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Sole Source Standardization Approval - Knox Box eKey System
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INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jon Williams, Union County Fire Marshal’s Office, Fire Marshal, 704-296-4296
ACTION REQUESTED:
1) Approve the standardization of the Knox eKey System, manufactured and distributed exclusively by The Knox Company, as the County’s rapid entry access solution pursuant to N.C.G.S. §143-129(e) and Section 3.8 of the Union County Procurement Policy and 2) adopt Budget Amendment 9 and Capital Project Ordinance 350A.
PRIOR BOARD ACTIONS:
September 2, 2025, Regular Meeting, Agenda # 25-529: Authorized County Manager to approve contract.
BACKGROUND:
The Union County Fire Marshal’s Office currently utilizes KnoxBox 3200 units as the standardized rapid entry system across the County for emergency access. As part of a department-wide modernization effort, the Fire Marshal’s Office is transitioning from mechanical key cylinders to the electronic Knox eKey system, which provides secure access, audit trail capabilities, and integration with KnoxConnect® management software. The Knox eKey cylinders are required for this upgrade and are only available from The Knox Company, which is the sole source manufacturer and distributor of these proprietary components.
Using a different manufacturer’s product would require replacement of the entire existing KnoxBox infrastructure, which would significantly increase costs and disrupt operational consistency. Therefore, we are requesting the Board to approve Sole Source Standardization for the Knox eKey System, manufactured and distributed exclusively by The Knox Company. This request is in accordance with the Union County Procurement Policy, Section 3.8, Item (ii), a needed product is available from only one source of supply.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
None.