9-Definitions.pdf
PDF 200 KB Posted
- Solicitation number
- 25/0398
- Issued by
- Harris County, Texas
About this file
This is a definitions document for an RFP issued by Harris County Pretrial Services in Texas for Ignition Interlock Devices, Portable Alcohol Testing Devices, and associated services, effective beginning March 1, 2026, for a one-year term. The document establishes standardized terminology and technical specifications for alcohol testing equipment and services that will be required under the contract. Key terms define the types of devices (Ignition Interlock Devices and in-Home/Portable Testing Devices), testing measurements (Blood Alcohol Concentration and Breath Alcohol Concentration), device operations (calibration, startup set points at 0.030 g/210 liters of breath, rolling retests), and service requirements (installation, maintenance, calibration by trained Service Technicians at fixed or mobile Service Centers). The definitions also establish compliance standards, including violations related to tampering, circumvention, illegal starts, and lockout conditions that the Vendor must monitor and manage.
The document defines the scope of geographic service coverage as Harris County and its contiguous counties (Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Liberty, Montgomery, and Waller), with clients being individuals required to use the devices under court or departmental order. Critical definitions establish accountability measures, including the use of cameras to verify proper device use and specimen authenticity, and establish service standards that mobile installations must meet equivalent security and procedural requirements as fixed Service Centers. The specifications require Vendors to employ qualified Service Technicians trained by manufacturers or authorized representatives and capable of performing all required device operations and maintenance functions.
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Text version
DEFINITIONS
Alcohol Set Point – A preset alcohol concentration setting that requires the Alcohol Testing Device to perform a specific operation.
Alcohol—Ethyl alcohol, also called ethanol
Alcohol Testing Device – A device designed to detect the presence of alcohol in an Alveolar Air specimen of given volume, and to quantify and report the concentration of alcohol in the specimen. This general designation includes both Ignition Interlock Devices and in-Home/Portable Testing Devices.
Blood Alcohol Concentration or BAC – The concentration of alcohol in a blood specimen, expressed as grams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood.
Breath Alcohol Concentration or BrAC – The concentration of alcohol in an Alveolar Air specimen. BrAC is expressed in percent weight by volume (% w/v) based on grams of alcohol per 210 liters of breath. A BrAC of 0.10% w/v means 0.10 grams of alcohol per 210 liters of breath. For purposes of these specifications, alcohol concentrations expressed as BrAC are equivalent to those expressed as BAC.
Calibration – The testing and adjustment of an Alcohol Testing Device so that it accurately measures BrAC.
Camera – A device used in conjunction with an Alcohol Testing Device to capture photographic images of the person being tested, at the time the specimen is being provided, to ensure proper device use and to ensure the specimen is being provided by the intended person.
Circumvention – An overt, conscious attempt to bypass the circuitry or functions of an Alcohol Testing Device that ensure the integrity of the Breath Alcohol Analysis. Examples of circumvention include, but are not limited to, a user providing a specimen to an Alcohol Testing Device that is other than a contemporaneous, unfiltered specimen of the user’s Alveolar Air, or a user taking any overt action intended to allow a vehicle equipped with an Ignition Interlock Device to be operated without first taking and passing a breath test.
Client – The individual who is required to use the Alcohol Testing Device.
Department – Harris County Pretrial Services or any other Harris County department receiving services under this Agreement.
Harris County Area - Harris County, Texas and its contiguous counties: Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Liberty, Montgomery, and Waller.
Ignition Interlock Device – a device which prevent a motor vehicle from starting when the breath alcohol concentration of a person meets or exceeds a present value. If the alcohol concentration exceeds the startup set point on the interlock device, a motor vehicle will be rendered inoperable.
Illegal Start – an event where in the ignition interlock device – equipped vehicle is operated without the requisite breath tests haven’t been taken and passed or it started when the device is of a lockout condition.
Lockout – A temporary condition in which the device will not permit a breath test to be conducted and thereby prevents the participant from operating motor vehicle. Manufacturer- The actual producer of the device
Manufacturer’s Representative – An individual or entity designated by the manufacturer to act on behalf of or represent the manufacturer of a device.
Mobile Installations – The installation of an approved Ignition Interlock Device performed at a site other than an fixed-location Service Center. Mobile Installations shall be held to the same security and procedural standards as provided in the specifications, and during a mobile installation the Client shall not witness the installation of the ignition interlock.
Negative Result – a test results indicating that the alcohol concentration is less than the startup said point value.
PDT – a portable breath tester is used by law enforcement agencies.
Positive Result – a test result indicating that the alcohol concentration equals or exceeds the Startup Set Point.
Rolling Retest – after passing the test allowing the engine to start, the device shall require a second test whether randomly variable interval.
Service Center – A fixed or mobile location provided or contracted by the Vendor to perform installation, service, and maintenance of Ignition Interlock Devices and in-Home/Portable Testing Devices.
Service Technician - an individual who has been trained to perform device installations, mobile installations, removals, calibrations, download, repair, regularly scheduled maintenance, and emergency services or more of the following: a manufacturer, manufactures representative, or a service provider. The individual shall also satisfy the requirements of these Specifications. Also known as technician.
Startup Set Point – A predetermined alcohol concentration at or above which an Alcohol Testing Device shall, as applicable, prevent the operation of a motor vehicle. That set point shall be an alcohol concentration of 0.030 g/210 liters of breath.
Tampering – an overt were conscious attempt to physically disabled or otherwise disconnect the device from its power source or bypass the Interlock components of the device and thereby allow the vehicle to be operated without passing the required BrAC.
The vendor – The persons or entities proposing and/or providing the products and services under this Agreement.
Violation – Any of several events that represent actual or potential noncompliance, including but not limited to, a BrAC above what is permitted by the Department or the court, failure to complete required random testing or retesting, Tampering, or Circumvention.
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