TITLE
Recommendation to adopt resolution authorizing City Manager to execute all necessary documents with Forensic Technology WAI, Inc., of Montreal, Canada (not an MBE, WBE, SBE or Local), for the purchase of one IBIS (Integrated Ballistics Identification System) BulletTrax-3D Acquisition Station, in a total amount not to exceed $565,000, inclusive of tax. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
In March 2013, the Long Beach Police Department (PD) utilized Homeland Security grant funding to purchase and implement the IBIS BrassTrax system (IBIS). The existing IBIS system allows the PD Forensic Science Division to enter recovered cartridges and cartridge casings collected at crime scenes into the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) firearms database managed by the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). This nationwide database helps forensic firearms examiners to connect bullet casings to guns used to commit crimes.
The proposed BulletTrax module builds upon the initial IBIS system to allow examiners to match recovered bullets to guns used to commit crimes both locally and nationwide. The ability to enter bullets into the NIBIN database will produce investigative leads that could potentially lead to the quicker apprehension of armed and dangerous suspects. The BulletTrax system is the only approved system by the ATF for entry into the NIBIN database. This equipment purchase cannot be competitively bid because the BulletTrax module builds upon the existing system that the City already owns, and the ATF will not authorize any other vendor to connect to the highly secured NIBIN database.
City Charter Section 1801 requires that contracts for City purchases be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder after a competitive bid process, but allows for awards without a competitive bid process if accompanied by a resolution documenting the reason for a sole-source award adopted by City Council.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Gary Anderson on January 3, 2014 and by Budget Officer Victoria Bell on December 31, 2013.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action on this matter is requested on February 18, 2014, to expedite the implementation and use of this new forensic technology.
FISCAL IMPACT
Asset seizure funding, which is restricted to support Police Department operations, is available for this equipment purchase in an amount not to exceed $565,000. After the purchase and installation is complete, appropriation of the asset seizure funding will be requested in the General Fund (GP) in the Police Department (PD) as part of the quarterly budget adjustment process. There is no local job impact associated with this action.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LONG BEACH AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH FORENSIC TECHNOLOGY WAI, INC., WITHOUT ADVERTISING FOR BIDS, FOR THE PURCHASE OF INTEGRATED BALLISTICS IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM TECHNOLOGY AND RELATED SERVICES IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $565,000
Respectfully Submitted,
JIM McDONNELL
CHIEF OF POLICE
JOHN GROSS
DIRECTOR, FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT
CURTIS TANI
DIRECTOR, TECHNOLOGY SERVICES DEPARTMENT
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER