Consideration and Approval of Contract: Approve the First Amendment to the Master Services and Purchasing Agreement with AXON Enterprise, Inc. (f/k/a Taser International, Inc.) in the amount of $136,143 for the AXON Virtual Reality (VR) Training Platform.

1. Approve the First Amendment to the Master Services and Purchasing Agreement with AXON Enterprise, Inc. (f/k/a Taser International, Inc.) in the amount of $136,143.00 for the AXON VR Training Platform; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute the necessary documents.

The Flagstaff Police Department (FPD) is committed to provide its officers with adequate training as well as exemplary service to the community. The AXON VR Training Platform will use current tools available to FPD, such as the Taser 7, Glock duty weapon, pepper spray and baton. The AXON VR Training Platform is a wireless head mounted device that does not need a dedicated work space and is operated using a tablet. FPD will develop scenarios and content for the AXON VR Training Program in conjunction with subject-matter experts like career clinicians, crisis intervention and mental health counselors, educators, and community leaders on all content. If FPD chooses to add the AXON VR Training Platform to its training cadre, FPD will receive 120 user licenses (Sworn personnel), five (5) VR Headsets and two (2) VR Handsets (firearm, cartridges, tablet). With this AXON VR Training Platform, there are no additional accessories to purchase, making this tool immediately implementable in FPD training modules.

The AXON VR Training Platform is completely wireless. All training scenarios and content can be reviewed and downloaded into the AXON Evidence Cloud that FPD currently uses to maintain compliance with training records retention purposes. FPD already has a contract with AXON for body cameras, Taser 7 devices, AXON Signal devices, and Evidence.Com storage, and other services included with the Officer Safety Plan (OSP+).

The AXON VR Training Platform will cost $27,228.60 per year for five (5) years or a one-time payment of $136,143.00. This cost also includes any and all modules that AXON creates and releases over that five (5)-year period. AXON is on the cutting edge of creating public safety services. They are constantly working with experts in law enforcement and behavioral health professions to create the scenario and judgmental based training. This new information will be provided free of charge. Additionally, FPD will receive unlimited Taser 7 cartridges as part of the underlying contract and this First Amendment, which saves on cartridge replacement costs each year for training or after deployments.

Priority Based Budget Key Community Priorities and Objectives
Carbon Neutrality Plan
Regional Plan

Yes. In June 2021, the City Council approved the current AXON Master Services and Purchasing Agreement that supports the Body Worn Camera Program utilized by FPD.

1. Approve the First Amendment for the AXON VR Training Platform; or
2. Reject the purchase.

FPD successfully implemented the use of body worn cameras in July of 2014. All sworn officers assigned to patrol and working in the field have been equipped with AXON FLEX 2 body worn cameras. The City is currently in year two (2) of a five (5)-year contract with AXON that supports FPD body worn camera program and our tasers.

The customer service provided by AXON has been exceptional and support is available when FPD requires it, especially, during major investigations. The AXON VR Training Platform includes a tablet that is not tethered to the headset and allows for the trainer to control the scenario when engaged in judgmental or community engagement type training. The AXON VR Training Platform is completely wireless and all training scenarios can be reviewed and downloaded into the AXON Evidence Cloud in compliance with training records retention purposes. 
 
The AXON VR Training Platform is not only scenario based law enforcement training capable, but also a community engagement tool FPD would use during Citizen Police Academies, National Night Out events, and any other law enforcement / community engagements where personally experiencing police training would be beneficial for community members and representative leaders. This tool can be demonstrated to those outside of the law enforcement profession so they may run through scenarios like law enforcement professionals and make decisions while receiving feedback from the scenario and instructors. 

The Axon VR Training Platform will enhance the training capabilities of FPD officers. The training that AXON has developed will greatly improve FPD service to those community members that may not often be encountered by FPD, but who more often than not need FPD intervention the most. Course work and classroom settings can only provide theories of responses or potential outcomes; whereas this AXON VR Training Platform is capable of putting officers through scenarios (created by behavioral professionals) and providing real time evaluations of the officer’s responses. This immediate evaluation will then help to identify areas of improvement and deficiencies in the response, while in a controlled setting.

Also, the AXON VR Training Platform marries with FPD current devices which will afford FPD great support and the opportunity to be fiscally responsible to the community as opposed to purchasing an entirely new platform with a minimum monthly cost of $32,000 which would be in addition to the Taser 7 non-lethal device. For the $25,200 per year, FPD will receive 120 user licenses for the AXON VR Training Platform, five (5) VR headsets and two (2) VR Handsets, training cartridges, and tablet.

The procurement team has determined that the AXON VR Training Platform is a sole source purchase based on its compatibility with current software and equipment. For example, the AXON Evidence Cloud based storage allows for fluidity for all to access back information for all officers.

1. The AXON VR Training Platform is capable of putting officers through scenarios (created by behavioral professionals) and providing real time evaluations of the officer’s responses.
2. The AXON VR Training Platform devices marry with current devices and contracts of the FPD.
3. The AXON VR Training Platform devices are not only scenario based law enforcement training capable, but also positive community engagement tools.
4. The cost for the AXON Training Platform also includes any and all modules AXON creates and releases over the next five (5) years.

The current Master Services and Purchasing Agreement with AXON is spread out into payments over five (5) years. The City is currently in year two (2) of that Agreement. To implement the AXON VR Training Platform into the current Agreement would cost $17.50 per user, per month, for a total of $126,000 total payable over 5 years. The cost breakdown is as follows: $17.50x120 users = $2,100 per month, times 12 months = $25,200 per year, times 5 years = $126,000 total. This would add $25,200 per year to the current Agreement. This cost also includes any and all modules AXON creates and releases over that five (5) year period.

FPD values customer service and citizen trust. The AXON VR Training Platform can be demonstrated to those outside of the law enforcement profession so they may run through scenarios like law enforcement professionals and make decisions while receiving feedback from the scenario and instructors. When training in real world scenarios created by professionals in these fields, a greater understanding of what a person in crisis is experiencing will vastly increase the outcome of a successful resolution; and better equip the officers with a greater understanding to help in decision-making.