The Virginian-Pilot
©
CHESAPEAKE
For 15 years, Securus Technologies Inc. has provided telephone service for inmates in the Chesapeake City Jail, pumping $4 million in commissions back to the city.
This year, the city disqualified the company from bidding on the latest contract. Securus is suing the city, arguing that the city violated state law in wrongfully removing Securus from the competition.
The lawsuit, filed in Chesapeake Circuit Court, states that Securus was disqualified from bidding for not attending a mandatory pre-bid meeting. Securus, based in Dallas, contends it never received notification from the city about a mandatory meeting.
The lawsuit alleges that City Councilman C. E. "Cliff" Hayes Jr., information systems manager for the Sheriff's Office, "favored one of Securus' competitors before the competition even began" and had a known relationship with the competitor on other city dealings.
Hayes said Tuesday he was puzzled that his name was mentioned in the lawsuit, saying "computer guys" such as himself have nothing to do with the procurement process.
"I don't favor anybody," he said. "My job is simply the administration of technology here."
The lawsuit seeks to reverse the city's decision to disqualify Securus. City Attorney Ron Hallman said his office is evaluating the lawsuit but could not comment.
Securus had designed and serviced inmate telephone systems in more than 3,100 facilities. In Chesapeake, Securus handles phone services in both the adult and juvenile lockups.
On April 24, the city sent requests for proposals to a number of Securus' competitors but "either intentionally or negligently failed" to send the same request to Securus, the lawsuit said. The city, however, contends it sent notice to Securus, the lawsuit said.
In June, Securus submitted a "timely" response to the city concerning the contract but was informed that it was disqualified for failing to attend the "mandatory pre-bid meeting."
John Hopkins, (757) 222-5221, john.hopkins@pilotonline.com
Delicious
Digg
Reddit
Facebook
Twitter
Google
Yahoo
follow the money
Campaign contribution reports are public record, look at the last election campaign contribution reports to see who gave what to who. There is where your answer resides.
Do not back down!!
I work for a company that does contract work for the Navy and we make sure that we know about every bidding that is going on. I also had a brother in the PA prison system. He called me once and when I got the bill I just about hit the floor. I of course called the provider and told them that the fees I was charged were wrong. As stated before if you can not afford the call then just say no.
The Norm in Chesapeake
They do it all the time not shocked. Yeah I bidded on a grass contract and won,but Chesapeake overlooked me, and several other companies who were experienced and gave it to TME the highest bidder. The workers didn't even speak English. When asked why I was told that the purchasing director was left out of the loop on that contract. I guess there are grass maffia's, telephone maffias etc when it comes to contracting in Chesapeake.
Better way
" The fees associated with those calls are absurdly high. Maybe someone needs to look for a better way."
Why not return to a bank of coin operated telephones. He [or she] who has the money gets to use the phone. Of course this pocket change would come from family members but I imagine it's a lot cheaper than the exhorbitant fees being tacked onto phone bills for all the collect calls.
Court's time is always taken up with stuff like this
If you sit on a civil court sometime, this is the kind of stuff they do all the time. That's why they exist. The city probably doesn't care either way but if they granted them an exception to the rules, someone else would complain about preferential treatment of a competitor. If they go to court and get an impartial ruling then no one has a basis to complain.
Phone debt
Cities put out Request For Bids "RFB's" on contracts. They do NOT call every phone company provider and let them know that there is a contract out for bid. When the request is made they can and will set up a "Pre-Bid" meeting. Making it mandatory. If your company doe snot show up, oops so sorry for you. You should have been paying attention. Case should be DROPPED, stop wasting the taxpayers money.
Now, my son is locked up in Missouri, they have pre-paid calls there .10 a minute, anywhere in the USA. If he calls collect its $ 4.83 the first minute and .99 each minute after $18.69 for 15 minutes. Rook and Crook the families for all those collect calls, shame on the phone company. Oh and if the phone somehow dies 3 minutes into the call, no credit for the call and charges start all over again. Step up to the plate Chesapeake and don't hurt the familes of inmates. They didn't do the crime.
Yes, communications error or misunderstanding!
"Officials with Securus, based in Dallas, Texas, contend the company never received notification from the city about a mandatory meeting."
I am sure the issue will be resolved without litigation. How can anybody defend the cost of phone s without addressing how much the "working stiffs" are paying to incarcerate these criminals? Pablo, show me where I criticized anybody in my post? I did not call anybody dumb or criticize an entire school system that has nothing to do with the issue. Pablo, we have obviously disagreed on many issues, but I have also said "nothing personal" and "I'm sure you are a good guy". You have been pretty harsh on me too. Don't cast stones in your glass house! :)
I stick to issues and have research-based evidence to back what I say, whether others like it or not. Peace!
Ease Up??
Such trivial issues taking up the courts time!! It actually cost $1.50 for 15 minutes for the inmates and it's a priviledge!! No one is getting stiffed because the families have the option of saying NO when asked if they accept the charges. They do have visitation day for the inmates and families that are on the list. Got2win1, ease up??? ... error in communication or some other reasonable, harmless explanation... wow!!!! Talk about criticizing anybody??? I'm just curious as to who hides behind a fictitious name and criticizes everyone??????? Just my observation and opinion!!
ripoff
every jail/prison/correctional system sticks it to the inmates and their family's.i visit an inmate from time to time and the canteen he uses in that facility it costs him $30 in quarters to get two sodas two hamburgers and a few bags of chips.and the telephone situation is the same way.its bad enough these people commit the crimes they do,but why make them suffer and their family's by ripping them off,most criminals family's are of limited means or worse as it is.my friend bought a 12 inch tv from the prison px he paid over $178 for it i saw the same exact set for under $35 at wall mart.how and why do they let them get away with this.they wont let you bring simple things from outside like underwear or tee shirts,tooth paste or soap even if they are in factory sealed packaging.regardless of the crimes they have done they still have wives,children,mothers,fathers.they put themselves there but the
Good Point!
The families of inmates at the jail "are the ones getting stiffed". Ain't that the truth. Securus, the city of Chesapeake, and all of the other cities need to either give the families a break, or let the inmates pay for their own calls (phone booth?) Maybe the jail could allow an emergency call to a family member for a justifiable reason. I do not understand why the corrections system feels that it is necessary to treat family members like criminals.