Specialized Plumbing Parts for Jail Controls Systems

Sarasota County is pursuing a sole source procurement with I-CON Systems Inc for specialized plumbing parts designed specifically for jail control systems. The procurement focuses on acquiring unique water management technology that regulates flushing, controls water pressure, and prevents water abuse and contraband destruction in correctional facilities. Solicitation number 2024-ISS-141 was released on February 21, 2024, with electronic responses due through the ProcureNow portal by February 26, 2024, at 5:00 pm. Questions from potential respondents were to be submitted by February 23, 2024. The county's primary objective is to secure replacement and retrofit parts for an existing automated plumbing system initially installed in the East Jail in 2015. I-CON Systems claims exclusive manufacturing and distribution rights for their product, protected by trademarks and patents, with no comparable alternatives available in the market. The solicitation includes a provision that allows the county to cancel the sole source procurement if other vendors can demonstrate the ability to supply substantially similar products and services.

The procurement appears to have no specific set-aside designations or restrictions on respondent types. The incumbent vendor, I-CON Systems Inc, is positioned as the sole source provider with an estimated expenditure of $150,000 per fiscal year. The contract is set to be renewed for one year, extending from 04/13/2024 to 04/12/2025, with no changes to the previously approved expenditure amount. Vendors interested in providing alternative solutions are invited to complete an Intent to Sole Source Response form and submit documentation supporting their capability. The procurement is subject to the availability of lawfully budgeted and appropriated funds, and Sarasota County reserves the right to terminate the purchase order at any time with written notice. The existing infrastructure involves an automated plumbing system for water conservation that has been successfully implemented in the county's East Jail facility since 2015, with in-house plumbers prepared to install the specialized parts.