Electronic Purchase Solution

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Corrections is seeking information on commercially available electronic purchase solutions that can securely support inmate transactions within correctional facilities via RFI, with responses due October 6, 2026. This is a Request for Information only and does not constitute a solicitation; the Commonwealth will not award contracts or make payments based on responses.

The scope addresses the Department's current manual process requiring inmates to transfer funds from primary accounts to separate purchasing accounts through commissary requests involving staff. The Department currently lacks institutional wireless connectivity for inmate purchasing devices — a material constraint respondents must account for in proposed solutions. The RFI seeks vendor input on solutions supporting inmate purchases of food, beverages, vending machine items, law library copies and printing, fundraising event merchandise, and other authorized goods and services.

The questionnaire encompasses 19 detailed questions covering secure identification and authorization mechanisms, fund-access controls, transaction types, reporting capabilities, infrastructure requirements, cost structures, existing implementations in other correctional institutions, and availability on existing state contracts. Respondents must provide a cover letter with company contact information and completed questionnaire responses via email to Amanda Wasko at amawasko@pa.gov by 10:00 a.m. on October 6, 2026.

All preparation costs are the responsibility of respondents. The Commonwealth reserves the right to reject any responses, amend or reissue the RFI, or abandon the process at any time. All submitted materials become the property of the Commonwealth and may be distributed internally or disclosed in accordance with Pennsylvania's Right to Know Law.