Morrow County commissioners authorize sole‑source notice for new sheriff’s camera system

Morrow County commissioners voted to authorize staff to post a public notice of a sole‑source procurement for a five‑year vehicle and body‑worn camera and communications system from Utility Associates Inc., opening a seven‑day protest period before the county can execute the roughly $280,000 contract.

County Finance Director Kevin said the sheriff’s current contract for vehicle and body cameras expires at the end of the fiscal year and that the sheriff’s office identified a vendor whose platform is “a one‑stop shop” with proprietary functions not available elsewhere. Kevin told the board the county initially planned to use a cooperative purchasing contract (Sourcewell or NASPO) but that direct negotiation with the vendor produced more favorable terms.

Brian, a representative from the sheriff’s office, told commissioners the Utility Associates platform would deliver more equipment at a lower total cost. “It’s a large contract … it’s a 5 year contract … but it’s still significantly less than what we are currently paying, and for less we’re getting twice as much equipment,” Brian said. He said the vendor will perform initial installs, train county staff and the county’s vehicle outfitter, provide in‑car cameras as well as officer body cameras, and ship spare units when repairs are needed.

Commissioners pressed staff on procurement process and data storage. One commissioner asked, “Where does that data get stored?” Kevin replied that the system uses cloud storage. County counsel and procurement staff explained the county may make a sole‑source determination under procurement rules when goods or services are only available from a single vendor; if posted, the county will allow a seven‑day protest period before finalizing the agreement.

The board approved a motion to make the sole‑source determination, authorized staff to post the notice and begin the protest period. County staff said if a protest is filed the board will review it before executing any contract.

If no protest is filed the county will proceed to finalize the contract under the terms presented to the board.