RFP - Ignition Interlock Devices, Portable Alcohol Testing Devices, and Associated Services for Harris County Pretrial Services

Harris County, Texas is issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the provision of Ignition Interlock Devices, Portable Alcohol Testing Devices, and Associated Services for Harris County Pretrial Services, with proposals due on April 27, 2026, and contract performance commencing on or about March 1, 2026, for an initial one-year term with four optional one-year renewals. The procurement encompasses all labor, equipment, materials, and services necessary to monitor client compliance with probation and bond conditions, including the operation and maintenance of a minimum of ten fixed service centers across Harris County with extended hours (Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and a minimum of two Saturdays monthly), bilingual service technicians, 24/7 toll-free customer support, and device installations completed within one business day of scheduling. All ignition interlock devices must comply with Texas Administrative Code Section 37, Parts 1, Chapters 10 and 19, with alcohol set points at 0.03g/210 liters of breath, incorporate near-real-time data transmission capabilities and camera technology for user identification, and include monthly calibration services; portable alcohol testing devices must be NHTSA-certified and capable of near-real-time data transmission. Vendors must maintain minimum five-year data retention with secure website access for Harris County Pretrial Services personnel, provide encrypted data transmission, and furnish comprehensive reporting capabilities, employee training at no cost, client transition services, and testimony and documentation as required. The evaluation committee will assess proposals on a weighted basis: Scope of Services/Narrative (30%), Pricing (10%), Firm Capacity & Resources (30%), and Firm Experience & Qualifications (30%), with all pricing structured as all-inclusive with no separate line item rates accepted and compensation provided monthly based on milestone or progress-payment for equipment "in use." Harris County reserves the right to award to a single vendor or multiple vendors, designating "Primary" and "Secondary" vendors as appropriate, with no award effective until approved by Harris County Commissioners Court.

The RFP contains no specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises, though the Subcontractor Listing Form requires identification of any subcontractors certified as Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUB), Minority-Owned/Women-Owned Businesses (MWBE), or Section 3 certified entities; Harris County further requires all contractors to comply with a mandatory minimum wage of $21.65 per hour (adjusted annually effective October 1st based on the MIT Living Wage Calculator) for all workers directly assigned to the contract. All bidders must be currently authorized by the Texas Department of Public Safety under the Ignition Interlock Device statute with authorization remaining active and non-suspended through contract award, obtain NHTSA certification, and comply with Texas Administrative Code requirements. Vendors must submit a bid guaranty equal to 5% of the total bid value (either an individual bid bond or cashier's check), and successful bidders must provide a performance and payment bond equal to 100% of the proposal amount within ten days of award if the total contract amount exceeds $25,000. Bidders must also meet comprehensive insurance requirements including Workers Compensation ($1,000,000 per accident), Commercial General Liability ($1,000,000 per occurrence with $2,000,000 general aggregate), Automobile Liability ($1,000,000 combined single limit), Umbrella/Excess Liability ($1,000,000), and Professional/Errors & Omissions Liability ($1,000,000) if applicable, with Harris County named as an additional insured on a primary, non-contributory basis. No incumbent vendor information or specific budget range has been disclosed; however, all pricing must be structured as all-inclusive with Harris County making payments only for equipment in use, and vendors assume complete responsibility for equipment replacement, maintenance, repair, and all software and equipment upgrades at no additional cost.