March 3, 2026
Police Department
DATE: March 3, 2026
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Timothy Simmons, Chief of Police
Subject:
Purchase Carahsoft Technology Corp GrayKey Device
for Forensic Evidence Extraction
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The proposed $41,431.66 expenditure is partially included within the approved fiscal year 2025-2026
Police Department budget and will be budgeted
accordingly in subsequent fiscal years (Account String:
01194021-400209).
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
November 17, 2020
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
Successful investigations of Human Trafficking cases
and complex violent crimes necessitate the ability to
obtain forensic evidence extraction. The Police
Department requests City Council approval for a
purchase of a Carahsoft Technology Corp’s GrayKey
device and a three-year contract with Carahsoft
Technology Corp for the Police Department’s Criminal
Investigations Bureau.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
APPROVE a sole-source contract with Carahsoft
Technology Corp for the GrayKey device for forensic
evidence commencing on January 1, 2026, and ending
December 31, 2028, in an amount not to exceed
$41,431.66 – Police Department (Chief Timothy
Simmons 510-621-1802).
AGENDA
REPORT
March 3, 2026
DISCUSSION:
The City of Richmond has long struggled with Human Trafficking and complex violent crimes. The Richmond Police Department remains steadfast in its commitment to seeking justice for crime victims and holding offenders accountable. Through dedicated investigations, community partnerships, and the use of advanced technology, the department strives to protect the vulnerable and improve safety and trust across the City.
Modern investigations increasingly depend on advanced technology and specialized tools to access and analyze digital evidence, especially cell phone data, which often contains critical information. The ability to efficiently extract and interpret this data is essential for solving crimes, supporting prosecutions, and delivering justice. Once legal authority is granted, either through a warrant or consent, investigators attempt to extract key data from these devices. However, retrieving this information can be difficult, time- consuming, and even impossible without the proper tools. A cell phone analysis tool is often critical, and at times the only method, to obtain the evidence necessary to support successful investigations and prosecutions.
Magnet Forensics is the manufacturer of the GrayKey device. There are only two known authorized resellers of this device in California, StateStore and Carahsoft. Previous efforts to obtain the liability, I.T., and cyber insurance required by the City of Richmond from Magnet and StateStore were unsuccessful. Carahsoft is in good standing with the City of Richmond, has current insurance on file with the City and is currently being used by the City Clerk's Office. Both Magnet Forensics and StateStore are unable to meet the insurance requirements of the City of Richmond. The only known company which is in good standing with the City is Carahsoft.
Currently, the police department relies heavily on external agencies for this analysis, which leads to frequent delays and opportunity costs of lost work hours for detectives to transport phones. To address this, the department is requesting that the City Council renew the three-year licensing contract for Carahsoft Technology Corp’s GrayKey device, which will significantly improve investigative efficiency and effectiveness.
Police Department Staff recommend that the City Council renew this GrayKey extraction device contract for a total amount of $41,431.66.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – End User License Agreement
Attachment 2 – IT Authorization Form
Attachment 3 – Sole Source Authorization Form