DEPARTMENT: Finance
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Troy Elliott
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Annual Contract for the Installation, Configuration, Maintenance & Support of the Helicopter Video Downlink System for the San Antonio Police Department
SUMMARY:
This ordinance authorizes a contract with CNC Technologies, Inc. to provide for the installation, configuration and maintenance of a state-of-the-art helicopter video downlink system for an initial term upon Council award through November 30, 2020 with four optional one-year renewals for an estimated total contract value of $1,800,000.00. The first-year cost is $307,281.00 of which $207,785.00 will be funded from the 2018 Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) federal grant, $60,121.00 will be funded from 2018 State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) federal grant, and $39,375.00 will be funded from the FY 2020 General Fund Budget. Funding for the additional contract capacity and subsequent maintenance and support costs is subject to City Council approval and the annual budgeting process.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Submitted for City Council consideration and action is the offer submitted by CNC Technologies to provide the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) with a ground receive system, diversity antenna receive site and directional downlink system and CNC Live subscription services for up to four helicopters which will replace an outdated downlink system. The CNC helicopter video downlink system is designed to transmit real time color or thermal based video images wirelessly to assist with command and control during critical incidents for law enforcement and fire operations as well as assisting field officers with their daily operations which includes locating suspects and lost individuals or assisting with surveillance. The contract will include a subscription to CNC Live which is a cloud-based service that provides the user the ability to view real-time downlink footage on any internet connected device. This contract was procured through a Public Health and Safety Exemption, citing a requirement for brand specificity in order to enable SAPD to interact with the video transmissions of the Texas Department of Public Safety, Dallas Police Department, Fort Worth Police Department aircraft and the Bexar County Sheriff’s Departments Emergency Operations Center.
The CNC helicopter video downlink system will provide the SAPD Helicopter Unit with superior day and night time transmittable video capabilities which are vital for command and control to both the Police Departments Southwest Texas FUSION Unit and Mobile Command Post. Through its enhanced technology and long range, the system will ensure frequency stability and full downlink interoperability with Texas Department of Public Safety and the Bexar County Emergency Operations Center during large scale operations, critical incidents, or terrorist attacks. SAPD will experience enhanced situational awareness and will be able to support multi-agency responses during large scale operations by utilizing a centralized resource for viewing and sharing of real-time aerial footage. The CNC helicopter video downlink system is compatible with existing microwave downlink equipment, searchlights, auto trackers, moving maps, and global positioning systems.
The first phase of this project will outfit the helicopter ground operations and provide the necessary product licenses for the newest helicopter in the fleet which is already equipped with the newest downlink equipment. The City has secured unit pricing for the upgrade of downlink equipment and additional product licenses for the remaining helicopter fleet. The initial term of this contract will end on November 30, 2020, with four optional one-year renewals.
ISSUE:
This contract will provide a helicopter video downlink system that will enhance support of public safety to include officer safety and the safety and security of the residents of San Antonio and surrounding areas. The CNC Downlink System will replace an outdated downlink system and will require minimal modifications to existing mounting mechanisms and electronic controls.
The Small Business Economic Development Advocacy (SBEDA) Ordinance requirements were waived due to the lack of small, minority, and/or women businesses available to provide these goods and services.
The recommended award is an exception to the Local Preference Program.
The Veteran-Owned Small Business Preference Program does not apply so no preference was applied to this contract.
ALTERNATIVES:
Should this contract not be approved, the SAPD Helicopter Unit will continue to use outdated technology and equipment which has reached the end of its life cycle. The current downlink system is also not compatible with neighboring jurisdictions and with the Texas Department of Public Safety which is critical for multi-agency exercises and response requests.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This ordinance authorizes a contract with CNC Technologies, Inc. to provide for the installation, configuration and maintenance of a state-of-the-art helicopter video downlink system for an initial term upon Council award through November 30, 2020 with four optional one-year renewals for an estimated total contract value of $1,800,000.00. The first-year cost is $307,281.00 of which $207,785.00 will be funded from the 2018 Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) federal grant, $60,121.00 will be funded from 2018 State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) federal grant, and $39,375.00 will be funded from the FY 2020 Police General Fund Budget. Funding for the additional contract capacity and subsequent maintenance and support costs is subject to City Council approval and the annual budgeting process.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the approval of this contract with CNC Technologies, Inc. for an estimated total contract value of $1,800,000.00.
This contract is procured by means of a Public Health and Safety Exemption and a Discretionary Contract Disclosure Form is not required.