TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager to amend Contract No. 29257 with GTSI Corporation, aka Government Technology Services, Inc. (GTSI), to allow for the purchase of modems and connectivity software for the Police Department mobile data computer system for an additional amount of $400,000; increase appropriations in the General Fund and the Police Department by $650,000; and decrease appropriations in the General Fund and the Citywide Activities Department by $650,000. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
Field police officers use computers for various tasks. These include report writing, research of computerized records, and retrieval of investigative database information and photographs.
Currently, all of these functions must be performed at a Police Department facility because the mobile data computers in police vehicles lack adequate connectivity to the City network.
On August 2, 2005, City Council approved a contract with GTSI, to upgrade the Police Department's mobile computer system according to the terms and conditions afforded Fairfax County, Virginia, on behalf of U.S. Communities Government Purchasing Alliance. The U.S.
Communities Government Purchasing Alliance has established a national structure for local government agencies to make use of their collective purchasing power to competitively solicit government contracts meeting government agencies' piggyback requirements.
The Police Department spent $2.9 million to upgrade their mobile data computer system in 2006 to Panasonic Toughbook computers with the ultimate goal of moving more of the officers work tasks into the field. The Toughbook provides a modern, full function computer, capable of much more than the previous mobile data system. Currently, the system is connected to the City network by use of an outdated vehicle radio modem that is not optimal for the large volume information transfer described.
As an enhancement to the existing system, the Police Department has conducted testing of vehicl...
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