May 26, 2026
Police Department
DATE: May 26, 2026
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Timothy Simmons, Chief of Police
Subject:
Contract with SoundThinking, Inc. for ShotSpotter Flex
System Infrastructure
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The proposed first-year expenditure of $224,808 is included within the proposed fiscal year 2026–2027
Police Department budget and will be budgeted
accordingly in subsequent fiscal years for the duration of the five-year contract (Account String:01191021-400209).
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
None.
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
The Police Department uses the ShotSpotter Flex
gunshot detection system to improve community safety
through its ability to detect and pinpoint the location of public firearm discharging incidents, allowing for the
rapid deployment of emergency responders. The
Department is requesting approval of a new five-year
sole source contract with SoundThinking, Inc. (formerly ShotSpotter, Inc.) to continue maintenance and service
of the ShotSpotter Flex system following expiration of
the current agreement and in accordance with City
purchasing policy requirements.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
APPROVE a sole source contract with SoundThinking,
Inc. (formerly ShotSpotter, Inc.) for the maintenance,
service, and support of the Police Department’s
ShotSpotter Flex gunshot detection system, in an
amount of $1,242,196 for the five-year period July 1,
2026, through June 30, 2031 – Police Department
(Chief Timothy Simmons 620-1802).
AGENDA
REPORT
May 26, 2026
DISCUSSION:
The Police Department has been using SoundThinking, Inc. (formerly ShotSpotter, Inc.) gunshot detection system since 2008 and currently the system covers about 5.75 square miles (3.0 miles in the Central Richmond area, and 2.75 miles in the Hilltop area). The current agreement with SoundThinking, Inc. was approved by City Council on November 2, 2021, and expires on June 30, 2026 (Attachment 1).
ShotSpotter Flex relies on multiple acoustic sensors that detect the distinctive sound of gunfire noise and activate an alert when gunfire activity occurs, which enables emergency responders to be sent to the precise location of firearms discharging incidents. ShotSpotter Flex instantly notifies officers of shootings that just occurred, or are in progress, with real-time data delivered to the dispatch center and to the mobile computers installed in the patrol fleet. Instant alerts make it possible for police officers to provide life-saving aid to victims, locate and collect evidence, and quickly arrest armed, dangerous offenders. ShotSpotter’s actionable intelligence is also used to prevent future crimes by positioning officers in areas where illegal gunfire is documented to have occurred with regularity.
Year Gunshot Events Detected
2023 686
2024 497
2025 390
The ShotSpotter system continues to serve as a critical public safety tool by providing the Police Department with real-time awareness of gunfire incidents that may otherwise go unreported. Nationally and locally, a significant portion of gunfire events are not reported through 911 creating gaps in response and investigative follow-up.
By delivering accurate location data within seconds, the system enables officers to respond quickly to potential victims, render lifesaving aid, and secure evidence that would otherwise be lost. The downward trend in detected gunfire incidents, from 686 in 2023 to 390 in 2025, reflects broader violence reduction efforts, while Shot Spotter ensures that when incidents do occur, they are not missed.
Sole source procurement is justified for the proposed agreement with SoundThinking, Inc. (formerly ShotSpotter, Inc.) because the company is the sole owner and provider of the proprietary ShotSpotter Flex gunshot detection system currently deployed throughout the City of Richmond. The Police Department has utilized this technology since 2008, and no other vendor is authorized or capable of maintaining or supporting the existing system and infrastructure installed throughout the City. The ShotSpotter system remains a critical public safety tool by providing real-time gunfire detection and alert notifications that support rapid emergency response, evidence collection, and violence reduction efforts. Entering into a new agreement with SoundThinking, Inc. will ensure continuity of service and avoid the significant costs and operational disruptions associated with replacing the existing system (Attachment 2).
May 26, 2026
City staff recommend entering into a new contract with SoundThinking, Inc. for an additional five-year term. Because the system is proprietary, no other vendor can maintain and support this system (Attachments 3, 4 and 5).
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Original Contract
Attachment 2 – Sole Source Justification
Attachment 3 – Standard Contract
Attachment 4 – IT Authorization
Attachment 5 – Renewal Quote