City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: JUNE 27, 2023 FROM: POLICE DEPARTMENT WARDS: ALL SUBJECT: PURCHASE OF 12 L3HARRIS BINOCULAR VISION DEVICES AND ACCESSORIES FROM TACTICAL NIGHT VISION COMPANY, INC., OF REDLANDS, CALIFORNIA IN THE AMOUNT OF $191,675.75 ISSUE:
Approve the purchase of 12 L3Harris binocular vision devices and accessories from Tactical Night Vision Company, Inc., of Redlands, California, in the amount of $191,675.75.
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council approve the purchase of twelve (12) L3Harris binocular vision devices and accessories from Tactical Night Vision Company, Inc., of Redlands, California, in the amount of $191,675.75.
BACKGROUND:
The Riverside Police Department’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team is a highly trained unit that tackles situations beyond the capability of conventional police forces. The SWAT team is called in when an incident presents significant risk to law enforcement officers or the public. These incidents include high risk search warrants, barricaded subjects, hostage rescue, and suicidal subjects.
During these critical incidents, members of the SWAT team are placed in extremely dangerous situations. The danger of these critical incidents only increases as the sun sets. Due to the absence of light, it is necessary for all SWAT team members to be equipped with night vision devices. Night vision devices use image intensifiers tubes to amplify ambient light to produce brighter images of the surroundings. Officers use these devices during nighttime surveillance, search and rescue, and covert operations.
On June 6, 2023, the City Council authorized the Chief Financial Officer, or designee, to record an increase in revenue in the amount of $345,000 and an equal amount appropriated to the Grants and Restricted Programs Fund, Police Asset Forfeiture Programs. The proposed expenditures for these funds included Night Vision Goggles for SWAT Operations.
DISCUSSION:
The Police Department requires to purchase L3Harris binocular vision devices and accessories from Tactical Night Vision Company, Inc. The Tactical Night Vision Company, Inc. is offering the City better pricing than the price offered through a Port of Portland, Oregon, Request for Proposals, No. 2020-9189 (Contract No. 159469) by Safeware, Inc.
The Police Department is requesting the purchase of twelve (12) L3Harris binocular vision devices and accessories from Tactical Night Vision Company, Inc. pursuant to Purchasing Resolution 23914, Section 602 (d) which states, “Competitive Procurement through the Informal Procurement and Formal Procurement process shall not be required in any of the following circumstances: …(d) When the Procurement can only be obtained timely from a single source and the Manager is satisfied that the best price, terms and conditions for the Procurement thereof have been negotiated”.
The Purchasing Manager concurs that this purchase is in accordance with Purchasing Resolution No. 23914, Section 602 (d).
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This item contributes to Strategic Priority No. 2 Community Well-Being and Goal No. 2.4 – Support programs and innovations that enhance community safety, encourage neighborhood engagement, and build public trust.
This item aligns with each of the five Cross-Cutting Threads as follows:
Community Trust – Purchasing binocular vision devices serves the public interest, benefits the City’s diverse populations, and results in greater public good. The Police Department deploys binocular vision devices to reduce manpower during nighttime surveillance, search and rescue, and covert operations. This invaluable tool increases the safety of police personnel and the community.
Equity – The RPD provides public safety services to all residents in the City of Riverside. Having the ability to deploy binocular vision devices helps in the achievement of this goal by providing the RPD with a tool that improves efficiency and enhances community safety.
Fiscal Responsibility – The proposed purchase is being made with Asset Forfeiture funds and pursuant to Purchasing Resolution 23914, Section 602 (d) alleviating the burden on the General Fund.
Innovation – RPD must constantly evolve and adapt to meet the community’s changing needs and prepare for the future. The proposed purchase of the binocular vision devices will assist the Department in nighttime surveillance, search and rescue, and covert operations through the utilization of this technology.
Sustainability & Resiliency – The purpose of purchasing binocular vision devices is to ensure the Department has the ability to continue to provide public safety services in the present and future, while adapting, and growing with the needs of the community.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total fiscal impact of this action is $191,675.75. The funds are budgeted and available in the Grants and Restricted Programs Fund, Asset Forfeiture, account number 3145201-426800.
Prepared by: Larry Gonzalez, Chief of Police
Certified as to
availability of funds: Edward Enriquez, Interim Assistant City Manager and Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer Approved by: Mike Futrell, City Manager
Approved as to form: Phaedra A. Norton, City Attorney
L3Harris Binocular Vision Devices ● Page 3