Police Department
www.santa-ana.org/pd
Item # 14
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Staff Report
May 6, 2025
TOPIC: Urban Area Security Initiative Grant Training Agreement
AGENDA TITLE
Agreement with SenseMakers, LLC to Provide Training Exercise Services for the Urban Area Security Initiative Grant Program FY2023 - FY2027 (Specification No. 25-024A) (Non-General Fund)
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Authorize the City Manager to execute a three-year agreement, with two, one-year renewal options, with SenseMakers, LLC to provide on-going training deliverables to the Anaheim/Santa Ana Urban Area on an as-needed basis, for the period of May 6, 2025 through May 5, 2028 in an aggregate amount not to exceed $433,619 (Agreement No.
A-2025-XXX).
GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLIES: Yes
DISCUSSION
The United States Department of Homeland Security has developed the Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) grant funding program. UASI is designed to address the unique planning, equipment, training, and exercise needs of high-threat, high-density urban areas and provides funds to local emergency first responders that assist in building an enhanced and sustainable capacity to prevent, protect, respond to, mitigate, and recover from acts of terrorism. The grant specifically provides funding for anti- terrorism equipment, planning, training, exercises, and technical assistance. Santa Ana has been designated as an Urban Area Core City since 2003. As such, for selected grant program years, Santa Ana is the fiduciary for the region and manages projects, which includes providing training and procuring equipment utilized by the 34 jurisdictions in Orange County.
In an effort to address the unique needs of a high-density, high-threat urban area, the Anaheim/Santa Ana Urban Area (ASAUA) allocates a set percentage of its annual grant allocation to fund training for the Orange County region. With program management from the Santa Ana Police Department Homeland Security Division, the ASAUA
Urban Area Security Initiative Grant Training Agreement May 6, 2025
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Homeland Security Regional Training Program is designed to provide the ASAUA multi- disciplinary stakeholders with regional training necessary to meet the goals and objectives set forth in the ASAUA's homeland security strategy and target capabilities identified in the Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA). The goal of these agreements is to enhance the capabilities of the current program by providing access to a wide range of multi-disciplinary training in support of a comprehensive and regional approach.
On February 13, 2025, the Police Department issued Request for Proposal (RFP #25- 024A) on the City’s online bid management and publication system to identify and qualify suitable vendors capable of delivering a broad choice of homeland security related exercises taught by subject matter experts and/or recognized professionals in the field of law. Additionally, the RFP sought to identify and qualify suitable vendors who are capable of developing and delivering a broad range of homeland security related training exercises.
A summary of the proposals and offers received is as follows:
603 Vendors were notified
1 Santa Ana vendor notified
24 Vendors downloaded the RFP
6 Proposals received
0 Proposals received from a Santa Ana vendor
Proposals were opened on March 6, 2025 and evaluated. An evaluation team reviewed and rated all proposals received to determine if necessary qualifications were met. The proposals were evaluated and scored according to criteria identified within the RFP, including Responsiveness to RFP (15%), Experience of Firm and Personnel (50%), Reasonableness of Cost (25%), and References (10%).
Of the six (6) proposals received, all six (6) were determined to be responsive and qualified based on their response to the specifications and requirements identified by the City. After the evaluation process, the Santa Ana Police Department Homeland Security Division selected SenseMakers, LLC to provide exercises on an as-needed basis.
The addition of SenseMakers, LLC will support the Homeland Security Training Program to enhance capabilities across multiple disciplines and jurisdictions during the current program years. SenseMakers, LLC will provide County-wide Active Shooter and Mass Casualty Terrorist Attack exercises at $72,270 per offering in the total amount not to exceed $433,619 as allocated over the course of grant program years FY 2023, FY 2024, and FY 2025. If the City exercises one or both of the one-year options, then FY 2026 and FY 2027 grant funds will be included under the same “not to exceed” amount.
Urban Area Security Initiative Grant Training Agreement May 6, 2025
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ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
There is no environmental impact associated with this action.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funding is available in the FY 24-25 budget and funding for subsequent fiscal years will be included in the proposed budgets and carryovers for City Council consideration as follows:
Fiscal
Year
Accounting Unit
– Account No.
Fund
Description
Accounting Unit,
Account No.
Description
Amount
FY 24-25 12514407-62300 OES UASI
UASI Santa Ana,
Contract Services-
Professional
$ 51,218
FY 25-26 12514407-62300 OES UASI
UASI Santa Ana,
Contract Services-
Professional
$ 93,322
Total $ 144,540
The amounts above are estimated projections. The account number may change in the future to no. 12514491-62300, depending upon which UASI grant FY funds are used for these specific training projects. The remaining $289,079 of the agreement may be expended in any future fiscal year and is subject to future grant approval.
EXHIBIT(S)
1. Agreement with SenseMakers, LLC
Submitted By: Robert Rodriguez, Police Chief
Approved By: Alvaro Nuñez, City Manager