 |
AGENDA ITEM NO. 14.
CITY OF HAWTHORNE City Council AGENDA BILL For the meeting of 01/28/2025 Originating Department: Police Department |
City Manager:
Department Head:
SUBJECT:
Aerodome change order for drone dock and radar system for Drone First Responder (DFR) in the amount of $175,550.00, and $67,600.00 for services provided by NASTEC International, Inc.
RECOMMENDED MOTION:
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the Aerodome Change Order in the amount of $175,550.00; and
Approval and also appropriation of a BPO not to exceed $67,600.00 for Nastec International, Inc from the specified asset forfeiture account for the Police Department’s Drone as a First Responder program.
Approval and also appropriation of a BPO not to exceed $67,600.00 for Nastec International, Inc from the specified asset forfeiture account for the Police Department’s Drone as a First Responder program.
DISCUSSION:
The Hawthorne Police Department introduced its Drone as a First Responder (DFR) Unit in April 2024, marking a significant enhancement to community service. To further expand this capability, the department has invested in a docking and radar system from Aerodome. These systems require an additional expenditure of $175,550.00. This amount was already budgeted for FY 24/25. This acquisition is pivotal in obtaining the necessary Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) waivers, which will enable the DFR program to operate autonomously, without the need for a visual observer. Upon securing these waivers, the DFR program will be available for deployment 24/7, representing a substantial increase from its current 40 hours of operation per week.
By transitioning to autonomous operation, the Police Department anticipates eliminating the annual cost of approximately $135,000 associated with employing a visual observer. In the interim, to ensure uninterrupted service, the department is requesting an additional $67,600 to extend its contract with NASTEC International, Inc. for six months, covering the continued provision of visual observer services until the FAA waivers are obtained.
By transitioning to autonomous operation, the Police Department anticipates eliminating the annual cost of approximately $135,000 associated with employing a visual observer. In the interim, to ensure uninterrupted service, the department is requesting an additional $67,600 to extend its contract with NASTEC International, Inc. for six months, covering the continued provision of visual observer services until the FAA waivers are obtained.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIC PLAN:
Improve development processing and customer service operations
FISCAL IMPACT:
No new impact to General Fund as the cost for Aerodome was budgeted for FY 24/25 and the $67,600 for NASTEC contract will be paid from the Asset Forfeiture Fund. Upon approval by FAA, an estimated annual savings of $135,000.
NOTICING PROCEDURE:
72 hours posted notice pursuant to the Ralph M. Brown Act.