DATE: AUGUST 18, 2026
DEPARTMENT: POLICE DEPARTMENT
FROM: CARLOS ACOSTA, CHIEF OF POLICE
TITLE: DOJ NATIONAL INTEGRATED BALLISTIC INFORMATION NETWORK (NIBIN) MODERNIZATION PROGRAM RECOMMENDED MOTION:
A motion to approve a Resolution:
Authorizing the acceptance of the $300,000 U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) Modernization Program Grant, if awarded, and delegating authority to the City Manager to execute all grant-related documents; and Establishing the DOJ NIBIN Modernization Grant expense appropriation and corresponding revenue budget for up to $300,000 to support grant activities; and Delegating authority to the City Manager or designee to execute a Memorandum of Understanding with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); and Authorizing the direct purchase and payment for the LeadsOnline IBIS BrassTrax ballistic imaging equipment, licensing, and services, for a term of seven (7) years at a cost not to exceed $300,000.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The Salinas Police Department was identified as one of only 170 law enforcement agencies eligible to receive a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) under the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) Modernization Program. This grant will provide funding to modernize ballistic imaging technology at the Salinas Police Crime Lab, ensuring continued excellence in forensic capabilities and supporting law enforcement efforts to investigate and solve gun crimes. The Department is requesting authorization to accept the DOJ - NIBIN Modernization Grant, establish an expense appropriation and corresponding revenue budget of up to $300,000, execute an updated MOU with ATF, and purchase the IBIS BrassTrax ballistic imaging equipment, licensing, and services, for a term of seven (7) years at a cost not to exceed $300,000.
BACKGROUND:
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) Modernization Program Grant is a collaboration between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the DOJ’s Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA). Its purpose is to provide state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies with funding to acquire modern ballistic imaging equipment and implement best practices in crime gun intelligence. The program aims to replace 194 pieces of outdated equipment at 170 existing NIBIN sites nationwide, with grant funds covering the full cost of new NIBIN-compatible equipment and maintenance for five years. The Salinas Police Department was identified as one of the 170 law enforcement agencies eligible for these grant funds, with a designated award of $300,000 to replace the existing IBIS BrassTrax ballistic imaging system. The overarching goals of the DOJ NIBIN Modernization Program are to improve nationwide access to NIBIN, increase ballistic evidence processing capacity, reduce backlogs, and improve gun crime case clearance rates. These nationwide goals directly inform the role and operations of the Salinas Police Department’s NIBIN lab, and acceptance of this grant will enhance the capacity of the Salinas Police Department Crime Lab, reduce evidence processing backlogs, and strengthen multi-jurisdictional responses to violent crime across the Central Coast.
The Salinas Police Department’s NIBIN Lab, a partnership with the ATF, was established in 2001 to address the growing need for advanced forensic services in Monterey County and the broader Central Coast region. Since its inception, the lab has played a pivotal role in supporting local law enforcement agencies with timely and accurate forensic analysis, particularly in cases involving gun violence and gang activity. The Salinas Crime Lab is the only NIBIN site between San Jose and Ventura, making it an indispensable resource for the City of Salinas and neighboring jurisdictions. Its regional reach enables collaborative investigations, rapid sharing of ballistic intelligence, and coordinated responses to transnational criminal organizations.
The lab’s unique position as a regional asset is further underscored by its partnerships with federal agencies such as the FBI and ATF, as well as local and state law enforcement. These collaborations have resulted in improved crime-solving rates and enhanced public safety outcomes. The modernization grant will allow the lab to upgrade its technology, ensuring compliance with current ATF NIBIN technical specifications and supporting seamless integration with the National NIBIN Network. In addition to its regional impact, the lab’s work is further strengthened through its strong collaboration with federal partners, which expands investigative capacity and information sharing. Building on these successful partnerships and outcomes, the need for modernization is essential to ensure the lab stays aligned with evolving national standards.
The City of Salinas has an existing MOU the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) regarding operation of the NIBIN Lab, and the condition of this grant and purchase of new equipment is to enter into an updated MOU with ATF. To fulfil this requirement, we are requesting that City Council delegate authority to the City Manager or designee to execute the required MOU.
The table below represents the purchase to be completed with the $300,000 NIBIN Modernization Program grant funds. We are requesting authorization for this direct purchase, including equipment and ongoing licensing, software, and services, for a term of seven (7) years.
Quote
Equipment/Service Included
Cost
Year 1 – Year 5
BrassTrax Acquisition Station (Grant funded)
$300,000.00
Year 6 – Year 7
BrassTrax Acquisition Station (included at no cost)
$0.00
TOTAL Cost (Not to Exceed)
$300,000.00
LeadsOnline is the exclusive manufacturer and distributor of the IBIS BrassTrax ballistic imaging system, and is the only vendor authorized to provide the technology required for NIBIN compatible ballistic evidence processing. Their BrassTrax Acquisition Station is the sole federally certified system capable of meeting ATF and NIBIN interoperability, security, and certification standards, making alternative products infeasible. Because the equipment is protected by patents and proprietary technology, no other company can legally supply, install, or maintain IBIS systems, and national guidance confirms that all NIBIN sites must use this platform.
Salinas PD’s operational continuity further depends on vendor specific installation, calibration, and integration with federal crime gun intelligence infrastructure. As a result, procurement from LeadsOnline is mandatory to maintain compliance, functionality, and uninterrupted regional investigative capability. As part of the purchasing process with LeadsOnline, a Subscription Services Agreement and IBIS Solution Subscription are required. Given the equipment requirements and the federally mandated vendor exclusivity outlined above, a sole source procurement approach is required. City Council has the authority to approve this direct purchase without the application of low-bid based competition (Salinas Municipal Code Section 12-03.11) and local purchasing preference (Salinas Municipal Code Section 12-28.070).
Given the information provided above, the Department is requesting authorization to accept the DOJ - NIBIN Grant award, establish an expense appropriation and corresponding revenue budget of up to $300,000, execute an updated MOU with ATF, and complete the direct purchase of the IBIS BrassTrax ballistic imaging equipment, licensing, and services from LeadsOnline, for a term of seven (7) years at a cost not to exceed $300,000.
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). In addition, CEQA Guidelines Section 15061 includes the general rule that CEQA applies only to activities 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. Because the proposed action and this matter have no potential to cause any effect on the environment, or because it falls within a category of activities excluded as projects pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378, this matter is not a project. Because the matter does not cause a direct or foreseeable indirect physical change on or in the environment, this matter is not a project. Any subsequent discretionary projects resulting from this action will be assessed for CEQA applicability.
CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLIES:
No.
STRATEGIC PLAN INITIATIVE:
Approving these actions will support the City Council Strategic Plan Goals of Public Safety.
DEPARTMENTAL COORDINATION:
The Police Department will work with the Legal Department during approval and execution of grant documents, and with the Finance Department during implementation.
FISCAL AND SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT:
No matching funds are required from the City of Salinas to receive the grant funds.
Fund
General Ledger Number (Operating/CIP)
General Ledger Account Name
Remaining Budget Appropriation
Amount Requested
TBD
TBD
TBD Expense
N/A
$300,000
TBD
TBD
TBD Revenue
N/A
$300,000
ATTACHMENTS:
Resolution – DOJ NIBIN Modernization Grant
NIBIN MOU with ATF
LeadsOnline Quote
LeadsOnline IBIS Sole Source Letter
LeadsOnline Subscription Services Agreement
LeadsOnline IBIS Solution Subscription
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