TITLE
Recommendation to adopt Specifications No. RFP PD18-090 and award contracts to Axon Enterprise, Inc., of Scottsdale, AZ, and VIEVU, LLC, of Seattle, WA, to furnish and deliver body worn camera equipment, at no cost to the City, for a period of one year, with the option to renew for three additional six-month periods, at the discretion of the City Manager. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
City Council approval is requested to enter into contracts with Axon Enterprise, Inc. and VIEVU, LLC, for body worn camera equipment, related accessories, supporting software, digital video storage, an implementation plan and, technology infrastructure assessment and solutions, as well as training and technology support, at no cost to the City during a pilot program for the Long Beach Police Department (LBPD). The contract term will be for a period of one year with the option to renew for three additional six-month periods, with the ability to terminate for any reason with 30 days notice.
In 2016, the City Council approved a contract for body worn camera equipment, software support and cloud storage for LBPD to implement a pilot program. LBPD assigned body worn cameras to patrol officers for use and testing in the field. The operational pilot program concluded in November 2017. After a comprehensive review, LBPD has determined that while it believes strongly in the overall value of body worn cameras, the current technology does not suitably meet the LBPD needs. LBPD, in partnership with the Financial Management and Technology and Innovation Departments, issued a new Request for Proposals (RFP) for body worn camera equipment to support a new pilot program.
The RFP was released on April 3, 2018, and 5,224 potential firms specializing in body worn camera equipment were notified of the RFP opportunity. Of those, 40 downloaded the RFP via the City’s electronic bid system. The RFP document was made available from the Purchasing Division, located on the seventh floor of City Hall, and the Division’s website at www.longbeach.gov/purchasing. An RFP announcement was also included in the Purchasing Division’s weekly update of Open Bid Opportunities, which is sent to 22 local, minority, and women-owned business groups. Five proposals were received on April 20, 2018. Of those five proposers, none were Minority-owned Business Enterprises (MBEs), one was a Women-owned Business Enterprise (WBE), one was a certified Small Business Enterprise (SBE), and none were Long Beach businesses (Local).
The selection committee determined Axon Enterprise, Inc., of Scottsdale, AZ (not a MBE, WBE, SBE, or Local), and VIEVU, LLC, of Seattle, WA (not a MBE, WBE, SBE or Local), best satisfied all requirements in accordance with the evaluation criteria in the RFP. Both companies presented field equipment and technology solutions that best matched LBPD operations. Additionally, the selected companies have proven histories of successfully implementing multiple body worn camera programs among large departments of similar or greater size than LBPD.
Local Business Outreach
In an effort to align with the City’s outreach goal, Long Beach businesses are encouraged to submit proposals for City contracts. The Purchasing Division also assists businesses with registering on the PlanetBids database to download the RFP specifications. Through outreach, 578 Long Beach vendors were notified to submit proposals, of which three downloaded and none submitted a proposal. The Purchasing Division is committed to continuing to perform outreach to local vendors to expand the bidder pool.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Monica J. Kilaita and by Budget Management Officer Rhutu Amin Gharib on April 26, 2018.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action to adopt Specifications No. RFP PD18-090 and award contracts concurrently is requested on May 15, 2018, to ensure the contracts are in place expeditiously.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no cost for these contracts to the City during the term of the pilot program. However, there are costs associated with internal staffing and support needs to successfully implement and execute the pilot program. To continue testing efforts, three positions (3.0 FTEs) are required, at an estimated personnel cost of $353,186. These costs will be absorbed by existing vacancy savings in the General Fund (GF) in the Police Department (PD) during the pilot program. However, this staffing solution is not sustainable in the long-term should body worn camera technology be permanently implemented. Staffing and funding needs will increase should body worn camera technology be adopted department-wide, with an estimated enhancement for eight positions (8.0 FTEs). There is no local job impact associated with this recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
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Respectfully Submitted,
ROBERT G. LUNA
CHIEF OF POLICE
JOHN GROSS
DIRECTOR OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER