REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
March 24, 2026
FROM
SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator
SUBJECT
Title
Proposal with Gartner, Inc., for Consulting Services for the Jail Information Management System
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Authorize the County to participate in County of Ventura Contract (No. 9658), for the provision of subscription-based information technology research and advisory services, approved on April 29, 2025 through April 28, 2028.
2. Approve Proposal with Gartner, Inc., subject to the contract in Recommendation No. 1, to provide consulting services for the replacement of the Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator’s existing Jail Information Management System to a new scalable, secure, and future ready solution, in an amount not to exceed $775,000, plus optional services, beginning March 24, 2026 through March 23, 2027.
3. Authorize the Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector to post necessary budget adjustments for the Jail Information Management System Project to the 2025-26 budget as detailed in the Financial Impact section (Four votes required).
(Presenter: Carolina Mendoza, Chief Deputy Director, 387-0640)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Improve County Government Operations.
Operate in a Fiscally-Responsible and Business-Like Manner.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The contract will be funded from the Jail Information Management System General Fund Reserve.
The Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator (Department) requests the Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector (ATC) to post the following adjustments to the 2025-26 budget to pay for the estimated cost for the fiscal year. Sufficient appropriation will be included in future recommended budgets:
|
Fund Center |
Commitment Item |
Description |
Action |
Amount |
|
4430001000 |
52002445 |
Other Professional & Specialized Services |
Increase |
$775,000 |
|
1000 |
37008200 |
Fund Balance-Committed - Asset Replacement |
Decrease |
$775,000 |
The cost for the proposed scope of work, Phases 1, and 2, as detailed in the proposal referenced in Recommendation No. 2 (Proposal) is a fixed amount. The cost of optional services is dependent on the Department’s needs, which may include services such as readiness and change support services, and program assurance services. The Department will return to the Board of Supervisors (Board) for approval of additional services beyond the current scope, as necessary.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The Technical Services Division seeks Gartner, Inc. (Gartner) consulting services to help modernize the Department’s Jail Information Management System (JIMS). The Department, in partnership with the County Innovation and Technology Department (ITD), developed the current JIMS to support inmate booking, housing, classification, and related services. Now, more than 35 years old, JIMS operates on an outdated mainframe platform that is increasingly expensive to maintain and difficult to support. The system is written in an obsolete programming language, and internal ITD expertise is steadily declining. ITD has advised the Department that, without a modernization effort, continued support and maintenance will increase the risk of system instability, become increasingly challenging and costly, and severely limit the ability to support enhancements, system integrations, and data analytics.
JIMS modernization is a complex, multi-year effort that will impact all detention staff and justice partner stakeholders. Gartner is a recognized industry leader in technology research and advisory services, with expertise in government and County application modernization efforts, including nationwide JIMS modernization projects. After reviewing Gartner’s proposal and speaking with three reference clients-including the City of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Clayton County, Georgia; and Maricopa County, Arizona-Gartner brings the depth of experience and professional guidance the Department needs. Each reference supported Gartner’s ability to manage complex justice system transformations, their proven project management methodologies, and their capacity to deliver actionable results and support throughout the project life cycle. Gartner also has local knowledge and a history of successful technology sourcing and modernization engagements within San Bernardino County, including work with Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, ATC, Human Resources, and ITD.
Approval of Recommendations No. 1 and No. 2 will enable Gartner to provide consulting services to the Department in support of the JIMS modernization initiative. Under this engagement, Gartner will assist the Department with strategy development, project preparation, requirements gathering, and the creation of a comprehensive Request for Proposal (RFP). Their support will help ensure a governance-structured and objective approach to replacing the legacy JIMS platform with a scalable, secure, and future-ready solution. Their expertise will help the Department make informed decisions, reduce risk, and achieve lasting improvements in public safety, data sharing, and operational efficiency.
PROCUREMENT
On January 2025, the General Services Agency (GSA) of Ventura County (Ventura) released RFP No. 6203 for Information Technology Research and Advisory Services via Ventura’s GSA Procurement website. Ventura, working in cooperation with the California County Information Services Directors Association (CCISDA), sought competitive proposals from qualified vendors to provide subscription-based information technology research and advisory services. Ventura received six proposals which were evaluated by a multi-jurisdictional team comprised of members from both CCISDA and Ventura.
Gartner’s proposal to the Department for the JIMS solution replacement was provided under the provisions of Ventura Contract No. 9658 and incorporates its terms by reference. The Purchasing Department concurs with the competitive procurement of Gartner for consulting services for the JIMS replacement.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Grace B. Parsons, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on January 27, 2026; Purchasing (Jason Cloninger, Lead Buyer, 387-0321) on January 26, 2026; Risk Management (Stephanie Mead, Staff Analyst, 386-9044) on February 19, 2026; Innovative and Technology Department (Lynn Fyhrlund, Chief Information Officer, 388-0586) on February 25, 2026; and County Finance and Administration (Erika Rodarte, Administrative Analyst, 387-4919) on February 19, 2026.