Council Staff Report - Purchase of Apex Officer Training Simulator

DATE: APRIL 26, 2022
DEPARTMENT: SALINAS POLICE DEPARTMENT
FROM: ROBERTO FILICE, CHIEF OF POLICE
BY: TONYA ERICKSON, MANAGEMENT ANALYST
TITLE: DIRECT PURCHASE OF APEX OFFICER TRAINING SIMULATOR SYSTEM RECOMMENDED MOTION:

A motion to approve a Resolution authorizing the direct purchase of the Apex Officer Pro Training Simulator Suite with hardware upgrade for a total cost not to exceed $67,500.

RECOMMENDATION:

Staff recommends that City Council approve the direct purchase of the Apex Officer Pro Training Simulator Suite with hardware upgrade for a total cost not to exceed $67,500.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

The Salinas Police Department is requesting approval to purchase the Apex Officer Training Simulator system to provide interactive crisis intervention, de-escalation, and use of force training for Department staff. The purchase of this system will increase the Police Departments ability to provide local training options for our staff while maximizing flexibility in scheduling duration and location of trainings.

BACKGROUND:

Approximately two years ago the Salinas Police Department began researching and evaluating virtual reality training systems to increase our internal training capacity. The Apex Officer Training system is an interactive crisis intervention, de-escalation, and use of force training simulator. The Apex Officer system was identified as the preferred training solution as it allows trainers to give presentations and classes, conduct interactive testing and assessments, and provide immersive hands-on scenario-based exercises with detailed debriefing and after-action reviews. The purchase of this equipment will increase the Department’s capacity to provide on-site and local, thus reducing the costs and logistics involved with traditional training. The Apex Officer system allow trainings to be run by a single instructor with maximum portability in training location. Many other systems require a fixed location, while Apex Officer allows for customized set-up with the largest available training space. This flexibility allows training to take place in a variety of locations, utilizing less resources, and maximizing the flexibility in training schedules.

The Apex Officer system is portable, with the ability to easily transport from one location to another as the system is run by a laptop computer. The system allows for dynamic scenarios which can be customized by the available training location. The virtual reality headset delivers a 360-degree environment and multidirectional audio, and the microphone input allows for dynamic scenarios. The wireless system can provide its own WiFi signal and does not need to be connected to the system and includes a variety of virtual training weapons which use wireless connectivity. The system also has a hot-swappable battery system to support extended training periods without having to shut down. The system provides a significant library of available scenarios, but also allows the trainer to provide real-time customization of the actions and responses of a community member in crisis during the scenario. Should force be used during a scenario, the system provides analytics and exact details regarding location, movements, actions, etc.

Govred Technology, Inc., the manufacturer and distributor of Apex Officer, has provided a proposal offering the Apex Officer – Pro Training Simulator for $47,500 which includes a discount of $50,868 from the original price of $98,368. The proposal also offers the Apex Officer X2 – Hardware Upgrade for $20,000, which includes a discount of $15,000 from the original price of $35,000. The Salinas Police Department desires to purchase the upgraded hardware which represents a significant upgrade from VR industry standard equipment and provides improved comfort, noise cancelling technology, improved interactivity, improved hardware-software compatibility, and improved reliability. The total proposal cost is $67,500 and includes lifetime software upgrades included in the purchase price. There are no additional fees out side of the purchase price.

The department is requesting approval for the direct purchase of the Apex Officer Pro Training Simulator Suite with Hardware Upgrade from Govred Technology, Inc. for a total cost not to exceed $67,500. Additional training systems were evaluated but found to offer equipment and scenarios that were less impressive at a comparable cost. Given the substantial discount offered in the attached proposal, as well as the inclusion of all future software updates included, the Apex Officer Pro Training Simulator Suite has proven to be the best available product at the lowest cost.

The Apex Officer Training Suite is a sole-source product from Govred Technology, Inc. The City Council has the authority to approve this direct purchase under Salinas Municipal code Section12-27 and without application of the local purchasing preference pursuant to Salinas Municipal Code Section 12-28.080.

POLICE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE:

The Police Department plans to share information regarding the Apex Officer Training Simulator during the Police Community Advisory Committee’s next meeting on April 27, 2022. During that meeting, committee members will have an opportunity to learn more about this system and how it will be used at the Salinas Police Department.

CEQA CONSIDERATION:

Not a Project. The City of Salinas has determined that the proposed action is not a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (CEQA Guidelines Section 15378).

STRATEGIC PLAN INITIATIVE:

Approving the purchase will support the City Council’s Strategic Plan Goal of Public Safety and Effective and Culturally Responsive Government.

DEPARTMENTAL COORDINATION:

The Police Department will coordinate with the Finance Department during the purchasing process.

FISCAL AND SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT:

No additional funds are requested to support this purchase. Funds are appropriated and available within the Police Department’s Patrol Division budget, account 1000.40.4220-62.5120.

Salinas City CouncilApril 26, 2022

Salinas City Council
April 26, 2022