IDOC - BMR - Cable Television Service CIBF - JF

The Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC), specifically the Big Muddy River Correctional Center, is seeking a cable television service provider for incarcerated individuals through an Invitation for Bid (IFB) process. The procurement aims to secure a comprehensive cable television service for approximately 950 cells/connections, requiring a minimum of 45 channels plus two in-house programmable channels for movie viewing and administrative communications. The contract will span five years, from February 1, 2025 through January 31, 2030, with full equipment installation required by January 31, 2025. Vendor requirements include providing 24-hour emergency service with a four-hour response time for major signal disruptions, dispatching technicians within 24 hours for equipment problems, and maintaining all necessary programming licenses and agreements. A mandatory pre-submission conference is scheduled for December 2, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. via Webex, and all bid submissions must be electronically submitted through the BidBuy system by December 10, 2024, with bids remaining firm for 90 days from the opening date.

The procurement has no specific Business Enterprise Program (BEP) or Veterans Business Program (VBP) goals, and no bid bond or performance bond is required. Payment for services will be exclusively from the Central Inmate Benefit Fund, with the state explicitly stating no liability for payment. The contract will be awarded to the lowest priced responsive and responsible bidder, with the recent award going to Friendship Cable of Texas, Inc. at $358,986.00 for the five-year term. Vendors must complete standard Illinois Procurement Gateway vendor disclosure forms, including certifications of eligibility, tax information, and compliance with state regulations. The procurement process allows for six total bidders, with bids ranging from $358,986.00 to $1,727,100.00. Notably, the state reserves the right to terminate the contract without penalty if Central Inmate Benefit Funds become unavailable, and the vendor must train facility staff within the first 30 days of the contract.