SR 05-24-2016 3M
City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: May 24, 2016
Agenda Item: 3.M
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Jacqueline Seabrooks, Police Chief, Police Department
Subject: Purchase of Tasers for the Police Department
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the Purchasing Services Manager to
issue a purchase order with Proforce Law Enforcement, an Arizona-based company, for
the purchase of Taser Model X26P. This recommended award is made as an exception
to the competitive bidding process pursuant to Section 2.24.080(d) and is for a total
amount not to exceed $232,585.18.
Executive Summary
The Santa Monica Police Department currently utilizes the Taser model X26
manufactured by Taser International and distributed through the sole source distributor
for Southern California, ProForce Law Enforcement. The Taser X26 is a conductive
energy device which is a self-defense tool relied upon by officers to overcome the
resistance presented by violent, combative subjects. Because the
current X26 Taser inventory is well beyond its expected lifespan, the equipment is no
longer serviced by Taser International, thereby rendering any units requiring
maintenance or software updates unusable. The Taser X26 has been discontinued and
replaced by the more technologically advanced model X26P.
Given the age of and increasing numbers of inoperable Taser X26 units currently in the
taff recommends the award of a purchase order in an
amount not to exceed $232,585.18 to Proforce Law Enforcement; the awarding of this
purchase order is an exception to the competitive bidding process articulated in Santa
Monica Municipal Code Section 2.24.080(d); competition does not exist because only
one vendor possesses the unique ability or capability to meet the particular
requirements of the solicitation, such as a good or service that is copyrighted, patented
or otherwise only available from one license holder.
Background
In 2003, the Santa Monica Police Department purchased the first of many Taser X26
devices. This equipment provides officers with a less-lethal option which can be
deployed in order to subdue violently resistive subjects while minimizing the injury
potential for officers and the involved subject. This conductive energy device has
proven to be highly effective in stopping even the most focused and aggressive
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subjects. officers with Taser X26 equipment, the
number of officer injuries associated with violent encounters has been substantially
reduced. Importantly, the number of injuries to violent and resistive suspects has also
substantially decreased.
Taser International, an Arizona-based company, is the only company that manufactures
a consistently reliable, time-tested, conductive energy device. As a result, the Taser
product line is that most often utilized by contemporary law enforcement organizations.
Recent advancements in the technology associated with conductive energy devices
include the incorporation of internal monitoring and auditing functions and video capture
capability. Deployment information such as the date, time, internal temperature, and
duration of each discharge ata
portal; for risk management purposes, this information can be essential when
conducting post-deployment reviews.
In July 2006, July 2007, September 2011, and
authorized the sole source purchase of Tasers from Proforce Law Enforcement,
sole distributor for Taser International. In April 2013, the City
Ma-year sole source option for the purchase of Tasers.
Discussion
Conductive energy devices have long been considered a vital tool in preventing and de-
escalating violent physical encounters. The Police Department has successfully relied
upon the Taser Model X26 during encounters with violent and potentially violent
individuals with the result being less severe or minimal injuries to the involved officers
and subjects than would have been the case had the Taser not been deployed. A
conductive energy device is controlled and regulated by a microprocessor which
delivers a low grade shock which is generally sufficient to disrupt the behavior of
violently resistive individuals thereby enabling them to be taken into custody.
In order to be consistently effective, conductive energy devices require routine
maintenance, battery recharging/replacement, software updates, and data downloads
supported by consistent training and comprehensive usage policies. As the
ory has aged, replacement parts have become more difficult to
locate, and service/repair costs may exceed the value of device replacement. The
Taser X26 currently in use in the Police Department has exceeded its functional service
expectancy; a significant number of Tasers are currently inoperable. Because of the
age of the existing equipment, Taser International no longer provides service,
maintenance, software updates, or replacement parts for the X26.
Although there are various conductive energy devices in the marketplace, these devices
require the device to be in direct contact with the target subject. Taser International is
the only manufacturer of a conductive energy device which enables both direct contact
and the valuable ability to deploy the device from a distance of up to 15 feet from the
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target subject. This distance has the potential to provide an enhanced safety zone for
the officer when he/she is interacting with a violently resistive subject.
Staff recommends replacing all of the PoX26
models with the new and updated X26P model, the most current device offered by
Taser International, and distributed by Proforce Law Enforcement.
Vendor/Consultant Selection
Staff recommends Proforce Law Enforcement provide and deliver the Model X26P
Tasers as an exception to the competitive bid process. The Taser X26P qualifies as an
item of the original equipment manufacturer and/or their authorized exclusive distributor
and meets the criteria of a proprietary purchase. The Taser X26P is a goods which is
copyrighted, patented, or otherwise only available from a license holder ProForce Law
Enforcement. The Santa Monica Police Department is receiving a volume discount for
the purchase of the replacement devices. Proforce Law Enforcement is the only
authorized Southern California distributor for Taser International.
Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
The purchase order to be awarded to Proforce Law Enforcement is for an amount not to
exceed $232,585.18. Funds are available in the FY 2016-17 expenditure control budget
in the Police Department. The purchase order will be charged to account
S010300.589000.
Prepared By:
Neela Patel, Senior Administrative Analyst
Approved Forwarded to Council
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