DEPARTMENT: Finance
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Troy Elliott
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Purchase of Integrated Ballistics Identification System
SUMMARY:
This Ordinance will authorize a contract with Ultra Electronics Forensic Technology Inc., to provide the San Antonio Police Department with the purchase of an Integrated Ballistics Identification System (IBIS) for participation in the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) program. Funding in the amount of $181,753.00 for this program will be provided through a grant awarded by the United States Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Technology Innovation for Public Safety.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Submitted for City Council consideration and action is the offer submitted by Ultra Electronics Forensic Technology Inc., to provide the San Antonio Police Department with the purchase of an Integrated Ballistics Identification System (IBIS) BRASSTRAX Acquisition Station for a total cost of $181,753.00.
On November 9, 2017 the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) accepted a grant in the amount of $208,715.00 from the United States Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Technology Innovation for Public Safety for the implementation of technology related to, and to participate in, the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN). The NIBIN Program automates ballistic evaluations and provides actionable investigative leads in a timely manner. The NIBIN is the only interstate automated ballistic imaging network in operation in the United States and is available to most major population centers in the United States. The ATF administers and supports the NIBIN program as well as regulates the systems that are allowable for entry of data. The only system authorized for the entry of shell casing data is the Ultra Electronics Forensic Technology Inc., Integrated Ballistics Identification System (IBIS), BRASSTRAX Acquisition Station and is being provided under an exemption to competitive bidding due to the equipment only being available from one source.
The SAPD currently has access to one NIBIN system which is on temporary loan from the ATF. There is a Memorandum Of Understanding in place with ATF which provided the SAPD with the hardware and training to begin the implementation of a NIBIN program within the Department.
Prior to the NIBIN Program, firearms examiners performed this process manually which was extremely labor intensive. To use the NIBIN, firearms examiners or technicians enter cartridge casing evidence into the IBIS and the images are correlated against the national and/or regional database. Law enforcement can search against evidence from their jurisdiction, neighboring ones, and others across the country. This program is one investigative tool accessed by law enforcement that allows each of entity to share information and reinforce cooperation resulting in more effective case closures.
The program uses an integrated investigative approach that works in concert with other Federal, State, tribal, and local law enforcement agencies in combating firearms-related violence using ballistic imaging technology to compare images of ballistic evidence obtained from crime scenes and firearms. The mission of the program is to reduce firearms violence through aggressive targeting, investigation, and prosecution of shooters and their sources of crime guns.
Participation in this program is expressly restricted to the sharing of ballistic imaging of firearms data associated with crimes recovered by any law enforcement agency in the United States and international law enforcement partners who have entered into agreements with ATF to share ballistic data. ATF may work with international law enforcement partners to search their networks in an effort to identify a gun in their database against a crime gun in ATF’s NIBIN network.
NIBIN systems may be used only for imaging of ballistic evidence and test fires of firearms illegally possessed, used in a crime, or suspected by law enforcement officials of having been used in a crime. Ballistics information and/or evidence from firearms taken into law enforcement custody through a Gun Buy Back Program, property damage crimes involving firearms, found or abandoned firearms and domestic disturbances are permitted for entry in the NIBIN database.
The proposed purchase in the amount of $181,753.00 includes the purchase of one BRASSTRAX Acquisition Station, shipping and installation, and an additional three year warranty (total of four years warranty).
ISSUE:
The proposed ordinance continues the City Council's policy of seeking intergovernmental financial assistance for City crime prevention and enforcement programs addressing violent crime and gun crime.
This contract is exempt from competitive bidding and is excluded from the scope of the SBEDA and Local Preference programs.
The Veteran-Owned Small Business Preference Program does not apply to non-professional service contracts, so no preference was applied to this contract.
ALTERNATIVES:
Should this purchase not be approved, the San Antonio Police Department would be unable to utilize the awarded grant funding. Failure to implement a NIBIN program could affect Police operations which address violent gun crime as well as the safety and welfare of the police officers and city residents.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This ordinance authorizes a contract with Ultra Electronics Forensic Technology Inc., for a one-time purchase of an Integrated Ballistics Identification System (IBIS) for participation in the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) program. Funding for this one-time is available through a grant awarded by the United States Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Technology Innovation for Public Safety in the amount of $181,753.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the approval of the contract with Ultra Electronics Forensic Technology Inc., for the purchase of one Integrated Ballistics Identification System, BRASSTRAX Acquisition Station, for participation in the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms National Integrated Ballistic Information Network program.
This contract was procured as an exemption to competitive bidding since the required equipment and services are only available from a single source and a Contract Disclosure Form is not required.