Sheriff notifies commission of planned RFP for jail food services and reports staffing shortfall

The Grand Forks County sheriff told commissioners on March 17 that the county plans to issue a request for proposals for the jail’s food-service contract and that the current vendor agreed to extend service through July to allow for competitive bidding.

"We're currently being supplied all inmate foods by a summit ... I did get them to extend our current contract through July, with a non renewal requirement clause in there so we can have the bids out," the sheriff said, explaining multiple food-service companies had expressed interest in bidding.

The sheriff also gave a status report on facility work and staffing. He said Pod 2 is largely complete following walkthroughs and touch-ups and that ongoing courthouse work has delayed further pod projects. On staffing, he said the jail was "down six" officers and that two promising candidates were scheduled for interviews the next day; if they were hired the shortfall could fall to about four officers, which he said would make it more feasible to operate all housing pods.

Commissioners asked follow-up questions about timelines for finishing Pod 2 and whether staffing would support opening additional units. The sheriff said managers are stretched by medication administration and other duties and described plans to expand recruitment efforts.

Why it matters: staffing levels and vendor contracts directly affect operations at the county correctional center, inmate services and the county’s budget planning. The sheriff said he does not foresee a budget amendment for the RFP but noted amendments would require board approval.

What’s next: staff will issue the RFP and seek competitive bids; the sheriff will continue recruitment and report back as candidates are hired.