Title
Replace Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Helicopter
Action
Action:
A. Approve the purchase of a Bell 407 GXi Helicopter by the sole source exemption,
B. Adopt a resolution authorizing the exchange of Helicopter N406PD between the City of Charlotte and Bell Textron, Inc, and
C. Authorize the City Manager to approve a contract with Bell Textron, Inc. for the purchase of a Bell 407 GXi Helicopter.
Body
Staff Resource(s):
Johnny Jennings, Police
Tonya Arrington, Police
Dave Johnson, 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 this product is only available through one distributor in North Carolina and provides seamless integration with existing equipment.
* City Council approval is required for any purchases made under the sole source exception.
Explanation
* A helicopter enhances the goals of public safety through missing person searches, search and rescue, emergency medical evacuations, vehicle and foot pursuits, suspect searches, critical incidents, and command and control functions including live video and aerial photography.
* This helicopter will be purchased as a replacement for one of the three current Bell helicopters deployed by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department's Aviation Unit.
* Helicopter N406PD will be used as a partial exchange for the new helicopter, reducing the sale price by $1,375,000.
* Public Notice of the exchange was published on the city's website on June 30, 2023.
* The total cost of the new helicopter is estimated at $6,629,861. With the exchange, the actual expenditure is estimated to be $5,254,861.
Charlotte Business INClusion
This is a sole source contract and is exemp...
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