Placement: Consent Agenda
Action Requested: Motion / Vote
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Approval to Purchase Axon Related Products to Expand the Police Department’s Inventory of Body Worn Cameras and Tasers Utilizing the Sourcewell Cooperative Contract #010720-AXN.
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Submitted By: Robyn Holder, CPPB, Procurement Management Division (PMD).
Strategic Plan Link: The City's Goal of a high-performing city government organization.
Summary Brief (Agreements/Contracts only)
1. Prepared by: Robyn Holder, CPPB (PMD).
2. Parties: City of Port St. Lucie and Axon Enterprise, Inc.
3. Purpose: The Port St. Lucie Police Department needs to expand the current use of Axon related products (body worn cameras, tasers, supplemental equipment, and digital capabilities) to meet the needs of a growing city.
4. New/Renewal/Modified: Modified.
5. Duration: One (1) four (4) year agreement to begin November 1, 2023, and one (1) five (5) year agreement to begin November 1, 2023. Both agreements will end in November 2027 (the four-year agreement phases out the equipment so that both agreements expire at the same time).
6. Benefits to Port St. Lucie: This purchase would allow the expansion of the current equipment inventory to equip the new sworn employees and provide additional licensing/access to support personnel.
7. Cost to Port St. Lucie (Annual and Potential): The 4-year agreement is for $1,194,096.94 and the 5-year agreement is for $5,870,431.31 for a total amount of $7,064,528.25.
Presentation Information: N/A.
Staff Recommendation: Move that the Council approve the additional Axon equipment purchase utilizing the Sourcewell Cooperative Contract #010720-AXN that Council approved on August 28, 2023.
Alternate Recommendations:
1. Move that the Council amend the recommendation and approve the additional equipment purchase utilizing the Sourcewell Cooperative Contract #010720-AXN.
2. Move that the Council not approve the additional purchase and provide staff with direction.
Background: The Port St. Lucie Police Department has used Axon related products for almost 20 years. Formally Taser, this company has provided the industry standard for less lethal conducted energy weapons. In addition to the Taser, Axon began over a decade ago with Body Worn Cameras and their operating system, Evidence.com. This platform has proven itself over time and is being used by agencies within the 19th judicial circuit. The Police Department has used this specific software since its inception with Taser and began using it approximately 2-1/2 years ago with the Body Worn Camera Program. This software has been instrumental in the retention and categorization of digital evidence.
The increased equipment needs are in line with the current strategic plan as it relates to staffing. Over the past year, the Police Department has transitioned away from previously supported digital evidence platforms to now solely using Evidence.com. This provides a seamless way for different divisions within the Police Department to share information instantly. It also provides a platform to seamlessly share case information with the State Attorney’s office in a timelier manner, which greatly assists with the prosecution of criminal cases. Since the inception of the Body Worn Cameras (BWC) program, it has provided additional transparency and accountability to the citizens we serve by having video documentation for all calls for service.
By obtaining additional equipment and transitioning to the latest Body Worn Camera and Taser platform, Council and the citizens will see the following improvements:
• Body Worn Cameras - They will provide an increased aspect ratio, longer battery life, upgraded camera, improved security and encryption, and durability.
• Tasers - They will provide increased tracking abilities, waterproofing, a better delivery system to help reduce risk, control over individual Taser probes, and increased distance capability. By having the ability to deploy this less lethal platform up to 45 feet, this helps provide more distance between the suspect and the officer, therefore reducing risk.
These changes separate this platform from all its predecessors by being the most efficient devices to date.
Issues/Analysis: Staff has reviewed the proposals and finds them to be in line with industry standards and recommends approval.
Financial Information: Funds are appropriated in each year’s approved budget for the Police CIP Fund / Law Enforcement / Other Machinery & Equipment (#301-2105-564400-00000).
Special Consideration: N/A.
Location of Project: N/A.
Attachments:
1. Master Service and Purchasing Agreement.
2. Signed Agreement #Q-501530-45170.651AP.
3. Signed Agreement #Q-501473-45170.617AP.
NOTE: All of the listed items in the “Attachment” section above are in the custody of the City Clerk. Any item(s) not provided in City Council packets are available upon request from the City Clerk.
Internal Reference Number: 23255-12.
Legal Sufficiency Review:
Reviewed by Alyssa Lunin, Deputy City Attorney. Approved as to Legal form and sufficiency by James D. Stokes, City Attorney.