DATE: December 15, 2025
TO: Mayor and Members of the City Council
VIA: Stefan Chatwin, City Manager
FROM: Cory Call, Police Chief
DEPARTMENT: Police
SUBJECT: SOLE SOURCE PURCHASE OF REPLACEMENT MOBILE
RADIOS FOR POLICE DEPARTMENT VEHICLES AND
MOTORCYCLES FROM METRO MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS
FOR $73,463.58
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended the City Council adopt a resolution authorizing the sole source purchase of replacement mobile radios for police department vehicles and motorcycles from Metro Mobile Communications for $73,463.58.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The existing mobile radios for the Foster City Police Department vehicles and motorcycles were purchased in 2012. The warranty period for the radios was between three to five years and has expired. Given the age of the radios, original parts are scarce, and quality of the radios has diminished. Replacement of the existing radios will be done with modern mobile radios that provide clearer audio, stronger signal coverage, and more reliable connectivity. The replacement radios also feature encryption capabilities, enabling secure communication with a wider range of neighboring agencies while allowing the City to stay compliant as encryption requirements and laws continue to evolve. The mobile radios will be compatible with the new dispatch center equipment and portable radios.
The replacement Kenwood (NX5800BK) radios will be issued to each police vehicle and motorcycle that requires a mobile radio. They will be purchased from Metro Mobile Communications for a total cost of $73,463.58, which includes radios for the police department vehicles (20) and motorcycles (3), software, licenses, installation, and an extended five-year warranty. Kenwood is the current brand of our mobile and portable radios and will also be the replacement brand.
BACKGROUND/ANALYSIS
Police Officers and staff currently utilize mobile radios to communicate vital information to each other while in the field. The Police Department's existing mobile radios were purchased in 2012 and had an estimated useful life of 13 years. The warranty period for the devices was between three to five years and has expired. Obtaining replacement parts such as brackets, buttons, and microphones is becoming increasingly challenging because parts are scarce, are unreliable and costly.
Mobile radios are a critical communication tool used by police officers to stay connected with dispatch, fellow officers, and other emergency personnel in the field. They enable real-time coordination during routine patrols, emergency responses, critical incidents, and mutual aid situations. These radios are essential for maintaining officer safety, ensuring quick access to information, and providing timely updates during dynamic situations.
Over time, mobile radios are subjected to daily wear and environmental exposure, which can degrade performance and reliability. As technology advances, older models may also become incompatible with updated communication infrastructure or lack features necessary for modern policing, such as secure encryption, GPS tracking, or improved audio clarity. Regular replacement and upgrades ensure police department vehicles and motorcycles are equipped with dependable, critical communication tools that support both operational effectiveness and public safety.
Replacing the outdated radios with the newer models would enhance officer safety, improve interagency communication, and reduce long-term maintenance costs. The new Kenwood radios have the performance and reliability built in. The existing radios are at the end of their service life and lack support for newer communication standards and the durability required for public safety.
The new mobile radios are designed to meet the evolving standards set by the California Department of Justice, which initially mandated full encryption for the transmission of sensitive personally identifiable information (PII). The directive was later revised to allow departments to adopt policies and procedures that limit the transmission of sensitive information in the absence of full encryption. Many agencies now utilize encrypted channels for high-risk incidents and sensitive operations. With these replacement radios, officers will have the ability to access and communicate on those encrypted channels with neighboring agencies.
The vendor, Metro Mobile Communications, offered National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO) pricing, which provided pre-negotiated, low-cost pricing, eliminating the need to issue an RFP. This information was shared with the City Manager. This purchase includes 23 mobile radios, installation, cabling, software licenses, microphones, encryption capabilities, and a five-year extended warranty. The estimated useful life of a mobile radio is 13 years.
If approved by the City Council, the Police Department will promptly deploy this essential equipment to enhance officer safety, ensure reliable communication, and support effective coordination in the field.
California Environmental Quality Act
Purchase of the replacement mobile radios are not subject to review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21000, et seq. and the CEQA Guidelines (14 Cal. Code Regs.§§ 15000 et. seq.), including without limitation, Public Resources Code section 21065 and California Code of Regulations 15378 as this is not a "project" that may cause a direct, or reasonably foreseeable indirect, physical change in the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
The fiscal impact of the proposed resolution is $73,463.58, which includes the addition of an extra radio for the Police Trainer Motorcycle which was not initially included in the Equipment Replacement Fund (ERF) approved budget of $70,000 (Account No. 502- 0110-413-4385). The additional $3,463.58 expense will be paid from the ERF contingency.
CITY COUNCIL VISION, MISSION, AND VALUE/PRIORITY AREA
Public Safety and Social Equity
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1 - Resolution
Attachment 2 - Metro Mobile Communications Quote