City Council Agenda Report
Meeting Date: August 20, 2024
From: Robert Sousa, Chief of Police
Department: Police
Submitted by: Brandon Gray, Captain
Subject
Authorize the Issuance of a Purchase Order for Motorola Public Safety Radios and Accessories Recommendation
Approve and authorize issuance of a purchase order to Motorola Solutions Inc. for the purchase of Motorola public safety radios and accessories for a total amount not-to-exceed $89,428.
Background
The Vernon Police Department’s (PD) radio system is an essential part of our public safety commitment. Our radio systems connect our first responders with dispatchers, who relay information gathered from our citizens. Recently, PD transitioned to an encrypted radio frequency in response to recent changes to Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and California Department of Justice (CA DOJ) policies. The transition to an encrypted radio frequency necessitated the replacement of public safety radios and associated equipment.
In furtherance of this transition, PD is requesting to purchase six (6) APX 8500 All-Band P25 Mobile Police Unit Radios. The radios to be purchased will be used to replace outdated radios currently installed in PD vehicles and will be installed in new PD vehicles that are either awaiting outfitting or anticipated to be delivered this fiscal year.
PD is also seeking to purchase one (1) APX 8000 All-Band P25 Portable Police Radio. In 2018, PD purchased fifty-one (51) portable radios. As PD continues to create and fill vacant police officer and support staff positions, the number of available portable radios has diminished. The purchase of an additional portable radio will ensure PD maintains a sufficient inventory of available portable radios.
In addition to the portable and mobile radios, PD is also requesting to purchase the following radio accessories:
Forty (40) Motorola Impres 2 batteries – These batteries will replace several of the batteries that were included with the purchase of the APX 8000 portable radios in 2018. The batteries have reached their expected lifespan and are in need of replacement.
Two (2) Motorola Impres 2 battery charging banks – The charging banks will be used to supplement the existing charging banks. The additional charging banks will allow us to have an additional 12 batteries charged and ready for deployment at any time.
Ten (10) Motorola Remote Speaker Microphones – These remote speaker microphones attach to our existing APX 8000 portable radios, allowing an officer to utilize the radio easier. The microphones to be purchased, will be issued to officers who were never issued a microphone.
Five (5) Replacement cables for Motorola Remote Speaker Microphones – These cables connect the microphone to the portable radio. The purchased cables will be used to repair microphones that have damaged cables, negating the need to replace the microphone.
Five (5) Motorola Portable Radio Holsters – These holsters clip onto a standard belt, allowing officers to carry our portable radio while in business attire. These holsters will be issued to officers who were never issued a radio holster.
One (1) Motorola Radio Programing Cable – This cable is used to program both our mobile and portable radios. Currently, PD has had to borrow the cable from another agency in order to program our radios.
One (1) Motorola E5 Control Head – This mobile radio control head will be installed in the rear cargo area of our Patrol Sergeant’s vehicle. The rear cargo area has been outfitted to be used as a mobile command post. The control head will be connected to the APX 8500 mobile radio installed in the front of the vehicle, allowing the supervisor to utilize the radio from the rear cargo area. The existing control head is obsolete and incompatible with our APX 8500 mobile radios.
The proposed purchase is exempt from competitive bidding pursuant to Vernon Municipal Code (VMC) Section 3.32.110 A (5)(b), which states in part that competitive bidding shall not be required for supplies, equipment or services that can be purchased from a vendor offering the same prices, terms and conditions as in a previous award from the City or another public agency either by competitive bid or through a negotiated process and, in the opinion of the Finance Director or designee, it is to the advantage of the City to do so. PD is receiving discounted pricing for this purchase by piggybacking on the existing contract between Motorola Solutions Inc. and Los Angeles County (Contract# MA-IS-2240228-1). The Financial Services Administrator concurs that it is to the advantage of the City to purchase the necessary equipment based on the discounted pricing offered in the LA County contract.
City Council approval is required pursuant to VMC Section 3.32.030 (B) as the City has made other purchases from Motorola Solutions Inc. that, together with the proposed purchase orders in this report, would exceed the $100,000 threshold.
Fiscal Impact
The fiscal impact is not-to-exceed $89,428. Sufficient funds are available in General Fund, Police Department, Capital Equipment – Nonauto Account No. 011-030-300-660015 for the current fiscal year.
Attachments
1. Motorola Solutions Quote #2718309
2. LA County Contract MA-IS-2240228-1