Consideration and Approval of Contract: City of Flagstaff, Flagstaff Police Department and Virtra, Inc for a three-year subscription agreement for STEP Training Simulator services in the amount not to exceed $354,121.
 

1. Approve the 3-year STEP subscription contract with Virtra in the amount not to exceed $354,121
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary documents  

As part of the State of Arizona's Fiscal Year 2027 budget, Governor Katie Hobbs approved a state appropriation specifically for the Flagstaff Police Department to obtain a law enforcement training simulator. Staff recommends utilizing this appropriation to provide Flagstaff Police Department officers with a modern, immersive training platform that enhances the Department's ability to deliver realistic, repeatable, and measurable scenario-based training.

The Flagstaff Police Department proposes entering into a Subscription Training & Equipment Partnership (STEP) Agreement with VirTra, Inc. for a VirTra V-300 4K immersive training simulator. The V-300 utilizes five interconnected screens to create a 300-degree training environment and includes scenario-based and marksmanship training, multidirectional audio, TrackCam technology, and APEX data collection, analytics, and reporting capabilities.

The system also includes VirTra's Virtual Interactive Coursework and Training Academy (V-VICTA), which provides a structured, simulation-based training curriculum. V-VICTA includes instructor lesson plans, student materials, presentations, pre- and post-tests, course evaluations, and interactive video training materials. This combination of classroom instruction, immersive scenarios, performance assessment, and instructor-led debriefing will allow the Department to provide officers with consistent training and opportunities to practice critical decision-making skills in a controlled environment.

The proposed package includes simulation equipment for firearms and less-lethal systems, shotgun and 40mm platforms, and TASER 10 devices. The system also provides trainee monitoring and recording capabilities for real-time observation, recording, playback, and post-scenario debriefing.

The STEP Agreement provides an initial 12-month term with the ability to renew for additional 12-month periods, up to a total aggregate term of 36 months. The annual contract rate is $103,617.83 plus applicable taxes, with one-time initiation costs of $3,250 for shipping and handling and $8,500 for setup and training. The subscription also includes ongoing maintenance and technical support, including annual system servicing, software and scenario updates, recalibration, equipment inspection, parts and labor, replacement services, and technical assistance.

Acceptance of the state appropriation and authorization of the proposed agreement will allow the Flagstaff Police Department to leverage dedicated state funding to enhance officer training without relying solely on existing local resources for the acquisition. Staff recommends approval of the agreement and use of the FY 2027 State appropriation to provide Flagstaff police officers with a comprehensive simulator-based training program designed to strengthen decision-making, tactical proficiency, and overall preparedness.

Governor Hobbs approved this state appropriation of money through the state's FY 2027 budget for the Flagstaff Police Department to have a training simulator. Staff recommends allowing the Flagstaff Police Department to use the appropriation to provide our officers world-class simulator-based training. 
 

Project Name: Virtra Training Simulator for the Flagstaff Police Department
Cost: $354,121.14
Account Number: 001-04-062-6434-2-4343 with Budget Authority: 001-04-062-6278-2
FY Budgeted Amount:$354,000 
Grant Funded:$354,000 (State appropriation, SB1847)
Funding Source:Appropriation of State of Arizona 2026-27 budget. 

This is the first opportunity for the Flagstaff Police Department to obtain a Virtra training simulator so there is no prior council decision on this modern training product. 

Council may approve the VirTra STEP Agreement as recommended; decline to approve the agreement; or direct staff to evaluate alternative simulator-based training systems consistent with the requirements of the State appropriation and City procurement requirements.

The Flagstaff Police Department (FPD) is committed to providing officers with ongoing training that supports sound decision-making, effective communication, de-escalation, and the appropriate application of law enforcement tactics. Scenario-based training provides officers an opportunity to practice these skills in a controlled environment where instructors can observe performance, provide immediate feedback, and reinforce Department policy and training objectives.

The State of Arizona established the Peace Officer Training Equipment Fund to support the acquisition of training equipment for Arizona law enforcement agencies. Monies in the fund are subject to legislative appropriation and may be used for peace officer training equipment. The Peace Officer Training Equipment Fund Advisory Commission is responsible for making annual recommendations to the Governor and Legislature regarding allocation of these funds.

For FY 2026–2027, proposed state legislation specifically identifies an appropriation of $328,000 from the Peace Officer Training Equipment Fund to the Flagstaff Police Department for a public safety training simulator. The legislation also expresses the Legislature's intent that simulators funded through the appropriation be used to teach de-escalation tactics, including interactions with persons who are deaf or hard of hearing, persons with autism, and persons with mental illness.

To meet this training need, FPD evaluated the VirTra V-300 simulator. The proposed VirTra V-300 4K system uses five interconnected screens to provide a 300-degree immersive training environment. The system includes marksmanship and interactive video scenarios, multidirectional audio, TrackCam technology, and APEX data collection, analytics, and reporting capabilities.

The proposed system is designed to support more than traditional firearms proficiency training. The agreement includes VirTra's Virtual Interactive Coursework and Training Academy (V-VICTA), which provides structured training materials including instructor lesson plans, student outlines, presentations, pre- and post-tests, course evaluations, and interactive video learning materials. The simulator package also includes equipment allowing officers to train with simulated versions of firearms and less-lethal tools, including handguns, patrol rifles, TASER devices, OC spray, shotgun, and 40mm systems.

The simulator will allow FPD instructors to place officers in realistic, repeatable scenarios requiring them to assess rapidly evolving circumstances, communicate with subjects, consider de-escalation opportunities, select appropriate response options, and articulate their decision-making. The ability to replay and review officer performance will also provide instructors with an opportunity to conduct structured debriefings following training exercises.

Acquisition of the VirTra V-300 will allow FPD to utilize dedicated State funding to establish a comprehensive simulator-based training program and expand the Department's capacity to provide frequent, consistent, and measurable scenario-based training. The system will complement existing classroom, practical, firearms, and less-lethal training while providing officers additional opportunities to practice critical decision-making and de-escalation skills in a safe and controlled environment.

Procurement has reviewed and approved this purchase via sole source. 

 

Safe and Healthy Community: Provide public safety services with resources, staff, and training responsive to the community's needs; enhance community engagement and strengthen relationships between the community and public safety services; and provide and build upon alternative responses and community partnerships to best serve the mental and behavioral health needs of the community.

High Performing Governance: Be an inclusive employer of choice by providing employees with the necessary tools, training, and support; implement innovative and efficient local government programs and best practices; and maintain fiscal stability through strong financial policies and practices.

The VirTra V-300 advances these objectives by providing FPD personnel with immersive, scenario-based training in decision-making, communication, de-escalation, firearms, and less-lethal response options while utilizing dedicated State funding to enhance the Department's training capabilities.

The proposed VirTra V-300 training simulator supports the Regional Plan's emphasis on resilient public services and public safety by strengthening the Flagstaff Police Department's capacity to provide high-quality, prepared, and responsive law enforcement services. The simulator will provide officers with realistic scenario-based training focused on decision-making, communication, de-escalation, firearms, and less-lethal response options. The acquisition utilizes dedicated State funding to enhance officer preparedness and provide a sustainable training resource that supports the safety and resilience of the Flagstaff community.

The proposed VirTra V-300 training simulator has a secondary connection to the City's Carbon Neutrality Plan by expanding FPD's capacity to provide specialized scenario-based training locally. A locally available simulator may reduce employee travel to external training facilities and associated transportation emissions while providing a reusable platform for firearms, less-lethal, de-escalation, and decision-making training. The project therefore complements the City's broader goals of reducing transportation-related emissions, efficiently utilizing municipal resources, and strengthening community resilience.

The VirTra V-300 training simulator has a secondary connection to the City's 10-Year Housing Plan by enhancing FPD's ability to provide scenario-based training involving individuals experiencing homelessness, housing instability, behavioral health crises, and other vulnerable populations. While the simulator does not directly create or preserve housing, it can be used to reinforce communication, de-escalation, crisis intervention, and appropriate connection to community resources and service providers. This training supports the Housing Plan's broader emphasis on coordinated community responses to the complex and interconnected challenges associated with housing instability and homelessness.

This Virtra training simulator will allow us to better train our officers in a scenario-based setting which will better prepare them to de-escalate when faced with challenging community encounters. It will also allow the department to diversify and expand the types of training we provide our officers, and we will make this training available to police officers in the entire region.