CITY OF SAN MATEO
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CITY OF SAN MATEO
Agenda Report
City Hall
330 W. 20th Avenue
San Mateo CA 94403
www.cityofsanmateo.org
Agenda Number: 16 Section Name: {{section.name}} Account Number: 10-5112 File ID: {{item.tracking_number}} TO: City Council
FROM: Alex Khojikian, City Manager
PREPARED BY: Police Department
MEETING DATE: October 21, 2024
SUBJECT:
Unmanned Aerial Systems Program – Amendment
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve Amendment No. 3 to the master services and purchasing agreement with Axon Enterprise, Inc., to provide additional equipment and software for the unmanned aerial systems program for a five-year term in the amount of $83,348.90, for a new cumulative agreement total of $1,759,352.53; authorize the Chief of Police to issue change orders of up to $50,000 cumulatively, and the City Manager to issue change orders in excess of $50,000 but not to exceed $100,000 cumulatively; and authorize the Chief of Police to execute the agreement in substantially the form presented.
BACKGROUND:
The San Mateo Police Department has utilized unmanned aerial system (UAS) technology since 2020. Often referred to as a drone, a UAS is an aircraft that is controlled remotely from the ground. UAS are used to provide aerial observation to enhance the efficiency and safety of police operations. The uses include, but are not limited to, scene documentation, area searches for people and/or evidence, disaster response, tactical operations, and critical incident management.
Drone technology has improved significantly over the last several years, making the use of this equipment an increasingly essential part of law enforcement operations. The Police Department wishes to augment the UAS program and has identified Skydio X10 as providing a comprehensive solution which is the best fit for our agency.
The Skydio X10 drone and Skydio Remote Flight Deck Software is a program built for law enforcement. The Remote Flight Deck software will allow us to fly the drone from a remote location such as a computer terminal in a Real Time Information Center or dispatch center. The system includes automated tracking of pilot, aircraft, flight logs, and live streaming for situational awareness, which increases opportunities for de-escalation. Purchase of the Skydio system through Axon will allow for seamless integration with the Police Department’s other UAS systems. All video evidence recorded will upload to Axon’s Evidence.com and can easily be transmitted for discovery purposes. The integration of video storage from body worn cameras, in-car cameras, and UAS provides for a time-efficient and cost-effective solution to data storage.
All UAS operations are conducted by personnel who have received the required training and certification. Flights are approved in advance by the UAS unit commander and pilot, who ensure compliance with Department policy as well as FAA flight restrictions. A primary concern with any UAS program is privacy. During flight, the remote pilot takes all steps to ensure the camera is focused on the areas necessary to the mission and refrains from the collection of data concerning uninvolved persons or places. The FAA and the SMPD policy have strict rules and regulations as to when, where, how, and why a UAS operation is permitted. The UAS are not equipped with any weapons.
The San Mateo Police Department currently has a multi-year master services and purchasing agreement (MSPA) with Axon Enterprise, Inc., for body worn cameras, tasers, a virtual reality training simulation system and the Axon Air drone
CITY OF SAN MATEO
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program. The proposed amendment will incorporate a 5-year contract for the Skydio equipment and software into our existing Axon contract, and effectively consolidate operations of our existing UAS equipment onto one platform and provide the necessary systems, software licenses, maintenance, hardware, training, and related services for a comprehensive public safety UAS program with seamless integration with all of our current technologies. Axon does not own Skydio; however, purchasing the Skydio program through Axon is the best way to ensure seamless integration and inter-operability with all our current Axon technologies, which is essential. Staff proposes amending the Axon MSPA for a five-year term in the amount of $83,348.90.
BUDGET IMPACT:
The cost of amending the Axon MSPA to provide for the Skydio program amounts to $34,077.70 in fiscal year 2024-25 and funding for this purpose has been included in the adopted operating budget. Future annual cost of $12,317.80 will be included in subsequent operating budgets.
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION:
This action is not a project subject to CEQA, because it can be seen with certainty that it will not cause a physical change in the environment. (Public Resources Code Section 21065.)
NOTICE PROVIDED
All meeting noticing requirements were met.
ATTACHMENTS
Att 1 – Master Services and Purchasing Agreement
Att 2 – Amendment No. 3
STAFF CONTACT
Ed Barberini, Chief of Police
[email protected]
(650) 522-7600
Anthony Riccardi, Lieutenant
[email protected]
(650) 522-7689