Satellite Television Programming Services for ECI and ECI Annex

The Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services is requesting bids on satellite television programming services for Eastern Correctional Institution and ECI-Annex under IFB BPM055983, with bids due August 6, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. through eMMA. A small-business preference of 5% applies to certified small businesses, 7% to veteran-owned small businesses, and 8% to disabled-veteran-owned small businesses; 0% MBE and VSBE participation goals are established.

The scope covers furnishing, installation, operation, maintenance, replacement, and support of head-end equipment and satellite dishes to serve approximately 3,246 incarcerated individuals and 788 DPSCS employees across both medium and minimum-security facilities in Somerset County. The contractor must deliver a minimum of 16 quality programming channels plus all available local broadcast channels to approximately 3,000 combined cable drops (90% of the population pre-wired, including multiple drops per cell and throughout recreation and support areas) in both digital and analog formats. The channel list includes local broadcasts from Salisbury and New York and national cable networks (CNN, ESPN, ESPN2, FX, TBS, TNT, A&E, SCI-FI, The Weather Channel, USA Network, Discovery Channel, AMC, BET, Telemundo, Univision); WNBC-NBC requires cost consideration. The contractor must respond to service requests within 4 hours and complete repairs within 24 hours, provide replacement channels at no cost if any of the 16 channels become unavailable, and maintain commercial general liability insurance of $1 million combined single limit per occurrence and $3 million annual aggregate.

The contract term is five years with no renewal options, Firm Fixed Price, single award. Bidders must demonstrate a minimum of three consecutive years within the last five years of comparable cable or satellite television programming services with headend equipment and provide two or more reference checks. A pre-bid conference was held July 21, 2026 via Google Meet; a site visit occurred July 22, 2026 (attendance not mandatory). Questions were due July 28, 2026. Addendum No. 1 was issued July 30, 2026. Electronic products removed or replaced must be recycled by R2 or e-Stewards certified recyclers per Maryland State requirements. All equipment installed becomes State property upon contract termination.