Report Prepared by: Antonio Aponte, Lieutenant, Police Department
Title
SUBJECT: Approval to Waive the Competitive Bidding Requirement to Allow for the Purchase of Standardized Equipment and Approval of Software Licensing Agreement with Forensic Technology Inc. for the Lease and Installation of NIBIN Cartridge Cases Acquisition, Analysis & Triage Subscription Service and a Three (3) Year Leasing Agreement not to Exceed the Total Amount of $144,685
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers approving to waive the competitive bidding requirement pursuant to Merced Municipal Code section 3.04.210 for purchase and the approval of the three (3) year leasing agreement with Forensic Technology Inc. for the lease and installation of NIBIN Cartridge Cases Acquisition, Analysis & Triage Subscription Service and in the amount not to exceed of $144,685. Annual cost of lease and subscription will be $55,822 for year one (1), $43,775 for year two (2) and $45,088 for year three (3). Funds allocated from the asset forfeiture fund will be utilized for the total cost of the 3-year lease and subscription.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion:
A. Approving to waive the competitive bidding requirements as stated in Section 3.04.210 of the Merced Municipal Code for standardization of equipment; and,
B. Approving a 3-year agreement with Forensic Technology Inc. for the lease and installation of NIBIN Cartridge Cases Acquisition, Analysis & Triage Subscription Service in the amount not to exceed $144,685; and,
C. Authorizing the City Manager to execute the necessary documents; and,
D. Authorizing the Finance Officer to make the necessary budget adjustments.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve as recommended by staff; or
2. Refer back to staff with direction; or
3. Continue to a subsequent meeting; or
4. Take no action
AUTHORITY
Article II and III of Title 3, Chapter 3.04, of the Merced Municipal Code relating to purchases of equipment and services (Section 3.04.080 and 3.04.120) and waiving of the competitive bidding requirements (Section 3.04.210).
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
As provided for in the 2023-24 Adopted Budget.
DISCUSSION
The Merced Police Department is looking to lease the NIBIN equipment and software. Forensic Technology IBIS ACCESS is a subscription service for automated ballistic identification and analyzation. Many law enforcement departments utilize this technology and Merced PD would have the ability to share and compare ballistic evidence across local, regional and national networks. IBIS is the backbone of the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) providing a valuable database of ballistic intelligence that can help link firearm crimes nationwide.
This technology allows Merced PD to scan, upload and analyze the cartridge casings located at the scene of a shooting as well as firearms that have been previously seized or collected by the Merced PD over the last several years. Results from the analysis is received the same day versus 6 months if the casings were sent to a crime lab. Currently there are over 2,700 firearms logged into Merced PD evidence and over 2,500 cases where firearm cartridge casings were located at the scene of a crime that need to be analyzed. This type of technology will allow investigators to establish new leads on unsolved firearm related crimes as well as future investigations. It also gives the PD the ability to retain the cartridge casing analysis as evidence so the firearms can be eventually sent for destruction. Most of the 2000 plus firearms in evidence cannot be sent for destruction until authorized by the District Attorney’s Office, as they may have been used in an unsolved firearm related crime.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
No appropriation of funds is needed; funding is available from the Asset Forfeiture Fund that was appropriated during the mid-year budget review of FY2023-24 budget. Future year funding will be allocated the asset forfeiture fund through the budget process.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Software License Agreement for the IBIS Family of Products