Fremont City Council Meeting: 10/06/26 07:00 PM
3300 Capitol Avenue Div/Dept: Police Department
Fremont, CA 94538 Category: Agreements and Contracts
SCHEDULED
Sponsors:
COUNCIL STAFF REPORT (ID # 5816) DOC ID: 5816
Updated: 10/1/2026 10:26 AM by Alberto Quintanilla Page 1 Cellular Phone Analysis & Data Extraction Services - Authorize the City Manager, or her Designee, to enter a Service Agreement with Pivot Collective Solutions for a three-year term.
Contact Persons:
Name: Calvin Tang Eric Tang
Title: Police Lieutenant Police Captain
Div/Dept: Police Department Police Department
Phone: 510-790-6875 (510) 790-6900
E-Mail: [email protected] [email protected]
Executive Summary: The Fremont Police Department (FPD) is seeking to enter into a three-year service agreement with Pivot Collective Solutions to provide consultation in the ever-evolving area of cellular technologies to include identifying, capturing, and analyzing data related to individuals’ responsible for committing crimes. Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager, or a designee, to enter into an agreement with Pivot Collective Solutions for a three-year term in the total amount of $450,000, payable in three annual installments of $150,000.
Background: Law enforcement examines a multitude of leads related to criminal investigations. Special circumstances and consideration are given when a cellular phone is used as an instrument of crime or when a cellular phone contains records of criminal activity. These records can be in many forms including, but not limited to phonebook entries, call history, text messages, calendar entries, images and videos. While officers are trained in a variety of investigative techniques, cellular phone extractions are unique and highly specialized due to their technical nuances. It requires knowledge of cellular phones and cellular networks. Further, it requires skill in applying hardware and software tools focused on data extraction.
Cell phone analysis is specialized because of the complexity and continual innovation of smartphones, security systems within the phone and proprietary data storage formats. Complex data structures are further strengthened by encryption and evidence which can potentially be overwritten, wiped or altered. Expertise within this area is important as a forensic examiner must be able to identify, locate or even reconstruct data.
Further, they must be able to explain what the data means to investigators and testify to their analytical work for prosecutorial purposes.
Council Staff Report (ID # 5816) Meeting of October 6, 2026 Updated: 10/1/2026 10:26 AM by Alberto Quintanilla Page 2 Discussion/Analysis: Fremont Police Department staff issued a Request for Proposals (RFP #26-206) inviting proposals for cell phone call detail record analysis and data extraction services from experienced, vetted investigators. After evaluating the proposals submitted, Pivot Collective Solutions was selected due to their extensive background, relevant experience, and competitive pricing.
Pivot Collective Solutions was founded in 2024 by a retired law enforcement officer with a background as a lead consultant, providing cellular technology, cellular record analysis, mapping, data extraction, reporting, and forensic support to Alameda County law enforcement agencies. Pivot Collective Solutions is based in the Bay Area and accessible in the event of critical incidents requiring immediate cellular technology analysis.
Pivot Collective Solutions employs current industry standard analytical software to analyze and visualize cellular records maintained for phone carriers. Along with physical data extractions, Pivot Collective Solutions produces comprehensive forensic extraction reports detailing methodology, tools used, and findings. Pivot Collective Solutions also maintains a focus on social media examination and cloud data analysis. This, in combination with cellular records, is invaluable for establishing investigative chronologies. In furtherance of criminal prosecution, Pivot Collective Solutions has extensive experience in prosecutorial case support and expert witness testimony.
Along with assisting prosecutors understand technical evidence, Pivot Collective Solutions supports investigations as a qualified expert witness in the event of criminal proceedings to include a jury trial.
Fiscal Impact: The proposal is to enter into a three-year term in the amount of $450,000 payable in annual payments. Annual payments of $150,000 will be funded by the Police Department’s General Fund.
Environmental Review: The contract for services is exempt from and not subject to review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because, without limitation, it is not a “project” as defined in CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(2) and/or 15378(b)(5) and as it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity may have a significant effect on the environment per CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3), each as a separate and independent basis for CEQA compliance.
Council Staff Report (ID # 5816) Meeting of October 6, 2026 Updated: 10/1/2026 10:26 AM by Alberto Quintanilla Page 3 Recommendation: Authorize the City Manager, or a designee, to enter into a service agreement with Pivot Collective Solutions, for a three-year term in an amount not to exceed $450,000.