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The Pan-Am count down clock is unveiled in Toronto on July 11, 2014.Chris Young/The Canadian Press

A company's willingness to become a sponsor of the 2015 Pan American/Parapan Games will be considered in the awarding of a new security contract, according to a request for proposals (RFP) document issued by the TO2015 organizing committee.

Sponsorship by an applicant is one of the factors that will affect the decision, states the RFP document issued earlier this month for bids to provide security within the venues at the athletic event next summer.

The contract is to provide security services at more than 40 Pan Am Games venues in southern Ontario, including watching over equipment and structures at each site. PanAm officials would not reveal the potential value of the "asset protection" contract, although sources familiar with the industry say it is likely to be worth about $10-million.

The new contract is in addition to an $81-million private security contract awarded by the province in March to Contemporary Security Canada, a U.S. controlled company. That deal is to provide private security to assist the Ontario Provincial Police-led Integrated Security Unit protect the perimeter of Pan Am Games sites. Security costs for the event have already doubled to $239-million from an original estimate of $113-million. The overall cost of the games has been under scrutiny, including the recent announcement by the province that it will provide an additional $74-million for overruns.

"All sponsorship value, if proposed by Proponent, will be factored into the cost assessment," says the new bidding document. The method of sponsorship can be cash, an in-kind contribution or "marketing activation value."

A spokesman for the Pan Am Games declined Monday to answer questions about the content of the RFP, including exactly how price is factored into the weighting formula to select the winning bidder.

"The process is still ongoing. We are not able to speak at this particular time," said Teddy Katz. Pan Am officials will be available to comment in late November, after an applicant is selected, "so it is an open and transparent process to the bidders," said Mr. Katz.

Ontario Culture minister Michael Coteau told a legislative committee last month that he could not predict the final security tally. "I will not put a price tag on the safety of Ontarians," he said.

After controversy erupted over the process involved in the awarding of the $81-million perimeter security contract, Auditor General Bonnie Lysyk that she would launch an investigation. She told The Globe and Mail on Monday that her report should be made public in the next three or four weeks.

Derek Gagne, project director for Contemporary Security in the Pan Am perimeter contract, said he could not comment on whether the company will bid for this latest security deal.

The head of Reilly Security, a Toronto-based company that was a finalist for the earlier contract, also would not say if it will submit a bid. "It would be inappropriate to comment," said Nick Migliore.

The asset protection bidding document contains a number of provisions, including a prohibition on an applicant speaking to the media. As well, each company bidding for the security contract must agree to have its contact information given to CIBC, the lead sponsor of the Games.

Both contracts require only 25 per cent of staff to have experience in the industry and to have worked as a security guard in the past two years.

Contemporary has stated publicly that it intends to hire at least 5,000 people to fulfill the security requirements of the perimeter contract.

The OPP issued a news release Monday about a joint project with the company, to recruit students from four Ontario community colleges, who are enrolled in Police Foundations and Justice Studies programs.

"They will be in positions that are not necessarily front line," said OPP Sergeant Peter Leon. "It is an excellent opportunity for students to gain valuable experience," explained the OPP spokesman.

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