Title
Police Helicopter Searchlight and Control Box
Action
Action:
A. Approve the purchase of a Searchlight and Control Box, for each of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department's (CMPD) two helicopters as authorized by the sole source exemption of G.S. 143-129 (e)(6),
B. Approve a contract with Spectrolab for the purchase of a Helicopter Searchlight and control box for the term of one year, and
C. Authorize the City Manager to renew the contract for up to two, one-year renewal terms with possible price adjustments and to amend the contract consistent with the purpose for which the contract was approved.
Body
Staff Resource(s):
Kerr Putney, Police
Steven Brochu, Police
Kenneth Anderson, 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 the requested product is essential in maintaining standardization, and the use of another product would require considerable time and money to implement and evaluate.
* The City Council must approve purchases made under the sole source exception.
Explanation
* Spectrolab searchlights have been operational on CMPD helicopters for 10 years and are in need of replacement to comply with the most current aviation technology.
* CMPD has recently upgraded its two helicopters with the most recent model of Aerocomputers, which work seamlessly with the Spectrolab searchlights to operate as one coordinated system.
* Spectrolab searchlights are the only one of its kind designed specifically to operate with Aerocomputers.
* Together, the system works to reduce flight crew fatigue, increase operational capabilities, and reduce the requirement of multiple controllers in the aircraft.
* Expenditures under the contract are estimated ...
Click here for full text