To: Board of Supervisors
From: David O. Livingston, Sheriff-Coroner
Report Title: Cellebrite Inc.
Recommendation: Recommendation of the County Administrator
RECOMMENDATIONS:
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Purchasing Agent, or designee, to execute on behalf of the Sheriff-Coroner, a purchase order with Cellebrite Inc., in an amount not to exceed $63,436, subject to the terms of Cellebrite’s End User License Agreement, to provide the Office of the Sheriff Investigations Division with cell phone forensic software, for the period October 7, 2026, through October 6, 2027.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Approval of this request will result in up to $63,436 in contractual service expenditures and will be funded 100% by the General Fund.
BACKGROUND:
Cellebrite Inc. is the industry standard for lawfully accessing and collecting digital data. Their track record is unparalleled and nearly every law enforcement agency uses their software. The cell phone forensic software from Cellebrite Inc. provides detectives at the Office of the Sheriff Investigations Division with tools to access and extract encrypted or inaccessible data from locked Apple and Android smartphones or mobile devices. This type of software allows the Office of the Sheriff to conduct thorough investigations, gather evidence efficiently and empowers the detectives with the tools they need in this digital age.
The End User License Agreement includes a limitation of liability.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
If the Board does not approve, the Office of the Sheriff Investigations Division would not be able to access or extract encrypted or inaccessible data from mobile devices, which could result in potential loss of evidence and operational inefficiencies.