TITLE
Recommendation to adopt resolution authorizing City Manager to execute a contract and any amendments thereto with PIPS Technology, Inc., a Federal Signal Corporation company of Knoxville, TN (not an MBE, WBE, or SBE), for the purchase of up to 30 additional Mobile Automated License Plate Recognition (ALPR) systems and up to 12 fixed ALPR systems on the same terms and conditions afforded to the County of San Diego Sheriff's Department under Contract No. 527866 in the total amount not to exceed $900,000. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
The Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) currently maintains a fleet of 12 mobile ALPR equipped vehicles. During the past five years that the ALPR systems have been deployed with LBPD and the Department of Public Works (PW), they have been effective in quickly identifying wanted vehicles and have proven to be an invaluable investigative resource to both officers and detectives. PW has been utilizing the system over the last two years for parking citation assistance in locating vehicles with Scofflaw violations, a registered vehicle owner with five or more violations.
The ALPR technology has been directly responsible for the recovery of over 1,814 stolen vehicles, 303 stolen vehicle arrests, and 190 other arrests. This technology has also assisted detectives in solving over 100 murder, kidnapping, robbery, shooting, and gang cases, in addition to providing leads in other types of investigations.
In June 2008, the Los Angeles/Long Beach Region Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) Working Group and Approval Authority discussed and identified ALPR as a vetted Homeland Security asset. Their recommendation was submitted and approved by the State of California Emergency Management Agency and the United States Department of Homeland Security, and funds were allocated for this specific purchase. With this addition to the City's ALPR system, the City will enhance its technological resources in combating crime and protecting Homeland Security assets. Using the information generated from this technology will continue to reduce PD's operating costs and improve service and effectiveness.
The Department of Public Works, Environmental Services Bureau, Parking Division will be receiving four new ALPR systems for the parking enforcement vehicles, in addition to the two the Division is currently operating. Utilizing the ALPR systems, the Parking Division will be able to more efficiently search for parking ticket Scofflaws. Utilizing the existing ALPR systems, more than 6,020 vehicles wanted for Scofflaw parking violations have been located.
This purchase will be fully funded using the Urban Area Security Initiate (UASI) OS grant monies, which was approved by City Council on October 13, 2009. The project will have no ongoing costs and will include equipment, installation, and three years of maintenance. The equipment is compatible with the City's existing ALPR fleet and will utilize established connectivity and server assets reducing costs in those areas.
City Charter Section 1S01 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 the City Council.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Amy Burton on January 21, 2011 and Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on January 2S, 2011.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action on this matter is requested on February 15, 2011, to ensure the City can acquire the equipment and begin the installation in a timely manner.
FISCAL IMPACT
Sufficient UASI grant funding is currently appropriated in the General Grants Fund (SR 120) in the Police Department (PD). There is no impact to the General Fund. There is no local job impact associated with this action.
BODY
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LONG BEACH AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO PURCHASE THIRTY MOBILE AUTOMATED LICENSE PLATE RECOGNITION (ALPR) SYSTEMS AND 12 FIXED ALPR SYSTEMS THROUGH THE CONTRACT BEnNEEN THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT AND PIPS TECHNOLOGY INC. FOR AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $900,000
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
WILLIAM YEOMANS
INTERIM DIRECTOR OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
JIM McDONNELL
CHIEF OF POLICE
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER