To: Delrico J. Loyd, Governmental Operations Committee Chairperson
From: Nathaniel C. Perry, III, Chief Public Defender
title
RE: Approval of an agreement between Genesee County and NICE Defense for the purchase of a Digital Evidence Management System, in an amount not to exceed $220,418 for three (3) years; the cost of this agreement will be paid from account 2921-283.00-978.007
recommendation
BOARD ACTION REQUESTED:
Approve an agreement between Genesee County and NICE Defense, for the purchase of a Digital Evidence Management System in an amount not to exceed $220,418 for three (3) years; the cost of this agreement will be paid from account 2921-283.00-978.007.
BACKGROUND:
The amount of digital discovery has rapidly grown in recent years. Currently, public defense attorneys, both staff and roster, struggle with outdated, inefficient methods, slow download speeds, limited storage and media capabilities, playback issues, and the need to use multiple external hard drives. These challenges hinder efficiency and consume significant time and resources that could be better spent on casework.
The Prosecutor’s Office obtained NICE Justice, a comprehensive digital evidence management system (DEMS) designed to manage the growing volume and complexity of digital discovery. NICE Defense is the version designed for public defense and provides secure sharing, storage, and organization of digital evidence in one place. Procuring NICE Defense would allow the Public Defender’s Office to utilize the same system and technology already in place at the Prosecutor’s Office.
DISCUSSION:
By procuring NICE Defense, the Public Defender’s Office can create a more efficient and seamless discovery process. Currently, public defenders receive multiple emails containing discovery links that must be downloaded, organized, and stored separately. NICE Defense would allow attorneys to access, manage, and share discovery directly within the same platform used by the Prosecutor’s Office, reducing duplication, improving access to digital evidence, and maximizing the County’s existing investment in NICE.
Pricing is based on established maximum annual caseload and retention periods. The three-year contract, to be paid annually, is $72,000, $72,106, and $76,312, respectively. Like the Prosecutor’s Office, we worked with the Purchasing Department to obtain NICE Defense through the Houston-Galveston Area Council (HGAC) purchasing cooperative, allowing the purchase without an RFP. HGAC provides the lowest price and fastest implementation for NICE.
IMPACT ON HUMAN RESOURCES:
None.
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
Funding for NICE Defense is included in the MIDC grant award. All MIDC Grant funding is included in the approved budget, the first annual payment and subsequent payments to be paid from account 2921-283.00-978.007. No additional County appropriation is required.
IMPACT ON FACILITIES:
None.
IMPACT ON TECHNOLOGY:
IT approval was obtained before moving forward with Purchasing and contract negotiations. IT representatives have been involved since the preliminary discussions with NICE and are aware of the technical requirements and resources needed for implementation. NICE is a web-based Software as a Service (SaaS) solution, with data securely stored in the cloud, which minimizes the need for ongoing IT involvement, maintenance, or local infrastructure following implementation.
CONFORMITY TO COUNTY PRIORITIES:
The Office of the Public Defender is responsible for providing constitutionally guaranteed, quality legal representation to all adults charged with crimes in Genesee County who cannot afford an attorney, embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion in our daily operations. NICE Defense will further advance equity and fairness for all individuals represented by our Office by improving our ability to obtain, manage, and securely store discovery.
NICE Defense will assist the Office of the Public Defender in providing indigent defense services more efficiently while reducing the time and resources required to download, manage, and store discovery. Improving our ability to carry out our constitutional mandate and compliance with MIDC standards helps to ensure long-term financial stability and continued grant funding.
resolution
TO THE HONORABLE CHAIRPERSON AND MEMBERS OF THE GENESEE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:
BE IT RESOLVED, by this Board of County Commissioners of Genesee County, Michigan, that the request by the Chief Public Defender to authorize entering into a three-year contract between Genesee County and NICE Systems, Inc., whereby the contractor will provide a Digital Evidence Management System (DEMS), at a total cost not to exceed $220,418.00 over the three-year period ($72,000 for the first year; $72,106 for the second year; and $76,312 for the third year) to be paid out of account 2921-283.00-978.007, is approved (a copy of the memorandum request and support documentation being on file with the official records of the September 16, 2026 meeting of the Governmental Operations Committee of this Board), and the Chairperson of this Board is authorized to execute the contract on behalf of Genesee County.