IDOC JACKS IBF Cable TV Service JAW

The Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) is seeking a cable television programming service provider for the Jacksonville Correctional Center through an Invitation for Bid (IFB) specific to Mercer County. The procurement, identified as Bid #25-426DOC-JACKS-B-45885, requires a vendor to provide comprehensive cable TV services for approximately 800-1,100 inmate television units, with a minimum of 89 specified channels including four in-house channels. The successful vendor must install and maintain all necessary equipment up to the facility's living unit taps, including headend equipment, hardline cable, and CATV infrastructure. Critical requirements include 24/7 technical support via a toll-free number, technician dispatch within 48 hours for service issues, and complete compliance with facility security protocols, including mandatory background checks for all personnel. The contract has a defined initial term of five years, with services required to commence by January 31, 2024, and bids must be submitted electronically through the BidBuy system by January 10, 2025. Evaluation will be based on the lowest priced responsive and responsible bidder, with bids required to remain firm for 120 days from the opening date.

The procurement includes specific set-aside considerations, requiring vendors to be registered with the Illinois Small Business Set-Aside Program if designated as a small business procurement. Small business awardees may subcontract up to 49% of the contract value to non-small businesses, and a $15 Minority Contractor Initiative fee is mandatory for contracts exceeding $1,000. The current service provider is Mediacom, and the facility contains existing infrastructure including buried cable from 1984, Terrace TC600 HF QAM to Analog converters, a Bridger, and an SV 3BG Splitter. Vendors must maintain substantial insurance coverage, including $1,000,000 per occurrence in general commercial liability, $2,000,000 annual aggregate, and $1,000,000 in auto liability insurance. The contract will be funded exclusively through the Central Inmate Benefit Fund, with payment based on semi-annual television unit counts. Notably, while specific contract value is not disclosed, the vendor will be responsible for all equipment outside the facility perimeter, with equipment within the perimeter becoming the facility's property upon installation.