Information Technology System

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice is requesting offers for installation, operation, and maintenance of a comprehensive Inmate Technology System across all TDCJ facilities statewide under RFO 696-IT-26-O003, with responses due September 25, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. CT. A VetHUB subcontracting goal of 3.00% applies; all respondents must submit a completed subcontracting plan documenting good faith outreach to at least two certified Texas Veteran Heroes United in Business vendors for each identified subcontracting opportunity, and any modifications to listed subcontractors or shift from self-performing to subcontracting requires prior written agency approval.

The scope encompasses inmate telephone service (prepaid and collect modes for local, intrastate, interstate, and international calls), inmate tablet service for approximately 149,000 incarcerated individuals, digital mail and eMessaging capabilities, and a digital recording system for all communications. The contractor must provide all necessary personnel, infrastructure, hardware, software, equipment, installation, operation, maintenance, support, materials, and supplies at no cost to TDCJ. The contractor assumes full responsibility for ADA compliance costs, workstation and printer replacement throughout the contract term, manufacturer hardware and software upgrades, and tablet replacement management. Contractors may charge inmates for premium tablet content (movies, music, books, games) but are prohibited from charging per-minute fees for premium content access. Critical content, outbound substance abuse help messages, inmate trouble tickets, uncompleted calls, and 24/7 managed system access are provided at no charge to inmates. All call recordings, digital mail, eMessages, and related data become exclusive TDCJ property. The contract term begins upon signature with a guaranteed completion timeline of 180 days from service commencement.

Pre-proposal conferences and site visits are scheduled for August 10–13, 2026 at three TDCJ units: Holliday Unit, Estelle Unit, and Polunsky Unit. Proposals must be submitted electronically through https://tdcj.bonfirehub.com. Contract specialists Ellyse Collins (ellyse.collins@tdcj.texas.gov, 936-437-3484) and Janice Wooley (936-437-3834) serve as primary contacts.