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BACKGROUND: Over the course of time, inmates at the Indian River County Jail try to vandalize various items associated with the jail. It ranges from plugging toilets and drains to the air conditioning vents, which is the focus of this agenda item. The attached memo from Building and Grounds Superintendent, Lynn Williams, describes the problem being encountered along with a suggested solution. A local vendor with fabricating capabilities, Barry's Ornamental Iron, is capable of fabricating the aluminum vents for a quoted price of $85.00 each for the number of vents needed at the jail. The proposed fabricated vents will have openings large enough to prevent clogging but small enough to prevent the inmates from getting their hands into the vent and hiding contraband. As identified within the memo from Lynn Williams, there would be a need to have fabricated ninety-four (94) vents costing a total of $7,990. Since this total exceeds the $5,000 bid limit, the Board would need to waive the bidding requirements and authorize staff to purchase the vents for the quoted price of $85.00 each for a total of $7,990 from Barry's Ornamental Iron RE COMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the Board waive the bidding requirement and authorize staff to proceed with the purchase and fabrication of the 94 vents at a price of $85.00 each for a total of $7,990 from Barry's Ornamental Iron located in Vero Beach. Commissioner Ginn thought the product was pricy, and General Services Director Tom Frame explained the concerns that need to be addressed which include inmates' attempts to block, vandalize, and hide contraband in the air-conditioning ducts and there is no prefabricated product available; the vent cover he showed them was hand -made to fit the steel framed air-conditioning duct. Discussion followed Commissioner Adams' suggestion that if the air is too cold, why not close off the vents. Director Frame will research the present air-conditioning vent system and report back to the Board, but in the interim he asked for their approval of this item. Commissioner Neuberger agreed with Commissioner Ginn that $85 each is steep, and Commissioner Adams advised she had some recent experience in a similar situation and for hand -made products it is not really that steep. Commissioner Lowther liked the design but agreed we need to look for a permanent solution. November 19, 2002 54 iii