ACTION REQUESTED:
Title
Communication from the City Manager and Police Chief with a Request to APPROVE a SOLE SOURCE PURCHASE of Replacement Transmitter/Microphones for Squad Car Video Systems from L-3 MOBILE-VISION, INC, in the Amount of $50,630.00 from Previously Approved Funds.
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BACKGROUND: Since 2003 the police department has used the L-3 Mobile Vision camera system’s Voice Link 2 wireless microphone for the in-squad car cameras. These microphones are issued to officers and allow for voice recording to accompany video that is captured via the in car camera system. The transmitter/microphone system consists of a body worn transmitter and a squad car mounted receiver base. As of 2013, production of this model of transmitter was discontinued. April 2016 marked the official end-of-life of the product and replacements can no longer be obtained. Since the transmitters are worn by the officers they are vulnerable to damage and malfunction; this coupled with the age of the equipment has resulted in an increase need for repairs, some of which cannot be repaired due to the end-of-life of the product.
For compatibility and consistency of interoperability within the fleet the system design requires all current model transmitter/microphones be replaced at the same time. Once the fleet’s transmitters/microphones are updated additional system components may be procured on a case-by-case basis as needs arise. This purchase is for 80 VLX kits (in car base and wireless transmitter mic) and an additional 90 transmitters.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: Funding for this purchase would come from Account #401-2101-550-54.07, CB 1609.
NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS: None
IMPACT IF APPROVED: The police department will be able to continue to capture audio for in-car recordings.
IMPACT IF DENIED: As current equipment becomes inoperable the department will lose the capability to record audio relative to the in-car video systems.
ALTERNATIVES: None
EEO CERTIFICATION NUMBER: L3 Mobile-Vision, Inc., #02714-130630
WHICH OF THE GOALS IDENTIFIED IN THE COUNCIL’S 2014 - 2029 STRATEGIC PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION ADVANCE?
1. Financially Sound City Government, Effective City Organization
WHICH CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR(S) FROM THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION IMPLEMENT?
1. Reduce crime.
2. Have an efficient government.
DEPARTMENT: Police