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 upgrading and expanding this investigative tool. 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 call 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 purchase the upgraded and expanded Pen-Link Systems 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.
The system will cost $424,791.50. Funding is contingent on the passage or Ordinance 1188-2023.
FISCAL IMPACT: The expenditure of $424,791.50 o...
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