Sheriff seeks RFPs for patrol SUVs and a transport van; commissioners approve Harmon contracts, jail office renovations and plumbing valves

Sheriff’s office leaders briefed the Penobscot County Commission March 11 and received authority to start procurement for vehicles and repair work.

The commission approved the administrator signing two contracts with the town of Harmon for contracted deputies and school resource officer services; the administrator will execute the agreements on the commission’s behalf.

The sheriff asked to begin a request‑for‑proposals process now to secure 10 SUV patrol vehicles for the 2026 fleet (Tahoes/SUVs) because dealer ordering and color (white) constraints require early ordering. The commission approved issuing the RFP to accommodate supplier ordering schedules.

The commission also authorized an RFP for a replacement transport van after the current van experienced a motor failure; the van procurement is limited to the vehicle only, with any insert or containment work to be procured separately or through a local installer.

For jail facility work, commissioners approved two office renovations inside the secure perimeter (duty‑station desk and flooring rather than carpet) and authorized the purchase of additional plumbing valve components for the jail—up to $20,000—using existing capital allocations from the ARPA/buildings account. Commissioners noted a contractor’s availability and past performance when approving the work.

All items were approved by unanimous vote at the March 11 meeting; individual purchase approvals will return to procurement and contracting steps as required.