A Florida company has won a three-year contract to handle all food services at the Bartholomew County Jail.
Headquartered in the Tampa Bay area, Trinity Services Group was awarded the contract Monday by the Bartholomew County commissioners.
“We are anticipating a savings of about $50,000 annually when you include the cost of food, salaries, benefits, maintenance and everything that goes into running the kitchen,” Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Maj. Brandon Slate told the commissioners.
Both Trinity and a second company, Tiger Correctional Services of Jonesboro, Arkansas, submitted bids on Feb. 12. Although Tiger may have been a few cents cheaper per meal, jail administrators felt the Florida company was their best choice based on other factors, Slate said.
For example, Trinity feeds more than 300,000 inmates in over 40 states, which provides them with extensive buying power, the company’s website states.
Another key reason why the Florida firm was chosen is that they offer a better compensation package for their employees, which Slate said will help with future staffing. In their request to bidders, Bartholomew County stipulated the winning vendor must agree to hire any of the three current kitchen staff members who wish to continue their employment.
“They also offer premium meals that the inmates can order, and pay for them from their commissary fund,” the sheriff’s major said.
In addition, Trinity has agreed to set aside $10,000 to help pay for equipment replacement or repairs, Slate said.
Although jail administrators spent three weeks studying the two submitted bids, Slate said there was no cost per meal comparison that didn’t contain several variables like the number of inmates, jail employees and incentives.
The sheriff’s major also said he received good references concerning Trinity from jail officials in both Indianapolis and Fort Wayne.
The company will be required to provide two hot meals and one cold meal for an average daily population of 240 inmates, according to the bid notice. Meals must also be prepared for an additional 35 individuals who are on a work release program, while alternative meals must be available for those with special dietary needs.
