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Item 1.F.
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| City Council Regular | |
| Date: | 02/12/2024 |
| Title: | Purchase Night Vision Systems for Police S.W.A.T. Team |
| Presented by: | Rich St. John, Police Chief |
| Department: | Police |
| Presentation: | No |
| Legal Review: | Yes |
| Project Number: | N/A |
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the purchase of Night Vision System in the amount of $345,631.75 from Tactical Night Vision Company.
BACKGROUND (Consistency with Adopted Plans and Policies, if applicable)
City staff was tasked with conducting a Request for Proposals (RFP) process to select a vendor to purchase Night Vision Systems for the Billings S.W.A.T. team.
The national standard and best practice for tactical teams that are similar to the size of the Billings Police S.W.A.T. team, is to be fully capable in daytime and low or no light conditions. Currently, neither the Billings Police S.W.A.T. team nor the Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Tactical Response team, are fully capable in low or no light conditions. In an effort to remedy this deficiency, grant funding was applied for and secured through the State Homeland Security Grant Program in the amount of $345,000 to outfit both teams with night vision systems. The grant funding will cover the cost of onsite training, and night vision systems equipment to be divided among both teams.
On October 23, 2023, City Council approved a Federal Homeland Security Grant in the amount of $345,000 to purchase the Night Visions Systems.
The RFP was advertised on 1/19/24 and 1/26/24 with responses due by 1/31/2024. Three responses were received. A selection committee was formed, including staff from the Police Department and Liz Kampa, the City's Purchasing Agent. The committee reviewed all three proposals and are unanimously recommending contract award to Tactical Night Vision Company in the amount of $345,631.75..
The national standard and best practice for tactical teams that are similar to the size of the Billings Police S.W.A.T. team, is to be fully capable in daytime and low or no light conditions. Currently, neither the Billings Police S.W.A.T. team nor the Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Tactical Response team, are fully capable in low or no light conditions. In an effort to remedy this deficiency, grant funding was applied for and secured through the State Homeland Security Grant Program in the amount of $345,000 to outfit both teams with night vision systems. The grant funding will cover the cost of onsite training, and night vision systems equipment to be divided among both teams.
On October 23, 2023, City Council approved a Federal Homeland Security Grant in the amount of $345,000 to purchase the Night Visions Systems.
The RFP was advertised on 1/19/24 and 1/26/24 with responses due by 1/31/2024. Three responses were received. A selection committee was formed, including staff from the Police Department and Liz Kampa, the City's Purchasing Agent. The committee reviewed all three proposals and are unanimously recommending contract award to Tactical Night Vision Company in the amount of $345,631.75..
ALTERNATIVES
City Council may:
- Approve a contract with Tactical Night Vision Company in the amount of $345,631.75; or,
- Not Approve a contract with Tactical Night Vision Company in the amount of $345,631.75 and provide further direction to staff.
FISCAL EFFECTS
The State Homeland Security Grant Program will pay for the Night Vision Systems purchase. The Police Department will pay the remaining $631.75.