Title
Sole Source Purchase -- Sheriff's Office ChemImage Mail Screener
Action
ACTION:
(A) Approve the purchase of the ChemImage Mail Screener without competitive bidding, as authorized by the sole source exemption of G.S. 143-129(e)(6); and
(B) Approve a contract with ChemImage for the purchase of the VeroVision Mail Screener from additional federal revenue approved by the Board June 2, 2020 (File ID 20-6147).
(C) Rescind action taken on June 2, 2020 (Agenda Item 20-6147) which approved a carry-forward and appropriation to FY 2021 of $125,000 to purchase a Mail Screener; and instead,
(D) Amend the 2020-2021 Annual Budget Ordinance for the General Fund (0001) to allow the carry-forward of unspent funds from 2019-2020 Annual Budget Ordinance for the Sheriff’s Office which remain available at June 30, 2020 up to $125,000 to purchase a mail screener.
Staff Contact: Rachel Vanhoy, Sr. Fiscal Administrator
Presentation: No
BACKGROUND/JUSTIFICATION:
*G.S. 143-129(e)(6) provides that formal bidding requirements do not apply when:
1. Performance or price competition for a product is not available;
2. A needed product is available from only one source or supply; or
3. Standardization or compatibility is the overriding consideration.
*Sole sourcing is necessary because there is only one supply source.
*The Governing Board must approve purchases made under the sole source exception.
The Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office has experienced several issues with contraband getting into our detention facilities through the mail. There are certain substances that cannot be detected through normal searching methods or visual inspections of the mail. There is a need to deploy technology that will assist with the detection of unauthorized items such as cocaine, suboxone, heroin and deadly fentanyl. The use of mail screening technology allows for us to detect items that may potentially be hidden in the mail from coming into our facility. MCSO employees are also under significant risk when handling mail that may contain toxic substances. Having the ability to deploy mail screening technology reduces the risk to our employees because potentially harmful substances can be identified before being opened.
The ChemImage VeroVision Mail Screener is the only product on the market designed to detect illegal concealed chemical compounds and cutting agents contained inside of postal mail. VeroVision Mail Screener is a sole source product, manufactured, sold and distributed exclusively by ChemImage Corporation. Due to the lack of availability of other like products the VeroVision Mail Screener, ChemImage has created a portfolio of intellectual property that includes patents, trademarks and proprietary software.
PROCUREMENT BACKGROUND:
County Procurement approved sole source request on May 28, 2020.
POLICY IMPACT:
N/A
FISCAL IMPACT:
FY21 appropriation of General Fund (0001) balance up to $125,000 of Sheriff’s Office FY20 unspent funds