RFI SS 5400028648 Smart Cop

The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources has issued a Sole Source Procurement Solicitation (RFI SS 5400028648) for SmartCop software maintenance and services, specifically targeting the continued support of its existing Records Management System (RMS) for natural resource law enforcement operations. The procurement covers annual maintenance and upgrades for a comprehensive software solution that includes e-ticketing, e-reporting, diagramming software, and field-based reporting capabilities. Key objectives include maintaining specialized software with unique functionalities such as integration with the U.S. Coast Guard's Boating Accident Report Database (BARD), compliance with the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact, and Computer-Aided Dispatch with GPS/AVL tracking. The solicitation, issued by Procurement Officer Andy Bowman on August 14, 2025, is scheduled for a one-year term from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026. The notice will be posted in the South Carolina Business Opportunities (SCBO) for 5-10 business days, with potential vendors required to submit any protests in writing to the Chief Procurement Officer within five business days of posting for notice of intent to protest, or within fifteen days for actual protests.

The procurement is specifically a sole source opportunity with SmartCop Inc. designated as the exclusive vendor, based on comprehensive market research confirming its unique capabilities and widespread adoption among natural resource agencies in multiple states, including Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, and Colorado. The software is already implemented within the South Carolina Highway Patrol, which enables valuable data-sharing opportunities and eliminates expensive customization requirements. While no specific set-aside designations or restrictions on respondent types are mentioned, the procurement appears limited to the sole source vendor due to its specialized nature. Market research conducted by the agency suggests that the maintenance costs are competitive with alternative products. Although a precise award value is not specified, the procurement covers a one-year software maintenance and service agreement with potential for continued partnership based on the agency's demonstrated reliance on SmartCop's specialized law enforcement technology infrastructure.