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June 16, 2026
ITEM TITLE
Agreement: Approve a Consultant Services Agreement with SenseMakers LLC to Develop and Conduct a Full- Scale Domestic Terrorism Response Exercise
Report Number: 26-0200
Location: No specific geographic location
Department: Police
G.C. § 84308 Regulations Apply: No
Environmental Notice : The activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) State Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3) no environmental review is required.
Recommended Action
Adopt a resolution approving and authorizing the City Manager to execute a consultant agreement with SenseMakers LLC in an amount not to exceed $148,127 to design, develop, conduct and evaluate a Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP)-compliant full-scale exercise.
SUMMARY
The Police Department is requesting approval to enter into a consultant agreement to deliver a regional, multi-agency full -scale exercise (FSE) focused on domestic terrorism response. The exercise will be conducted in accordance with federal Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) standards and will test regional preparedness, interagency coordination, and operational capabilities.
This effort will be funded through the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) grant program and will support the City’s ongoing commitment to regional collaboration, emergency preparedness, and public safety readiness.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The proposed activity has been reviewed for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and it has been determined that the activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the P a g e | 2
State CEQA Guidelines because it will not result in a physical change in the environment. Therefore, pursuant to Section 15060(c)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines, the activity is not subject to CEQA.
BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
Not applicable.
DISCUSSION
Background
The City of Chula Vista is an active participant in the San Diego Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI), a federal grant program administered by the Department of Homeland Security to enhance regional preparedness for acts of terrorism and other catastrophic incidents.
Full-scale exercises (FSEs) are the most complex and resource-intensive type of exercise and are designed to simulate real-world emergency conditions. These exercises are essential to evaluating operational readiness, identifying capability gaps, and strengthening interagency coordination.
Project Description
The proposed consultant will design, develop, conduct, and evaluate a one -day, HSEEP-compliant full-scale exercise simulating a domestic terrorism incident requiring coordinated response among multiple jurisdictions and disciplines.
Participating agencies are anticipated to include:
Local and regional law enforcement agencies
Fire and emergency medical services
Emergency management and public health agencies
State and federal partners
Other regional stakeholders
The exercise will test key capabilities, including:
Incident Command System (ICS) and Unified Command
Multi-agency coordination and communication
Intelligence sharing and situational awareness
Resource management and mutual aid
Public information and warning
Consultant Selection
The Police Department conducted a competitive procurement process in accordance with City purchasing policies and applicable federal grant requirements under 2 CFR Part 200 (Uniform Guidance). On March 27, 2026, the City issued Request for Proposal (RFP) P44-2026 to seek competitive proposals from experienced and qualified individuals or firms to provide consultant services to design, develop and execute a full -scale, one-day regional domestic terrorism response exercise at the Gaylord Pacific Resort in Chula Vista. Nine vendors responded to the RFP. The evaluation committee recommends SenseMakers LLC for award.
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As a result of the RFP process, SenseMakers LLC was selected based on:
Demonstrated experience delivering HSEEP-compliant exercises Technical expertise in domestic terrorism and multi-agency coordination Proven ability to manage large-scale, complex exercise environments Cost competitiveness and responsiveness to the City’s scope of work
SenseMakers LLC, a certified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business, provides homeland security, public safety, and emergency management professional, technical, and consulting services that work to ensure the quality, value, and security of our nation’s communities, industry, infrastructure, and environment. Since 2013, they have partnered with their clients to develop customized solutions that build and sustain the capabilities necessary to respond to all manner of human -caused and natural disasters and emergencies.
Scope of Work
The consultant will provide a deliverables-based scope of services, including:
Exercise design and project management
Facilitation of planning meetings
Development of HSEEP -compliant documentation (e.g., Exercise Plan, Master Scenario Events List, Controller/Evaluator Handbook)
Coordination of logistics and temporary exercise-related resources Execution of the full-scale exercise
Facilitation of a post-exercise discussion (after-action debrief) Preparation of a comprehensive After-Action Report/Improvement Plan (AAR/IP) All work will be conducted in compliance with UASI grant requirements and HSEEP standards.
UASI Grant Compliance
This project is fully aligned with allowable uses of UASI funding, including exercise design, development, and evaluation.
Key compliance considerations include:
Deliverables-based contract structure to ensure contractor services are not classified as staff augmentation
Adherence to personnel cost limitations under UASI guidelines Use of funds solely for exercise-related, temporary, and necessary costs Compliance with federal procurement and grant management requirements Prohibition against supplanting existing City resources
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DECISION-MAKER CONFLICT
Staff has reviewed the decision contemplated by this action and has determined that it is not site-specific and consequently, the real property holdings of the City Council members do not create a disqualifying real property-related financial conflict of interest under the Political Reform Act (Cal. Gov't Code § 87100, et seq.).
Staff is not independently aware and has not been informed by any City Council member of any other fact that may constitute a basis for a decision maker conflict of interest in this matter.
CURRENT-YEAR FISCAL IMPACT
The total cost of the consultant agreement will not exceed $148,127 and will be fund ed through the fiscal year 2024 UASI grant allocation. This cost is already included in the budget of the Police Grants section of the Federal Grants Fund for fiscal year 2025-26. Any overtime associated with this exercise will be covered by other UASI grant funds. There is no current-year impact to the General Fund.
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
There is no ongoing fiscal impact to the general fund associated with this one-time exercise. Any overtime incurred as a result of this exercise will be funded through other authorized UASI grant allocations.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Agreement - SenseMakers LLC
Staff Contacts: Dan Peak, Acting Chief of Police
Joel Monreal, Police Lieutenant