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File #: 2359-2024    Version: 1
Type: Ordinance Status: Passed
File created: 8/22/2024 In control: Public Safety & Criminal Justice Committee
On agenda: 10/21/2024 Final action: 10/24/2024
Title: To authorize the Director of the Department of Public Safety, on behalf of the Division of Police, to enter into contract with Pen-Link Ltd. to provide computer software licenses and subscriptions that aid in obtaining and analyzing electronic information crucial to resolving cases; to waive the competitive bidding provisions of the Columbus City Codes; to authorize the expenditure of $117,856.49 from the Law Enforcement Contraband Seizure Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($117,856.49)
Attachments: 1. Legislation template - Funding, 2. Bid Waiver 2024
Background
BACKGROUND: This legislation will authorize the Director of Public Safety, on behalf of the Division of Police, to enter into contract with Pen-Link Ltd. for the purpose of continued software licenses, subscriptions and training. Pen-Link is a computer software investigative tool that takes in historical data from search warrants. The information may come from different electronic sources such as cell phones and social media accounts. The new upgraded system will allow investigators to conduct live monitoring and view conversations in real-time with images and videos. The updated system will allow users to map calls and ping locations on suspects. A new sharing feature will also allow users access to a larger database to search and to determine if a suspect is under investigation by other law enforcement agencies.

Bid Information: The original contract was competitively bid in 2013. Pen-Link is the sole source provider of all Pen-Link Software products, series, training, maintenance, software updates, hardware, and configurations. Pen-Link systems must be purchased and serviced by Pen-Link or the agency risks voiding warranties. Pen-Link utilizes no agents, dealers, or distributors to resell the product and is the only product on the market that utilizes an Oracle Database and interface that allows users to input, analyzes, store and search historic telephone and IP data and cannot be competitively bid. Therefore the Division of Police is asking for a bid waiver to continue with the software licenses and training in accordance with relevant provisions of Chapter 329 of the Columbus City Codes.

This company is not debarred according to the Federal excluded parties listing or prohibited from being awarded a contract according to the Auditor of State unresolved findings for recovery certified search.

CONTRACT COMPLIANCE:
Vendor Name: Pen-Link
(DAX Vendor Acct. #: 0020924); CC-020924 Expiration Date: 5/30/2025

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