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Agenda Report
May 6, 2024
TO:hlonorable Mayor and City Council
THROUGH: Public Safety Committee (April 17,2024)
FROM: Police Department
SUBJECT: AUTHORIZE CONTRACT WITH CNC TECHNOLOGIES, LLC FOR
PURCHASE OF AND INSTALLATION OF THREE TRAKKABEAM
TL360 SEARCHLIGHT AND GIMBALS FOR A TOTAL OF $383,685
AND AMEND THE FISCAL YEAR 2024 OPERATING BUDGET BY
APPROPRIATING $98,685 FROM THE UNAPPROPRIATED FUND
BALANCE IN THE FOOTHILL AIR SUPPORT TEAM FUND
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Find that the project proposed herein is exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15061 (b)(3), the "Common Sense" exemption that CEQA applies only to projects that may have an effect on the environment;
2. Amend the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Operating Budget by appropriating $98,685 from the unappropriated fund balance in the Foothill Air Support Team Fund; and
3. Accept the bid dated February 29, 2024, submitted by CNC Technologies, LLC, in response to specifications for three helicopter searchlight systems and installation; and authorize the City Manager to enter into a total contract amount not to exceed $383,685 which includes sales tax.
BACKGROUND:
The Pasadena Police Air Operations Section is a multi-disciplined aviation operation with the primary role of providing support to first responders. Additional functions include narcotic interdiction, search and rescue, fire operations, gang enforcement, and other inter-departmental operations. The unit operates five patrol helicopters, seven days a week, providing a much-needed safety barrier for our ground officers and other first responders. The feats of our helicopter crew rely heavily on the crew's abilities and the equipment they operate. An integral part to these successes is the searchlights MEETING OF 5/6/2024AGENDA ITEM NO.14
TrakkaBeam TL360 Searchlights
May 6, 2024
utilized by the crews during periods of darkness. Aside from providing these services to the City of Pasadena, the Air Operations Unit provides aerial responses to the 10 other Foothill Air Support Team (F.A.S.T.) cities, and our two sister cities, Glendale, and Burbank. This accounts for a coverage area of approximately 175 square miles between the 13 partner agencies. In addition, flight crews are frequently tasked with assisting other county, state, and federal agencies in support of homeland security missions, infrastructure inspections, and critical incident planning.
Our current fleet of helicopters are equipped with different versions of searchlights, ranging in age from 15 to 23 years. These existing searchlights utilize the incandescent style bulbs. These older style lights require a larger electrical load on the helicopter's electrical system, taxing other helicopter components. These filament style bulbs degrade overtime, reducing the illumination output, and are required to be illuminated for a 20-minute period once they are activated to prevent filament damage.
The searchlights sought in this contract use the LED style lights. These TrakkaBeam lights are instant-on and instant-off, allowing for the searchlight to be turned off once no longer needed, reducing light pollution. Additionally, these TrakkaBeam lights are smaller, lighter, and utilize one third the power consumption. These upgraded lights also provide the ability to illuminate an area with infrared (IR) light, allowing the crews to use their Night Vision Goggles to take advantage of the searchlight IR illumination without having to actually project any visible light on the area. These searchlights are plug-and-play compatible with our existing technology. Replacing our obsolete lights with three of these upgraded lights will help to standardize our equipment, improving on our crew's skill set with their equipment.
Following City purchasing guidelines, a Notice Inviting Bids for a purchase and installation of helicopter searchlight systems were advertised in local media outlets and posted on Open GOV procurement. The posting generated notices to multiple vendors who have previously registered with the City for this commodity class. The bid was downloaded by five vendors, resulting in two bids being submitted as shown below. Bid amount does not include sales tax on the equipment. There are no vendors located in Pasadena that provide this equipment for airborne law enforcement.
BIDDER (without Sales Tax)
CNC Technologies, LLC (Oak Park, CA)
Rotorcraft Support, Inc. (Filmore, CA)
AMOUNT
$359,734
$374,925
CNC Technologies, LLC (CNC) bid was responsive to the specification and determined to be the lowest, responsive submission. CNC is a reputable vendor in the helicopter industry with experience serving law enforcement, government, and military markets.
CNC's bid includes the purchase of the searchlight, gimbal assembly, customized cabling, removal of old system and installation of the new system, warranty, and training on the new equipment. Staff recommends the Council award CNC Technologies, LLC to purchase and install the helicopter searchlights. The installation will be conducted at an FAA approved repair station in Fillmore, CA.
TrakkaBeam TL360 Searchlights
May 6, 2024
Page3 of 4
COUNCIL POLICY CONSIDERATION:
By providing the Police Air Operations Section with upgraded equipment and technology to perform its function, the proposed purchase furthers the City Council's strategic planning goal of ensuring public safety.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS:
The proposed contract has been determined to be exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section15061 (b)(3), the "Common Sense" exemption that CEQA applies only to projects which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA. Such is the case with the proposed contract authorization with a camera contract. No physical changes to the environment will result from the proposed contract authorization.
TrakkaBeam TL360 Searchlights
May 6, 2024
FISCAL IMPACT:
The cost of this action is $383,685. Funding for this action will be addressed by utilizing existing budgeted appropriations of $285,000 in the General Fund (10133019-850400).
The remaining $98,685 will be addressed by amending the Police Department's FY 2024 Operating Budget by appropriating said dollars from the unappropriated fund balance in the Foothill Air Support Team Fund (10833019-850400). It is anticipated that all funds will be spent during the current fiscal year with no indirect or support cost requirements.
Respectfylly submitte)
EUGENE HARR/S
Chief of Police '
Pasadena Police Department
Prepared by:
Fd/2-
Dustin Gomez
Sergeant, Air Operations Unit
Approved by:
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City Manager