Intent to award sole source- cellebrite

The South Carolina Department of Corrections intends to sole source a UFED 4PC Ultimate System from Cellebrite, Inc., covering mobile device data extraction and analysis technologies. The procurement encompasses all associated licenses, training, analytics, upgrades, equipment, and supplies for a comprehensive digital forensic solution. The system can extract data from various mobile devices, including phonebooks, pictures, videos, SMS messages, call histories, and deleted SIM card data, with capabilities to bypass device locks and perform logical and physical file system extractions. The system supports over 95% of global handset technologies, including TDMA, CDMA, GSM, IDEN, and smartphone operating systems like Apple iPhone, BlackBerry, Google Android, Microsoft Mobile, Palm, and Symbian. The solicitation's response deadline is July 6, 2021, at 10:00 a.m., with sealed offers to be submitted to the SC Department of Corrections Purchasing Branch at 4420 Broad River Road, Columbia, SC 29210, or emailed to purchasing@doc.sc.gov with "INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE" in the subject line.

Vendor eligibility requires company registration with the State of South Carolina and identification of entity type, with potential in-state preferences available under South Carolina Code 11-35-1524. Cellebrite demonstrates significant competitive advantages, including rapid processing speed, an intuitive user interface requiring minimal training, and established nationwide carrier agreements. The vendor has deployed over 90,000 units worldwide and serves multiple government sectors, including the Department of Defense, Federal Government, Intelligence Organizations, Military, and Law Enforcement Divisions. Aggrieved parties may protest the intended award within five business days of posting or submit a formal protest within fifteen days to the Chief Procurement Officer. The procurement notice will be posted in the South Carolina Business Opportunities (SCBO) for at least ten business days, with the award becoming effective if no responses are received by the deadline. While specific award values are not disclosed, the comprehensive nature of the digital forensic system suggests a significant technological investment for the Department of Corrections.