EFC - Cellular Service from Inland Cellular

The State of Idaho, specifically the Idaho Military Division and focusing on Minidoka County, is pursuing a procurement opportunity for cellular services from Inland Cellular through a unique exemption request process. The procurement is a Request for Proposal (RFP) for cellular service, with a specific focus on the Idaho Youth Challenge Academy located in Pierce, Idaho. The agency is seeking a three-year exemption to procure cellular services valued at $35,000, justified by the limited and unreliable coverage of major cellular providers like Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T in the area. Inland Cellular has been identified as having superior roaming agreements that provide more reliable service coverage. The procurement opportunity was posted on July 29, 2024, with a response deadline of August 1, 2024. The Division of Purchasing (DOP) Administrator will have discretionary authority to approve or deny the exemption from standard competitive procurement processes, and suppliers are invited to provide supplemental information that may support or challenge the agency's justification.

The procurement opportunity does not explicitly outline specific set-aside designations or restrictions on responding organizations. The current solicitation appears to be an exemption request rather than a standard competitive bidding process, which limits typical competitive vendor participation. The proposed cellular service contract would be for the Idaho Military Division, specifically serving the Idaho Youth Challenge Academy, with a historical spending pattern of approximately $9,500 annually. The total requested exemption amount is $35,000, which covers potential service costs and anticipated increases over the three-year period. No incumbent vendors are explicitly named beyond Inland Cellular, and no specific infrastructure integration requirements are detailed in the available documentation. The procurement is structured as a sole-source exemption, meaning the standard competitive bidding protocols may not apply, and the final determination rests with the DOP Administrator's discretion.