Title
Sheriff’s Office recommending the Board:
1) Authorize the Chair to sign Agreement 9882 in the amount of $278,000 with CA Leo Technologies, LLC. from February 1, 2026 to January 31, 2029, for use of Verus software systems and services for recording, analyzing and transcribing inmate phone calls for potential criminal activity; and
2) Authorize the Purchasing Agent to approve amendments and increase the Agreement on an "as-needed" basis during the term if funding is available within the requesting department's budget.
FUNDING: General Fund (50%) and Inmate Welfare Fund (50%).
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
On May 2, 2022, the Purchasing Agent executed Agreement 6355 with CA Leo Technologies, LLC, for a one-year term in the amount of $75,800 to provide Verus software and transcription services. The Verus Software as a Service (SaaS) system enables the Sheriff’s Office to search through authorized inmate communications-both incoming and outgoing-for specific terms, behavioral patterns, and indicators of criminal activity. This technology has proven to be an essential investigative and safety tool, allowing staff to identify and mitigate risks related to gang activity, narcotics trafficking (including opioid-related offenses), and potential threats to inmates and staff.
Following the success of the initial one-year term, the Sheriff’s Office entered into a three-year agreement with CA Leo Technologies, LLC, which was approved by the Board and is set to expire on January 31, 2026. This prior agreement provided uninterrupted access to the Verus system and associated services, which have continued to demonstrate significant benefits in maintaining jail safety and supporting investigative efforts.
Through the transcription and analytics services offered by Leo Technologies, staff have been able to detect and intervene in communications posing potential harm, thereby preventing incidents before escalation. The Verus system’s machine-learning capabilities continually adapt to recognize new slang, coded language, and emerging trends in inmate communication, enhancing the Sheriff’s Office’s ability to proactively respond to evolving threats. The system has directly contributed to the protection of both inmates and staff by alerting personnel to potential threats and enabling timely intervention.
Additionally, Leo Technologies provides real-time alerts to the Sheriff’s Office regarding actual or suspected criminal activity, safety risks, or other concerning communications, which has proven instrumental in maintaining facility safety and operational integrity.
The initial purchase of the Verus SaaS system was made under urgent operational circumstances. Subsequent research into comparable technologies identified only one alternative product, which proved unreliable and error-prone during testing.
Based on the proven success of the Verus system and the lack of equivalent alternatives, the Sheriff’s Office is requesting Board approval to enter into a new three-year agreement, Agreement 9882, with CA Leo Technologies, LLC. The proposed term is February 1, 2026, through January 31, 2029, in the total amount of $278,000.
County Procurement Policy Section 3.5 describes exemptions to the competitive bidding process. Agreement 9882 falls under Exemption “Software (proprietary)” Findings of Fact “Proprietary software is software that is licensed, copyrighted, or patented
that only one vendor provides.” The Verus SaaS system is only sold by CA Leo Technologies, LLC.
This agreement will be funded through a combination of the General Fund and the Inmate Welfare Fund since it increases both inmate and staff safety. The continuation of this service is necessary to ensure there is no lapse in system coverage and to maintain proactive inmate monitoring, institutional safety, and enhanced investigative capabilities across the jail system.
ALTERNATIVES
N/A
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
01/24/2023 Legistar file 23-0035
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Counsel reviewed and approved Agreement 9882.
CAO RECOMMENDATION
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Funding is included in the Sheriff’s Office FY 2025-26 budget.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Please return signed Agreement 9882 to Sheriff’s Office for distribution.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
N/A
CONTACT
Undersheriff Bryan Golmitz