r...From
Fred Bates, Jr.
Title
Purchase of a Skywatch Manned Mobile Surveillance System (Skywatch Tower) from FLIR Detection, Inc. at a cost of $138,692 through the General Services Administration (GSA) Cooperative Purchasing Program
Presenter
Chief Steve Dye, Police Department
Recommended Action
Approve
Analysis
The Grand Prairie Police Department’s pursuit to achieve the highest quality of life and the safest environment for the City’s citizens and visitors remains the overarching motivating factor for each proposed initiative. The purchase of a Skywatch Manned Mobile Surveillance System (Skywatch Tower) is consistent with this mission. The Skywatch Tower is a portable surveillance platform that can be positioned and repositioned to provide for the optimal observation of large areas throughout the City. This platform has simultaneously proven to act as a unique deterrence tool that provides a strategic and tactical public safety presence, thereby enhancing the Department’s previously stated goal of maintaining a safe environment for the City’s citizens and visitors. This Skywatch Tower will be utilized to enhance the continued progress of lowering the incidents of thefts and vehicular burglaries at and around area businesses. Additionally, it will be deployed at large venues such as the Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie, the Grand Prairie Premium Outlet Mall, and near other commercial developments and retail locations throughout the City.
The City currently has one already in operations and it has enhanced the Department's ability to lower the incidents of theft and vehicular burglaries around the area businesses, particularly high volume parking areas. It has acted as a deterrence tool by giving added public safety presence and finally, it has provided the Department with an optimal observation platform where large areas can be observed without the use of aircraft or private property.
In 2015, The City of Grand Prairie was awarded an Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) grant in the amount of $155,758.23. Of the funds awarded, $70,000 was allocated for the purchase of a Skywatch mobile surveillance tower. In addition to this $70,000 UASI Grant funding, the Police Department is also using $25,975.55 from the 2015 Justice Assistance Grant (JAG), and $42,716.45 from the Asset Forfeiture program to complete the funding for the tower.
Chapter 271.02 of the Local Government Code authorizes local governments to enter into joint contracts and cooperative purchasing agreements with other local governments or local cooperative organizations for the performance of government functions normally associated with the operation of government, such as purchasing of necessary materials, services and supplies. FLIR Detection, Inc. is an approved entity with the General Services Administration (GSA) Cooperative Purchasing Program.
Financial Consideration
Funding is available from the following sources: 2015 UASI Grant (63516014) 68360 for $70,000; 2015 JAG (10015032) 68360 for $25,975.55; and Federal Asset Forfeiture (285110) 68360 for $42,716.45.