Sponsor: Sheriff's Office
Title
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Agreements with Taher, Inc., and Trinity Services Group, Inc., for Food Services
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Recommendation
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1. Approve the selection of and the agreements with Taher, Inc., 5570 Smetana Drive, Minnetonka, Minnesota 55343 and Trinity Services Group, Inc., 477 Commerce Boulevard, Oldsmar, Florida 34677 for food services for the period of May 18, 2026 through May 17, 2028 with the option to be renewed for three additional one-year periods for a total of five years, in accordance with the rates established in the agreements.
2. Authorize the Chair and Chief Clerk to execute the agreements.
3. Authorize the County Manager to execute amendments to the agreements in accordance with the County’s procurement policies and procedures, provided the amounts are within the limits of available funding.
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Background and Rationale
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The Sheriff’s Office operates the Adult Detention Center, commonly referred to as the Ramsey County jail, which is a 500-bed pre-trial facility providing safe and secure detention services to individuals following their arrest until a court disposition is reached. A variety of services are provided by the Sheriff’s Office for those in-custody, including educational programming, chemical addiction classes, parenting classes, and religious service. Through the use of contract vendors, inmate commissary, trust accounting, food service, telephone, video visitation, and tablet services are also provided.
Under state law, Ramsey County is responsible for providing food services at the Adult Detention Center. Traditionally, food services have been provided by a contractor.
The Sheriff’s Office issued a competitive solicitation for these services on November 19, 2025. The county received three (3) proposal responses.
Below is the competitive solicitation summary:
Request for Proposals (RFP Title): Food Services
RFP Release Date: November 19, 2025
RFP Response Date: January 8, 2026
Number of Contractors Notified: 630
Respondents: Summit Food Services
Taher, Inc.
Trinity Services Group, Inc.
Proposal Evaluation Committee: Lieutenant, Sheriff’s Office
Acting Lieutenant, Sheriff’s Office
Correctional Officer, Sheriff’s Office
Planning Manager, Sheriff’s Office
Lieutenant, Community Corrections Department
Manager, Social Services Department
RFP Evaluation Criteria: Qualifications and Experience
Workplan
Pricing
Menus
Exceptions to County’s Terms and Conditions
Originality/Creativity
Contractor Recommended: Taher, Inc. (prime contractor)
Trinity Services Group, Inc. (secondary contractor)
The evaluation team evaluated the proposals based on the criteria identified in the solicitation and is recommending Taher, Inc., as the prime contractor and Trinity Services Group, Inc., as the secondary contractor to provide food services. A prime and secondary contractor is recommended to ensure continuity of operations for this mandated service.
The full term of both cooperative agreements is May 18, 2026 through May 17, 2028 with the option to be renewed for three additional one-year periods for a total of five years.
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County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☒ Well-being ☒ Prosperity ☒ Opportunity ☒ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
The Adult Detention Center serves individuals with diverse cultural and religious beliefs and backgrounds. As such, special and religious dietary food is also provided. There is a disproportionate amount of people of color and individuals with mental illness involved in the criminal justice system. This action will help continue and strengthen the delivery of food services and provide a more humane environment.
Community Participation Level and Impact
There is no community engagement associated with this board action.
☒ Inform ☐ Consult ☐ Involve ☐ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
Funding for food services is provided in the Sheriff’s Office 2026-2027 operating budget.
Last Previous Action
On November 18, 2025, the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners approved the issuance of Request for Proposals for Food Services (Resolution B2025-211).
Attachments
1. Professional Services Agreement with Taher, Inc.
2. Professional Services Agreement with Trinity Services Group, Inc.