FAYETTEVILLE -- Negotiations are set to begin between the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville and a supplier of metal detectors, with a UA spokesman saying the university "has taken steps" to follow a Southeastern Conference decision earlier this year that football stadiums must have the technology by fall 2020.
But the timing of installation and possible placement of metal detectors at other UA campus sporting venues remains undecided, according to university spokesman Kevin Trainor.
"While no decision has been made concerning the use of metal detectors at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium for the 2019 season, the University has taken steps to be in the position to implement the use of metal detectors consistent with the timeline established by the Southeastern Conference by the Fall of 2020," Trainor said in an email.
UA first published a request for proposals in the spring of 2017, seeking metal detectors and advice on how to maximize "both security and speed of entry" at Razorback Stadium, according to bid documents. The stadium has a capacity of 76,000 after renovation and expansion work completed this year, up from a capacity of 72,000.
The equipment sought by UA "could be utilized at other venues as well," Trainor said, with "no determination" yet made about metal detectors elsewhere.
The negotiations involve UA's athletic department and CEIA USA Ltd., according to an "Intent to Award" letter from the university dated Wednesday. The letter "serves as notification that contract negotiations will commence," the document states.
SEC schools University of Alabama and Mississippi State University installed metal detectors at their stadiums this year.
The University of South Carolina is utilizing "a limited number" of metal detectors for test runs at two games this month, according to a school announcement. Kyle Campbell, a spokesman for the University of Mississippi, said metal detectors are being tested at some gates at the school's stadium.
University of Alabama System documents show $982,800 was to be spent on walk-through metal detector equipment from CEIA USA Ltd., and accessories, such as battery packs. Bryant-Denny Stadium has a capacity of 101,821, according to information published online by the university.
Other schools have reported spending less. Kansas State University in 2017 paid about $382,000 for 63 walk-through metal detectors and 20 hand-held wands from CEIA USA, an athletics department official told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette last year. Bill Snyder Family Stadium has an official capacity of 50,000, according to information published online by the university.
Trainor said the university has no cost estimates yet for the equipment.
The bid submitted by CEIA USA was among four certified proposals reviewed by a university committee, according to UA documents published online. The three other bidders were Garrett Metal Detectors, Rapiscan and Advanced OPS.
But after the initial proposals, a UA review committee narrowed the field to CEIA USA and Garrett Metal Detectors, according to a review committee document. CEIA USA lists an address in Twinsburg, Ohio, on its website.
Gov. Asa Hutchinson this year authorized about $60,000 to pay for 18 walk-through metal detectors at War Memorial Stadium, doing so after a crowd scare at an Aug. 25 high school football game.
Play ended abruptly at the annual Salt Bowl game between Bryant and Benton high schools after panicked fans rushed out of War Memorial Stadium following a fight in the crowd and sounds mistaken as gunfire. War Memorial Stadium has a capacity of more than 54,000.
State lawmakers in 2017 expanded concealed carry of guns, though they added an exemption that allows collegiate athletic event sites to prohibit guns so long as site security plans are approved by state police. The law requires additional training for permit-holders if they wish to carry concealed handguns in public areas that generally include the buildings and grounds of public university campuses.
UA's request for bids in 2017 came weeks after the lawmakers expanded concealed carry, but Trainor at that time said that seeking bids was "not directly related to concealed carry in Arkansas" as the university sought to follow guidelines from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
In June, Southeastern Conference Commissioner Greg Sankey said metal detectors would be used at SEC football stadiums and other events as decided by individual schools by fall 2020.
Lou Marciani, director of the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security, said college programs are following pro sports, where "all the major pro stadiums now have security metal detectors," adding that "it's pretty much getting commonplace" at large stadiums.
Metro on 10/27/2018