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APPROVE MOTION TO EXECUTE A FIVE (5) YEAR AGREEMENT WITH CELLEBRITE INC FOR DIGITAL FORENSIC TECHNOLOGY IN A TOTAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $245,431
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APPROVE MOTION TO EXECUTE A FIVE (5) YEAR AGREEMENT WITH CELLEBRITE INC FOR DIGITAL FORENSIC TECHNOLOGY IN A TOTAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $245,431
recommended action
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council approve a motion to:
1. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute a five (5) year contract between the City of Stockton (City) and Cellebrite Inc. (Cellebrite) for the Stockton Police Department (SPD) forensic technology in an amount not to exceed $245,431; and
2. Approve findings pursuant to Stockton Municipal Code section 3.68.070 in support of an exception to the competitive bidding process.
It is further recommended that the City Manager, or designee, be authorized and directed to make any and all expenditures and appropriations on behalf of the City as appropriate and necessary to carry out the purpose and intent of this motion.
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Summary
The Stockton Police Department (SPD) is seeking Council approval for an agreement with Cellebrite to provide digital forensic technology for the SPD. Cellebrite is the only company that can currently unlock both Apple and Android operating platforms. Other vendors specialize in one or the other, but not both. Cellebrite continually upgrades its software to keep up with the pace of the release of new operating systems. Without the equipment or software license to access the service, SPD cannot retrieve data that can be critically important in holding criminals accountable for their actions.
Cellebrite is the only vendor with the necessary tools and services SPD needs.
DISCUSSION
Background
SPD is consistently investigating crime within the City. Digital forensic technology has given SPD the ability to solve crimes in a more efficient and timely manner. It can access locked and encrypted devices, collect a volume of data, provide faster insights, and streamline the extraction to report process, allowing SPD to save valuable time within an investigation. Cell phone evidence has proven to be a critical component and key contributor in court proceedings time and time again. SPD had a Sole Source with Cellebrite for five years. Due to the higher volume of calls and cases, along with newer technology, SPD entered an informal contract with Cellebrite through the sole source justification (SSJ) process approved by the City Manager. No other company can perform digital forensics on technology that the SPD requires, resulting in Cellebrite being the only vendor to accommodate the needs of the SPD.
Upon Council approval, staff recommends moving forward with the Cellebrite Quote Agreement to continue the services needed for operation of business (Attachment A).
Present Situation
SPD has a steady influx of investigations requiring the extraction of data from personal cell phones. SPD has partnered with Cellebrite over the last six years.
In 2019, SPD surveyed the needed services, identifying Cellebrite as the only provider. The current SSJ was approved on November 10, 2020, for an estimated amount of $33,300 through November 16, 2025. A new SSJ, followed by the Cellebrite Quote Agreement not to exceed $245,431, will prevent any interruption in these essential services. Furthermore, by contracting with an outside vendor for this service, SPD can retrieve data that can be critically important in holding alleged criminals accountable.
Findings
Stockton Municipal Code section 3.68.070(A)(4) provides an exception to the competitive bidding process for sole source vendors in cases where the City Council has approved findings that support and justify the exception. The findings are as follows:
1. Cellebrite is the only vendor that can currently unlock both Apple and Android operating platforms.
2. Cellebrite can streamline the extraction all the way to a UFED Report, which is a standard in Forensics.
3. Contracting with Cellebrite will allow SPD to continue to process devices at a higher speed, allowing for more cases in less time, keeping the community safer with each case solved.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
The total proposed cost for the five (5) year agreement with Cellebrite shall not exceed $245,431. Funding for the Cellebrite agreement is available in the FY 2025-26 Police Department's Investigations Division.
Attachment A - Cellebrite Quote Agreement