Friends and Family Package Program

The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (DOC) is seeking a vendor to operate a Friends and Family Package (FFP) Program for state correctional facilities. The procurement is for a comprehensive package delivery service where eligible offenders and their friends/family can order pre-approved food and personal hygiene products for delivery to incarcerated individuals. The successful vendor will be responsible for marketing, product selection, order processing, delivery, and product returns/transfers. Key qualifications include having at least 5 years of experience operating a similar package program of comparable size to the Pennsylvania DOC. Evaluation criteria appear to focus on lowest total price and vendor responsiveness. The solicitation was posted on February 28, 2018, with a bid response deadline of March 28, 2018, at 2:00 PM, to be submitted electronically through the PA Supplier Portal. The initial contract term is one year with the option for four additional one-year extensions.

The solicitation does not explicitly indicate specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises. The contract is structured as a "No Cost" contract to the Commonwealth, with the vendor generating revenue through fees charged directly to end-users (offenders, family, and friends). The vendor is required to provide a 20% quarterly commission on gross sales to the DOC/Correctional Industries. Historical sales data indicates the program has generated over $8.5 million in sales over a three-year period from 2015-2017, suggesting a potentially significant revenue opportunity for the awarded vendor. While no incumbent vendor is specifically named, the comprehensive sales history provided suggests an established market with predictable purchasing patterns. The vendor must collect and remit applicable state and local sales taxes and adhere to specific product specifications outlined in multiple cost matrix attachments.