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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Lt. Bryan Handell, Aurora Police Department
DATE: 01/05/22
SUBJECT:
Resolution Approving the Contract with NCIC Inmate Communications for inmate phone service in the Aurora City Jail.
PURPOSE:
Recommendation of bid award for the Aurora city jail inmate phone system to the most responsible bidder, meeting the requirements and intent of the specifications and best responding to the city's needs.
BACKGROUND:
The contract with the previous provider for the jail's inmate phone service expired at the end of 2021. Currently, detainees are allowed to make their phone calls on city phones in the intake area. The new phone system would be located in cells to increase officer safety by eliminating unnecessary contact with detainees and reducing the amount of time spent by staff providing calls to detainees. These calls would be tracked, logged, and recorded in accordance with Illinois law. Detainees would still be provided with three free phone calls within three hours of being taken into custody as required by law.
DISCUSSION:
In October of 2021, The City of Aurora released a Request for Proposal (21-75) for the inmate telephone system at the Aurora Police Department Jail. Two companies responded with bid packages: NCIC Inmate Communications and Stellar Services. The previous inmate phone system vendor did not respond to the RFP. Jail supervisors reviewed the packages based on the system capabilities. The commission rate was not reviewed until after a selection was made on a preferred vendor based on system capabilities in order to not be influenced by potential rates.
NCIC Inmate Communications was selected as the vendor that would best serve the interests of the police department and detainees due to it meeting more of the bid requirements than Stellar Services. The system offered more features and tools for jail personnel, investigators, and detainees. The equipment is safe, durable, and appropriate for use in a j...
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