DPS - National Law Enforcement Telecommunication System - Funding Increase

The State of Utah, through the Department of Public Safety’s Bureau of Criminal Identification, is seeking to increase funding for the National Law Enforcement Telecommunication System (NLETS) network under a sole-source contract action identified by solicitation number AK26-28 and contract number 216007. This action is justified under the Utah Procurement Code as a non-competitive award due to the exclusive nature of the NLETS system, which is the only provider capable of delivering the critical interstate criminal justice information exchange services required by law enforcement agencies across the state. The system enables secure, real-time access to federal and state criminal history data, driver’s license and vehicle records, sex offender registries, warrants, concealed weapon permits, AMBER Alerts, Interpol files, Canadian law enforcement data, and over 100 additional resources. The contract covers essential services including core message routing, transformation and programming, secure network connectivity with wireless backup, computing and storage, authentication, messaging infrastructure, NLETS Justice Portal management, vulnerability detection, information security response, and training—all operating under strict performance standards requiring sub-second response times and near-100% availability. The original contract period runs from July 1, 2020, through June 30, 2030, and the funding increase is driven by annual expense adjustments approved by the Principal Membership, with a significant monthly fee increase to $10,610 effective January 1, 2027, escalating through the term. Payment terms require state payment within 30 days of a correct invoice, with interest applicable under the Utah Prompt Payment Act if unpaid beyond 60 days. The contractor must maintain comprehensive records for six years post-final payment, comply with all state and federal regulations including CFR Appendix II to Part 200 for federally funded components, and adhere to Utah’s Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA) for document transparency. The contractor is subject to strict compliance standards, including certification that it is not debarred, registered with the Utah Department of Commerce, participating in E-Verify, and not engaged in any economic boycott including of Israel; must carry a $1 million commercial automobile liability policy and workers’ compensation coverage; and must enforce confidentiality and non-discrimination obligations across all subcontractors. Any proposal must be submitted with both redacted and non-redacted versions, and contesting vendors must prove the existence of an equivalent or superior alternative source with documented cost comparisons. The contract prohibits assignment