Service and Maintenance for a DigiTag 1650 Thermal Transfer Printer

The State of Connecticut Department of Administrative Services, on behalf of the Department of Corrections, is soliciting bids through an Invitation to Bid (ITB) for service and maintenance of one DigiTag 1650 thermal transfer printer located at Cheshire Correctional Institution. The procurement seeks qualified contractors to provide comprehensive annual service including preventative maintenance (twice yearly), corrective maintenance and repairs, original equipment manufacturer authorized parts replacement, software support and updates, technical support via toll-free telephone, and personnel training at no additional cost. Key deliverables and service level requirements include a four-hour response time to service requests, next-business-day technician dispatch if remote resolution fails, 24-hour emergency call center availability, and maintenance of 98 percent annual equipment uptime, with up to two print heads provided annually at no additional cost. Required contractor qualifications include manufacturer authorization to service the DigiTag 1650 equipment, relevant certifications or licenses, three references from separate organizations demonstrating experience with similar supplies or services, current campaign contribution certifications, and compliance with Connecticut Standard Wage Rates for Certain Service Workers. The contract term runs from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2029, with potential extension for additional terms not exceeding the original three-year period, and DAS retains sole discretion on approval and extension. The solicitation period runs from April 6, 2026, at 7:00 AM EDT through April 20, 2026, at 2:00 PM EDT, with a vendor question and answer period from April 6, 2026, at 7:15 AM EDT through April 13, 2026, at 2:00 PM EDT; all responses must be submitted electronically through the CTsource online portal. Award will be made to the lowest responsible qualified respondent based on pricing, conformity to specifications, past performance, financial responsibility, and delivery terms, with payment terms of Net 45 Days and Free On Board Destination pricing requirements.

This solicitation is open to all vendors with no identified set-asides for disadvantaged enterprises or restricted organizational categories. The prior contract award 19PSX0031AB is being replaced by this new solicitation. Contractors must maintain commercial general liability insurance of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate, automobile liability coverage of $1,000,000 combined single limit, and workers' compensation insurance in accordance with Connecticut law. All contractor employees require background checks and security clearance prior to entry into the correctional facility and must comply with strict Department of Corrections security protocols, including restrictions on contraband such as cell phones and tobacco products, mandatory escort requirements, and limited work hours between 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The contractor is prohibited from using subcontractors and must provide monthly service reports and annual performance reports. Specific award values or budget ranges are not disclosed in the available documentation; pricing must be submitted as a firm fixed annual price covering all services, parts, labor, remote diagnostics, on-site service, emergency services, and required print head replacements, with price adjustments after the initial twelve-month period capped at the lesser of three percent annually or the percentage increase in the Producer Price Index for machinery and equipment repair and maintenance.