Title
MPH Industries Dual Antenna Radar Packages
Action
Action:
A. Approve the purchase of dual antenna radar packages authorized by the sole source exemption of G.S. 143-129 (e)(6),
B. Approve a contract with MPH Industries for the purchase of dual antenna radar packages for the initial term of one year, and
C. Authorize the City Manager to renew the contract for up to three, one-year terms with possible price adjustments and to amend the contract consistent with the City’s business needs and the purpose for which the contact was approved.
Body
Staff Resource(s):
Kerr Putney, Police
Jeff Estes, Police
David Sloan, Police
Sole Source Exemption
§ G.S. 143-129 (e) (6) provides that formal bidding requirements do not apply when:
- Performance or price competition are not available;
- A needed product is available from only one source or supply; or
- Standardization or compatibility is the overriding consideration.
§ Sole sourcing is necessary for this contract because there is only one supply source.
§ The City Council must approve purchases made under the sole source exception.
Explanation
§ Dual antenna radar units are used in police vehicles to help enforce speed limit laws while the officer is driving or parked.
§ On June 1, 2017, due to changes in state standards, the state of North Carolina will no longer approve the use of the Python II radar units that the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) currently uses.
§ CMPD has over 100 Python II radar units that need to be replaced by May 31, 2017.
§ CMPD has evaluated various radar units in the last few years and determined that BEE III Ka-Band dual antenna radar packages best meets the State’s requirement and CMPD’s needs in terms of cost, size, ease of use, and feasibility.
§ CMPD currently has more than 40 BEE III radar units in use and the majority of CMPD’s patrol officers are already trained on using this equipment.
§ The company will be paid $1,899 per package, which includes the BEE III Ka-Band dual antenna radar unit, accessories, and three-year limited factory warranty.
§ Annual expenditures under the contract are estimated to be $153,000, of which $141,000 will be funded by Police Asset Forfeiture funds and $12,000 by the North Carolina Highway Governor’s Safety Grant.
§ Law enforcement agencies may use asset forfeiture funds for purposes, such as law enforcement operations and investigations, law enforcement training and education, or law enforcement equipment.
Charlotte Business INClusion
This is a sole source contract and is exempt (Part A: Appendix 27 of the Charlotte Business INClusion Policy).
Fiscal Note
Funding: Police Asset Forfeiture Funds ($141,000) and North Carolina Governor’s Highway Safety Program Grant ($12,000)