by leaders of state agencies when she meets with them to talk about their building needs. 

The General Services Department is the support agency for state government, providing facility management, printing services, procurement, public employee health and other benefits, liability coverage for public agencies and transportation services. 

Some agencies, because of the sensitivity of their missions, require more safety and security measures than others, Silva said. One challenge, she said, will be balancing the safety and security of state employees with the need of the public to access services. 

“We’ve all read about shootings in public buildings elsewhere in the country. We don’t want to turn New Mexico state government into a fortress, but we do want to ensure our greatest asset – our employees – are safe,” Silva said. 

She plans to seek funding from the Legislature to implement the security master plan.