Discuss, consider and take appropriate action on approving the purchase of Leads Online Power Plus Investigation System annual software renewal in the amount of $8,082.00 and exempting Leads Online, LLC. from competitive bidding requirements per Texas Local Government Code Section 262.024(a)(7)(A) discretionary exemption for items for which competition is precluded because of the existence of copyrights, secret processes or monopolies.

Approval of this item will support the operations of the Williamson County Sheriff's Office.  Leads Online software is an efficient and secure method of collecting and analyzing pawn, secondhand, scrap metal recycler, OfferUp, and eBay transaction data for use in criminal investigations.  Software renewal covers a term from 10/1/2021-9/30/2022.  Per the sole source letter from Leads Online their system is exclusive proprietary property and is protected under the United States Copyright Act (17 U.S.C.).  The Sheriff's Office has been using this system for some time.  The Purchasing Agent, per legal's advice, suggests that prior to FY23 the user department along with IT work to review and quote alternate vendors or complete the County's Sole Source process.  The contract will need to be updated to conform with the county's current essential terms for FY23.  This expenditure will be charged to 01.0100.2008.004210.  Department contact is Paul Jordan.