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TO: Mayor John Laesch
FROM: Lt. Tom McNamara
Administrative Services Lieutenant, Aurora Police Department
DATE: June 16, 2025
SUBJECT:
Construction of Digital Forensic Room at APD.
PURPOSE:
To renovate existing space in the APD Investigations Unit to support a Digital Forensic Program workspace at a cost not to exceed $312,503.02.
BACKGROUND:
Digital forensics is crucial for law enforcement due to the increasing reliance on devices and online activity to plan and commit crimes. The Aurora Police Department has seen explosive growth in the number of cases involving some nexus to digital technology. Digital forensics provides law enforcement with the tools and techniques necessary to collect, analyze, and preserve evidence during the investigation and prosecution of crimes. The complicated process of extracting and presenting digital data in a way prosecutors, judges, and juries can understand requires specialized equipment and training.
APD currently employs one full-time civilian digital forensics investigator and is currently in the hiring process for a second full-time civilian digital forensics investigator. APD plans to request a full-time civilian digital forensics analyst position in the upcoming 2026 budget process. Currently, the specialized equipment required for these tasks is housed in a cramped, makeshift forensics lab, located in a crudely converted storage closet within the secured Investigations Unit.
A viable solution for needed space and growth was identified in a seldom-used conference room located in the Investigations Unit. The room offers approximately three times the space as the currently used storage closet. The area offers restricted access and will provide an acceptable workspace for the tasks performed by the digital forensics investigator and analyst.
The City retained Kluber Architects + Engineers to create plans for the room renovation. This engineering fee was borne by the City's Central Services Department. After review and approval of the specifications and design plans, the City published solicitation 25-151 on April 18, 2025 and received bids from the following companies:
Carmichael Construction, Inc. (Marengo, IL)
Kandu Construction, Inc. (Skokie, IL)
KWCC Inc. (Montgomery, IL)
Lindblad Construction (Joliet, IL)
Lite Construction, Inc. (Montgomery, IL)
DISCUSSION:
The bidding process closed on May 7, 2025 at 11:00 am, at which time OpenGov unsealed all submissions. Carmichael Construction, Inc. submitted the lowest responsible bid of $185,990.00. Kluber Architects + Engineers conducted a contractor bid scope review and determined the low bid submission of Carmichael Construction, Inc. to be responsive and complete.
Interiors for Business, Inc. was selected to provide additional furnishings for this workspace utilizing a cooperative purchasing agreement under OMNIA contract #R191814 and GSA contract #GS-28F-00335. Total cost of said furnishings is $98,103.65
A ten percent (10%) project contingency of $28,409.37 is requested for this project.
The bid tabulation, specifications, proposal, plan drawings, and pictures are attached.
This bid was subject to the Local Preference Ordinance; however, no Aurora contractor submitted a bid for consideration.
Carmichael Construction, Inc. is not indebted to the City
This project is an approved 2025 Decision Package funded in account #256-3536-421.38-05 (Department of Justice asset forfeiture funding) and is an allowable expense under the US Department of Justice Equitable Sharing Program. A budget amendment will be entered to add additional funding as needed for this project utilizing asset forfeiture funds.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
Approval of this resolution will allow the Police Department to renovate existing space in the APD Investigations Unit to accommodate and provide a workflow in an orderly and more efficient manner.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Recommend City Council adopts a resolution authorizing the acceptance of this project in an amount of $312,503.02
cc: Infrastructure and Technology Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
title
A Resolution authorizing the renovation of existing space in APD Investigations Unit to support a Digital Forensic Program workspace at a cost of $312,503.02.
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WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, The Aurora Police Department conducts digital forensics processing for criminal investigations and prosecution purposes: and
WHEREAS, the secure Investigations conference room located on the second floor of Aurora Police Department was identified as the ideal area for a Digital Forensics workspace.
WHEREAS, the City then retained Carmichael Construction, Inc., and Interiors For Business, Inc. to create a scope of work for the Digital Forensics workspace, pursuant to public solicitation 25-151, and OMNIA and GSA cooperative purchasing agreements; and
WHEREAS, this project is funded in account #256-3536-421.38-05 (Department of Justice asset forfeiture funding), and is an allowable expense under the US Department of Justice Equitable Sharing Program.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: The renovation of existing space in APD Investigations Unit to support a Digital Forensic Program workspace at a cost of $312,503.02 is authorized, utilizing Carmichael Construction, Inc., and Interiors For Business, Inc.