Health Inspections for Detention Facilities

San Mateo County is conducting an informal Request for Proposals (RFP) for health inspections of detention facilities, seeking a contractor with expertise in medical and mental health services to perform annual medical and sanitary inspections across the county's detention facilities. The procurement requires compliance with California Health & Safety Code 101045, mandating annual investigations of health conditions in county jails, publicly operated detention facilities, and work furlough programs. Contractors must utilize California Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) Title 15 inspection checklists, conduct comprehensive facility tours, interview staff, review policies, and assess documentation. Minimum qualifications include clinical licensure (such as RN or MD), five or more years of correctional facility experience, and familiarity with medical and mental health care standards. Evaluation criteria will be weighted as follows: team qualifications (35 points), previous experience (30 points), price (25 points), and preferential points (10 points). The RFP was released on January 5, 2026, with questions due by January 19, 2026, and proposals required by February 9, 2026, at 11:59 PM through the OpenGov portal, with an anticipated contract award date of March 16, 2026.

The county offers procurement preference points for local businesses, with five percent preference for local businesses or nonprofits, an additional three percent for small businesses (totaling eight percent), and five percent for micro businesses (totaling ten percent). All proposers must register with the System for Award Management (SAM) and obtain a Unique Entity ID (UEI). The contract will cover a three-year service period with potential for annual renegotiation, and the total budget is capped at $90,000 for the entire term. Facility inspection rates are not to exceed $2,300 per facility, with additional consultation services limited to $220 per hour. The contractor will be required to maintain comprehensive insurance coverage, including $1,000,000 in general liability, automobile liability, and professional liability. No specific incumbent vendor is mentioned, and the county anticipates between 10-15 active detention facilities may require inspection annually. Levine Act compliance and campaign contribution disclosures will be mandatory for the selected contractor.