Jail Connectivity & Inmate Communication System RFP

Portage County, Wisconsin has issued Request for Proposal (RFP) #2023-04 seeking a comprehensive Jail Connectivity and Inmate Communication System for its 79-bed jail facility. The county requires a qualified vendor to provide web-based software, telephones, kiosks, and portable tablet devices that will enable integrated inmate communications through voice, video, text, and electronic messaging, along with commissary and banking functionality. Mandatory vendor qualifications include a minimum of five years of experience in providing inmate communications and jail services, and the ability to offer a complete integrated solution with all specified hardware and software. The proposal evaluation will use a 1,000-point scoring system, with points allocated as follows: Organization Capabilities (200 points), Staff/Installation/Support (100 points), Proposer Solutions (500 points), and Cost Proposal (200 points). Key proposal deadlines include a submission due date of April 6, 2023 at 2:00 PM, anticipated shortlisting of firms by April 17, 2023, potential interviews and presentations on May 2, 2023, and a planned contract award during the week of May 22, 2023. The contract will be effective upon execution and continue through December 31, 2026, with three optional one-year renewal periods available by mutual agreement.

The RFP does not specify any specific set-aside designations or restrictions on responding organizations. The current incumbent vendor is Securus Technologies, which receives a 51 percent commission on phone revenue. The existing infrastructure includes 12 inmate phones, one portable device, two in-person visitation booths with recording capability, and 10 video visitation kiosks. Inmates currently pay 21 cents per minute for calls, with video visitation sessions priced at $20 for 20 minutes and $40 for 40 minutes. While specific budget ranges are not explicitly stated, historical commission data from July through December 2022 shows monthly revenues ranging from approximately $3,014 to $4,612. The county requires no-cost installation and mandates that the vendor assume all service costs for equipment repairs and system maintenance throughout the contract term. Proposers must carry insurance with the County named as an additional insured, and all proposals will become the County's property upon submission.