approved Argus Security Suite Sole Source Justification Form B-51933.pdf

Sole Source Justification Form

Version 7.01 Page 1 of 5

Bulletin Reference Number 26-426DOC-SOURC-B-51933

Requesting Agency/University Illinois Department of Corrections

Sole Source Justification Form - Part I Section I - General Information

Department/Bureau/Section: Office of Investigations & Intelligence

Need Identified Date: Sep 12, 2025 Supply/Service Need By Date: May 15, 2026

Project Title: Argus Security Suite

Vendor: Inmate Calling Solutions, LLC DBA Name ICSolutions

Provide a description of the supplies or services required:

The contract will deliver the Argus Security Suite, a proprietary investigative platform compatible with the Department’s tablet system. It includes voice print recognition, PIN theft detection, keyword monitoring, and automatic alerting for investigations. Keefe Group will handle licensing, implementation, and support.

Value: Estimated Value of Initial Term, this Change Order or Amendment: 2,580,000

Will this Sole Source amend a Professional or Artistic Services contract? Yes No

*Sole Source may not be used for amendments for Professional or Artistic Services if the amendment would increase the value by more than 5% of the initial award or extend the term by more than 60 days.

Type: New Sole Source

Section II - Proposed Term

One-Time Purchase Term Contract

Estimated Contract Begin Date: May 15, 2026

Estimated Contract End Date: May 14, 2027

Number of Potential Renewals:

Length of Each Renewal in Months:

Total Value of All Renewals: 2,580,000

If a Term Contract, does the term, including renewals, exceed 12 months? Yes No

Section III - Funding Source Select the type of funding to be used (Check all that apply): State Appropriate Funds Federal Funds Other (Explain):

Section IV - Sole Source Justification

This purchase is economically only available from a single source primarily because it is: (If "Other" explain in one sentence)

Items are Copyrighted or Patented and the Items are Only Available from the Holder

Are there secondary justification(s) for this sole source? Yes No

Section V - Purchase History

Has the Agency or University Purchased these supplies or services in the past? Yes No

Section VI - Business Rationale

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Bulletin Reference Number 26-426DOC-SOURC-B-51933

Requesting Agency/University Illinois Department of Corrections

1. Provide a detailed explanation of the need for the supplies or services:

IDOC has implemented a tablet program that provides every individual in custody access to calls, emails, and messages at much lower rates. This increased access is expected to lead to a sharp rise in communication volume, which will significantly boost the workload for investigative staff tasked with reviewing and clearing these messages. The department needs to be able to identify and respond to potential security threats in this growing activity, including gang coordination, contraband smuggling, fraud schemes, and other criminal acts. The Argus Security Suite offers the advanced investigative tools required to meet this challenge by automating the detection of suspicious activity through voice recognition, PIN theft detection, keyword alerts, and behavioral analytics. Implementing this system will enable IDOC to manage the expected increase in communications efficiently, ensure the safety and security of its facilities, and lessen the resource strain on investigative staff. The department is adding 775 minutes of free calling which increased the overall Sole Source cost.

2. Provide a list and describe in detail the specifications required to satisfy the need:

IDOC requires an investigative software platform that seamlessly integrates with the Department’s existing ICSolutions tablet system and can handle high volumes of communication without disrupting service or risking public safety. The system must offer real-time voice print recognition to verify caller identities and detect unauthorized PIN use, helping investigators connect communications accurately. It should feature automated keyword and phrase detection to identify and categorize suspicious content in calls, emails, and messages, and must send automated alerts for review. Furthermore, the platform needs to maintain a secure, searchable archive of communications, equipped with tools to analyze behavior patterns, create watchlists, and generate investigative reports. Centralized dashboards and audit logs are vital for investigators at multiple facilities to coordinate, share intelligence, and manage case data. These requirements are essential for supporting proactive security measures and enabling investigators to handle increased communication flow while ensuring the safety and security of IDOC facilities.

3. Provide detail explaining the justification selected in Section IV to explain why the requested supplies or services are the only ones available that can satisfy the agency or university requirements?

A sole source is necessary because the Argus Security Suite is proprietary and is the only investigative platform designed to fully integrate with the Department’s existing ICSolutions tablet system. No other vendor has access to the necessary technical architecture, data interfaces, or security framework needed to embed investigative tools within this environment. Attempting to obtain similar functionality from another vendor would necessitate custom development, increase data security risks, and cause delays, which would hinder the Department's ability to effectively monitor and analyze the growing volume of communications. Using the Argus Suite ensures compatibility, preserves the integrity of investigative data, and offers a seamless extension of the Department’s current infrastructure. This sole-source approach is the only way to meet IDOC’s operational needs without disrupting service, incurring duplicate costs, or jeopardizing facility security.

4. What are the unique features of the supplies or services that are not available in any other product or by any other vendor? Provide specific quantifiable factors/qualifications:

The Argus Security Suite is the sole investigative platform specifically designed to integrate with the ICSolutions tablet system currently used by IDOC, and no other vendor offers this level of embedded functionality. It provides real-time voice print recognition and verification, enabling investigators to confirm caller identities with over 95% accuracy and detect unauthorized use of personal identification numbers (PINs), a feature not available in any other system. The platform automatically detects keywords and phrases across all calls, emails, and messages, and can scan thousands of communications per day—far more than investigators could review manually. It maintains a secure, centralized database of all communications with advanced analytics to develop behavioral profiles, connect individuals across multiple facilities, and generate trend reports over time. These features are fully integrated within the tablet platform itself, ensuring seamless operation, eliminating the need for data transfers to external systems, and preserving the chain of custody for investigative evidence. No other vendor can offer this combination of real-time identity verification, high-volume automated scanning, behavioral analytics, and direct integration into the Department’s existing infrastructure.

5. Has the Agency or University considered alternative supplies or services to satisfy their need? Yes No

5a. If no, why weren't alternatives evaluated?

Alternative products weren't evaluated because no other vendor offers a compatible investigative platform with the Department’s ICSolutions tablets. The Argus Security Suite is proprietary, designed specifically for this environment without extra interfaces or custom work. Assessing unrelated products isn’t practical, as they couldn't access or process communications from the Department’s tablets.

Developing a similar tool elsewhere would require extensive customization, pose security risks, and delay monitoring during rollout.

Since Argus is the only suitable solution, exploring alternatives wasn’t practical or feasible.

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Bulletin Reference Number 26-426DOC-SOURC-B-51933

Requesting Agency/University Illinois Department of Corrections

6. Are there resellers or distributors?

Yes No N/A

7. What efforts were made to get the best possible price (i.e. did the agency/university negotiate) and how did you determine the price for this purchase is considered fair and reasonable?

To evaluate pricing, the Department compared the cost of implementing the Argus Security Suite with the expense of hiring additional investigators to manually review the increased communications expected from the new tablet program. Staffing estimates showed that the number of extra investigators needed to handle this volume would far exceed the annual cost of the Argus platform. When exploring options, the Department also consulted with other state correctional systems, which confirmed that agencies implementing similar tablet programs needed significantly more investigative staff when digital tools were not used to manage the higher volume.

The Department also considered the operational impact if communications could not be reviewed and cleared quickly, which would delay or limit access to calls, emails, and messages for the population and cause operational strain within facilities. By automating these review functions, Argus allows existing staff to handle the increased volume without hiring more personnel, making its price fair and reasonable compared to the costs of additional staff and the operational risks associated with communication delays.

8. Will this purchase obligate the State to this vendor for future purchases such as maintenance, licensing or continuing need?

Yes No

9. What will be the financial or other impact to the State if this sole source is not approved and a competitive bid is required?

If this sole source is not approved and a competitive bid is required, the Department could face delays of several months with no viable alternative, since no other vendor offers a platform that works with the current ICSolutions tablet system. During this period, investigators would have to manually review a rapidly growing volume of communications, which would need significantly more staff at a higher cost than the Argus Security Suite. The absence of automated tools would raise the risk of missed security threats and might cause communication backlogs that disrupt operations and threaten facility safety.

10. Is there any additional information you would like to add to justify this sole source?

The Argus Security Suite will be essential in protecting IDOC facilities as the Department moves to a modern tablet-based communication system. Implementing this platform along with the rollout of tablets will help the Department handle the expected rise in communications efficiently, safeguard staff and individuals from security threats, and maintain operational stability across all facilities. Delaying implementation or trying to create alternative solutions would introduce unnecessary risks, cause significant costs, and weaken the effectiveness of the Department’s new communication infrastructure. Approving this sole source will enable IDOC to preserve continuity, ensure investigative integrity, and fully realize the benefits of the tablet program.

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Bulletin Reference Number 26-426DOC-SOURC-B-51933

Requesting Agency/University Illinois Department of Corrections

Section VII

Requesting Department Representative

Requesting Department Signature Required

I know and understand the contents of this Sole Source Justification and attest that all statements are true and correct and the fairness and reasonableness of the price was adequately confirmed.

Date Apr 27, 2026

Printed Name Amanda Hardwick E-mail Address amanda.hardwick@illinois.gov

Phone Number 217-558-2200

State Agency Bureau/Division Head or University Purchasing Director Approval and Signature Required

I know and understand the contents of this Sole Source Justification and attest that all statements are true and correct and the fairness and reasonableness of the price was adequately confirmed. (All prior form fields will lock once this e-signature is completed)

E-mail Address doc.procurement@illinois.gov

Phone Number 217-558-2200 Date Apr 27, 2026

Printed Name Jacenta Wilson

Agency Bureau/Division Head or University Purchasing Director and Not a Designee

SPO Approval and Signature Required

I have reviewed and understand the contents of this Sole Source Justification and agree with the State Agency or University determination.

I have reviewed and understand the contents of this Sole Source Justification and do not agree with the State Agency or University determination. As a result, the State Agency or University must explore other sourcing methods to satisfy their need.

State Purchasing Officer Signature Phone Number 217-622-5400 Date 04/27/2026

Printed Name Megan Dalton E-mail Address megan.dalton@illinois.gov

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Bulletin Reference Number 26-426DOC-SOURC-B-51933

Requesting Agency/University Illinois Department of Corrections

Sole Source Justification Form - Part II Section I - General Information

Project Title Argus Security Suite

Vendor

Initial Date of Procurement Bulletin Posting

Was a Sole Source hearing held per 30 ILCS 500/20-25?

Yes - Complete Section II and III below (Section II will only be visible when this option is selected)

No - Section II not required, go to Section III below Section III - CPO Approval and Signature Required

Based on my review, I authorize the Agency/University to proceed in accordance with the published Notice referenced above.

Based upon my review, I authorize the Agency/University to proceed with the following Changes.

Based on my review, the Agency/University is not authorized to proceed with this sole source as presented and my recommendation is that it be cancelled.

Other

CPO Signature CPO Phone

Printed Name Date

CPO E-mail

Version 7.01 Page of Sole Source Justification Form - Part I Section I - General Information Will this Sole Source amend a Professional or Artistic Services contract?

If yes, what was the original contract value?

*Sole Source may not be used for amendments for Professional or Artistic Services if the amendment would increase the value by more than 5% of the initial award or extend the term by more than 60 days.

Section II - Proposed Term If a Term Contract, does the term, including renewals, exceed 12 months?

If yes, provide a detailed justification including any economic benefit received for agreeing to a multi-year term:

Section III - Funding Source Select the type of funding to be used (Check all that apply):

Section IV - Sole Source Justification Are there secondary justification(s) for this sole source?

Section V - Purchase History Has the Agency or University Purchased these supplies or services in the past?

Term Term From Term To Value Description Contract Number Type Section VI - Business Rationale

1. Provide a detailed explanation of the need for the supplies or services:

2. Provide a list and describe in detail the specifications required to satisfy the need:

3. Provide detail explaining the justification selected in Section IV to explain why the requested supplies or services are the only ones available that can satisfy the agency or university requirements?

4. What are the unique features of the supplies or services that are not available in any other product or by any other vendor? Provide specific quantifiable factors/qualifications:

5. Has the Agency or University considered alternative supplies or services to satisfy their need?

5a. If yes, name the alternative vendors whose supplies or services were evaluated:

5b. If yes, what were the alternatives for each vendor and why were they unacceptable? Be specific with regard to features, characteristics, requirements, capabilities and compatibility:

5c. Explain how the market evaluation was conducted?

*This evaluation is to determine available options within a market. If the evaluation is to determine quality or best suited option, this is not the appropriate source selection. Under no circumstances shall the evaluation consist of testing alternative options. These activities must be conducted in a competitive transparent environment (i.e. IFB or RFP).

5a. If no, why weren't alternatives evaluated?

6. Are there resellers or distributors?

7. What efforts were made to get the best possible price (i.e. did the agency/university negotiate) and how did you determine the price for this purchase is considered fair and reasonable?

8. Will this purchase obligate the State to this vendor for future purchases such as maintenance, licensing or continuing need?

8a. If yes, please provide details regarding future obligations and/or needs:

9. What will be the financial or other impact to the State if this sole source is not approved and a competitive bid is required?

10. Is there any additional information you would like to add to justify this sole source?

Section VII Requesting Department Signature Required I know and understand the contents of this Sole Source Justification and attest that all statements are true and correct and the fairness and reasonableness of the price was adequately confirmed.

State Agency Bureau/Division Head or University Purchasing Director Approval and Signature Required I know and understand the contents of this Sole Source Justification and attest that all statements are true and correct and the fairness and reasonableness of the price was adequately confirmed. (All prior form fields will lock once this e-signature is completed) SPO Approval and Signature Required Sole Source Justification Form - Part II Section I - General Information Was a Sole Source hearing held per 30 ILCS 500/20-25?

Section II - Sole Source Hearing Details The State posted to the Illinois Procurement Bulletin a description of the State's need, the justification for the sole source decision, and information regarding the opportunity to submit comments and testify at a public hearing. Notice of the hearing was also posted outside of the hearing room 48 hours prior to the hearing.

The public hearing was conducted for the purpose of receiving testimony regarding the sole source determination. The Hearing Officer recommends the following:

The following relevant documents are attached:

Section III - CPO Approval and Signature Required 9.0.0.2.20101008.1.734229

Since these functions will be used daily for investigative work, continuity is essential. Using and maintaining Argus over many years allows IDOC to develop detailed profiles, monitor long-term behavior patterns, and save investigative data seamlessly. This decreases the workload of manual reviews, speeds up the clearance process, and lowers the overall investigation costs by automating tasks that would otherwise need extensive staff effort. Ongoing use of the platform also supports consistent training and workflow improvements across facilities, which enhances investigative results and minimizes operational risks.