Title
Andros Spartan Robot Products and Services
Action
Action:
A. Approve the purchase of Andros Spartan Hazardous Robot Products and Services by the sole source exemption,
B. Approve a contract with Remotec, Inc. for the purchase of Andros Spartan Hazardous Robot Products and Services for the term of five years, and
C. Authorize the City Manager to amend the contract consistent with the purpose for which the contract was approved.
Body
Staff Resource(s):
Johnny Jennings, Police
David Johnson, Police
Johnathon Thomas, Police
Sole Source Exemption
§ NC General Statute Section 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 needed product is available from only one source or supply and standardization or compatibility is the overriding consideration.
§ City Council approval is required for any purchases made under the sole source exception.
Explanation
§ The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD)’s Bomb Squad has utilized Andros Spartan Robots for several decades and utilizes this same robotics platform for all certification and re-certification courses for bomb technicians.
§ The Andros Spartan Robot is the primary platform used by squads for certification and recertification school courses.
§ The Andros Spartan Robot includes a new state-of-the-art manipulating and 360 degree articulating arm, which is not available with any other product on the market currently.
§ The Andros Spartan Robot is built on the same chassis as the current CMPD robots, which supports continuity of operations and ease of training and acclimation for bomb technicians.
§ CMPD anticipates the purchase of one to two robots over the five-year term, at a cost of approximately $290,000 each, which includes shipping, an extended warranty, and facilitation of onsite training courses.
§ The Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) Grant program, which provides funding to aid in the prevention, protection, response, and recovery from terrorist attacks, is providing support for this project.
Charlotte Business INClusion
This is a sole source contract and is exempt (Part A: Appendix 1.27 of the Charlotte Business INClusion Policy).
Fiscal Note
Funding: General Grants Fund