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Comal County approves RFP for inmate phone services as vendors warn of coming FCC rule changes
Summary
The court approved release of an RFP for inmate telephone services while a vendor warned that new FCC rules will cap calling rates, eliminate commissions and could cost counties about $360,000 a year if contracts are renegotiated before rule implementation.
Comal County Commissioners voted Sept. 5 to release an RFP seeking inmate telephone and related services, while hearing industry warnings about imminent Federal Communications Commission rule changes that will lower calling rates and eliminate commission payments to counties.
Brendan Philbin, vice president of product development for IC Solutions, told the court the FCC posted rules on Aug. 27 that will lower per-minute rates and "the complete elimination of commissions," and that the rules also change which ancillary services are included in a basic phone system. "Most significant changes would be as new rate caps reduce calling rates for both phone calling and for video visitation and the complete elimination of commissions," Philbin said. He estimated the county currently receives in excess of $30,000 per month in commissions (about $360,000 annually) and urged the court to weigh whether to issue the RFP now or exercise an available renewal through December 2025.
County purchasing staff said the RFP is written to require FCC compliance and noted that delaying procurement could compress the schedule needed to transition services before the current contract lapses. The sheriff's office and jail leadership described additional technology options (mail scanning, tablets, video visitation) that the RFP allows vendors to propose; the court approved release of the RFP by voice vote.
