Request for FCC approved CIS providers

The South Carolina State Fiscal Accountability Authority (SFAA) for the Department of Corrections (SCDC) is conducting a solicitation to establish a Qualified Providers List (QPL) for FCC-Certified Contraband Interdiction Systems (CIS) across correctional facilities. The procurement seeks vendors capable of deploying sophisticated cellular device detection technologies that can identify and potentially disable unauthorized mobile phones within prison environments. Vendors must provide comprehensive CIS solutions that can capture cellular device identifiers across all technologies, including 5G, while maintaining the ability to distinguish between contraband and authorized devices. Key deliverables include a turnkey FCC-Certified CIS for full contraband device management and a detection-only service. Prospective suppliers must demonstrate FCC approval for their technologies and provide a detailed Statement of Work with their proposals. A non-mandatory web conference pre-proposal meeting is scheduled for 4/9/2025 at 1:30 PM EST, with vendor proposals due by 4/24/2025 at 11:00 AM EST. The initial QPL will be posted on 4/30/2025 and remain valid through 2030.

The solicitation does not explicitly specify set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. Vendors must be registered in the state's procurement system and complete a vendor registration process before submission. While no incumbent vendors are mentioned, the solicitation indicates that subsequent CIS implementation contracts will be limited to suppliers pre-qualified through this process. The procurement requires vendors to provide technical support within one business day and demonstrate high confidence in identifying contraband devices while minimizing false positives and negatives. Interestingly, both line items (turnkey CIS and detection-only service) are priced at $1.00 for qualification purposes, suggesting that actual contract values will be determined in subsequent solicitations. The ultimate goal of this procurement aligns with the FCC's July 2021 rules regarding contraband phones in correctional settings, focusing on technological solutions to enhance security in state correctional facilities.