City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: OCTOBER 3, 2023 FROM: POLICE DEPARTMENT WARDS: ALL SUBJECT: PURCHASE WITH FISHER SCIENTIFIC COMPANY LLC., FOR TWO TRUNARC HANDHELD NARCOTICS ANALYZERS WITH FIVE-YEAR WARRANTY IN the TOTAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $74,150.95 ISSUE:
Approve the purchase of two TruNarc handheld narcotics analyzers with a six-year warranty from Fisher Scientific Company LLC., of Pittsburgh, PA, in a total amount not to exceed $74,150.95.
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council approve the purchase of two TruNarc handheld narcotics analyzers with a six-year warranty from Fisher Scientific Company LLC., of Pittsburgh, PA, in a total amount not to exceed $74,150.95.
BACKGROUND:
New drugs are constantly emerging on the illegal market. Among them are Fentanyl, Xylazine, Carfentanil, and other synthetically produced drugs. Of greatest concern to the members of the community is the epidemic of illegal Fentanyl. The number of overdoses from Fetanyl are growing at an alarming rate primarily because only a small amount can be dangerous. It is a synthetic opioid that is about 100 times more powerful than morphine and as little as 2mg, or about the size of a few grains of salt, can be fatal.
The dangers to law enforcement personnel of exposure to fentanyl are increasing. It has been found in virtually every other illicit drug routinely encountered by law enforcement, including, but not limited to Marijuana, Cocaine, Methamphetamine, and Heroin. All suspected drugs obtained during law enforcement operations are required to be field tested in order to obtain criminal filings for cases. The current procedure for the Riverside Police Department involves the opening of packages and handling of suspected drugs in order to test a sample using a chemical reagent kit. This process requires law enforcement personnel to potentially come into contact with substances such as fentanyl. The Tru-Narc device virtually eliminates the need for officers to open packages of suspected drugs, as it’s Raman Laser beam can penetrate most packaging materials commonly encountered in the field.
DISCUSSION:
The Police Department is proposing to purchase two TruNarc handheld narcotics analyzers for the Investigations Bureau so that law enforcement personnel can detect Fentanyl without coming into contact with it.
The TruNarc Device will allow officers to analyze substances without touching the contents or opening packages found during normal operations. Specifically, it will detect the presence of Fentanyl and other dangerous substances by utilizing a Raman Laser spectrometry, that can penetrate most packaging materials, to accurately determine the molecular structure of a substance, and then compare it to a robust library of known substances in order to identify it. The device is simple enough to use without extensive training, rugged enough to stand up to the demands of use at the patrol level, has a high degree of reliability and has been deemed by the District Attorney’s Office as an acceptable device to use for a presumptive test for narcotics. Therefore, the TruNarc has been determined to be the only device that meets all of the Police Department’s needs. Additionally, Fisher Scientific Company LLC., is able to supply the department with the devices in a timely many and at a price lower than competitively bid cooperative pricing.
The Police Department reached out to three companies to obtain pricing for the TruNarc Devices. Safeware, Inc. provided a quote under OMNIA contract #4400008468 in the amount of $93,041.68. Thermo Scientific Portable Analytical Instruments Inc. provided a quote under GSA multiple award schedule GS-07F-6099R in the amount of $75,203.51. Fisher Scientific Company LLC., which has no co-operative contract, provided a quote in the amount of $74,150.95. OMNIA contracts are created using comparable competitive bidding whereas GSA multiple award schedules establish long-term contracts with multiple firms to provide a wide variety of suppliers. Therefore, Fisher Scientific Company, LLC., even though not competitively bid, is providing better pricing than what can be obtained using the OMNIA Cooperative contract or the GSA pricing with a savings of $18,890.73.
For these reasons, the City has determined that Fisher Scientific Company LLC., meets the requirements of Purchasing Resolution No. 23914, Section 602(h), which states, “Competitive Procurement through the Informal Procurement and Formal Procurement process shall not be required in any of the following circumstances: …(h) When Goods can be Procured from a Bidder who offers the same or better price, terms and conditions as the Bidder previously offered as the Lowest Responsive Bidder under Competitive Procurement conducted by the City or another public agency, provided that, in the opinion of the Manager, it is in the best interests of the City to do so”.
The Department is requesting authorization to purchase two TruNarc handheld narcotics analyzers for the Department’s use from Fisher Scientific Company LLC., in the total amount of $74,150.95.
The Purchasing Manager concurs that the recommend purchase is in compliance with Purchasing Resolution No. 23914, Section 602(h).
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This item contributes to Strategic Priority No. 2 - Community Well-Being and Goal 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 TruNarc handheld narcotics analyzers for law enforcement personnel will enable them to safely detect fentanyl and remove it from the community which will serve the public interest, benefit the City’s diverse populations, and result in greater public good.
Equity – The RPD provides public safety services to all residents in the City of Riverside. Having the ability to safely detect fentanyl and remove it from the community helps in the achievement of this goal and ensures that RPD employees can increase community safety.
Fiscal Responsibility – The RPD is proposing this purchase in accordance with Purchasing Resolution 23914, Sections 602(h). Purchasing from Fisher Scientific Company LLC., assures the best price for the City.
Innovation – In order to meet the community’s changing needs and prepare for the future, RPD researches and deploys new technology that will ensure the safety of law enforcement personnel while effectively performing their duties for the community.
Sustainability & Resiliency – The purpose of purchasing two TruNarc handheld narcotics analyzers is to ensure the Department has the ability to safely 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 the action is $74,150.95. Sufficient funds are budgeted and available in the Grants and Restricted Programs Fund, State COPS 22/23 Grant account number 9347700-440210.
Prepared by: Larry Gonzalez, Chief of Police
Certified as to
availability of funds: Kristie Thomas, Finance Director/Assistant Chief Financial Officer Approved by: Mike Futrell, City Manager
Approved as to form: Phaedra A. Norton, City Attorney
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