Report Prepared by: Jacob Struble, Lieutenant, Police Department
Title
SUBJECT: Approval of Agreement with Axon Enterprises Inc. for the Purchase and Installation of Fourteen (14) In-Car Audio/Video Recording Cameras in Seven (7) Police Department Vehicles (Two Cameras Per Vehicle) and a 5 Year Licensing and Data Storage Plan for a Total Amount of $67,049.85; Approval to Waive the Competitive Bidding Requirement to Allow for the Purchase of Standardized Equipment
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers the approval of an agreement with Axon Enterprises Inc. for the purchase of fourteen (14) in-car audio/video recording cameras with installation of the cameras (two cameras per vehicle) for the Police Department for a total amount of $67,049.85 to be funded out of the 2018-2019 budget in full. Also considers waiving the competitive bidding requirement pursuant to Merced Municipal Code section 3.04.210 for purchases necessary for standardization of particular types of equipment.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion waving the competitive bidding requirements as stated in Section 3.04.210 of the Merced Municipal Code and approving a 5-year agreement with Axon Enterprises Inc. for the purchase of fourteen (14) in-car audio/video recording cameras with installation and a 5-year licensing and data storage plan in the amount of $67,049.85.
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 2018-19 Adopted Budget
DISCUSSION
The City of Merced has purchased seven (7) new Dodge Charger police vehicles. Six (6) of these vehicles are currently at Emergency Vehicle Outfitters (EVO) in Sacramento, California getting outfitted with the necessary emergency equipment. The seventh vehicle is currently on order and we are awaiting delivery.
Currently the Police Department has Panasonic In-Car audio/video recorders in their police vehicles. The Panasonic devices are out dated and breaking down. Panasonic no longer supports the current system the police department is using so getting the broken cameras repaired is not an option.
By using Axon Enterprises Inc. In-Car audio/video recorders, the system will integrate with the current Axon body cameras used by the police department. The audio/video recordings captured by the In-Car audio/video recorders would upload to evidence.com which is the same location as the body camera video is uploaded and stored.
The Axon Enterprises Inc. In-Car audio/video recorders will work in conjunction with the department’s body cameras and tasers. Using the Axon Enterprises Inc. In-Car audio/video recorders, all the police department’s video will now be stored in the same location. The current Panasonic video is stored on a local server.
Since the Merced Police Department and the City already uses Axon Enterprises, the department is requesting the competitive bid process be waived to allow for the purchase of standardized equipment.
The cost to have each unit installed is $1,200 dollars. Axon Enterprises Inc. offers a train the trainer program where they would train City personnel to install the equipment for a fee of $6,000 dollars. In speaking with the Corporation Yards, they requested that Axon Enterprises Inc. install the equipment at this time rather than use the train the trainer option.
The quote includes fourteen (14) cameras for seven (7) vehicles. There will be two (2) cameras installed in each police vehicle. The Panasonic system we currently use also has two (2) cameras per vehicle.
The quote is broken down over five years. I spoke with Chris Morton, Axon Enterprises Inc. sales representative regarding paying for the full five (5) years in one lump sum. Mr. Morton advised he can invoice the City of Merced the full amount of $67,049.85 when the agreement is signed. The police department intends to pay the full amount of $67,049.85 using the 2018-2019 budget funds.
The quote and Master Services and Purchasing Agreement from Axon Enterprises Inc. has been reviewed as to form by Merced City Attorney Norton.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
Funding is available in the 2018-2019 budget, account 061-1026-523-43-00.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Axon Enterprises Inc. quote for In-Car audio/video cameras with installation
2. Axon Enterprises Inc. Master Services and Purchasing Agreement