DATE: June 5, 2018
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Margaret Mims, Sheriff-Coroner
SUBJECT: Budget Resolutions for the Purchase of License Plate Reader Systems
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Make a finding that it is in the best interest of the County to suspend the competitive bid process consistent with Administrative Policy No. 34 for unusual or extraordinary circumstances for compatibility reasons for the purchase of a Vigilant License Plate Reader Policing System;
2. Adopt Budget Resolution increasing the FY 2017-18 appropriations for Federal Asset Forfeiture Org 1459 in the amount of $80,000 (4/5 vote); and
3. Adopt Budget Resolution increasing the FY 2017-18 appropriations and estimated revenues for Sheriff-Coroner Org 3111 in the amount of $80,000 (4/5 vote) for purchase of Vigilant License Plate Reader Policing Systems.
REPORT
There is no additional Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions as Federal asset forfeiture funds will be utilized for the purchases. The requested three Vigilant License plate reader systems will improve officer safety and effectiveness by allowing officers access to a nationwide commercial database throughout the United States. The recommended actions will establish appropriations and estimated revenues in the appropriate accounts. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
There are no viable alternative actions. If the recommended actions are not approved by your Board, the equipment will not be purchased. This would result in lessening the ability to identify vehicles flagged by other law enforcement agencies to use during all criminal investigations including, but not limited to, violent crimes, illegal drug interdiction/sales, terrorist activities, and at-risk/missing persons cases.
SUSPENSION OF COMPETITION/SOLE SOURCE CONTRACT:
The department’s first recommended action requests to suspend the competitive bidding process consistent with Administrative Policy No. 34 as Stommel Inc. dba Lehr Auto Electric, dba Pursuit North, Auto Addition, Vigilant license plate reader system is the only system currently available that offers nationwide commercial database for law enforcement. Based on this, a letter of interest was not issued. The Internal Services Department - Purchasing concurs with the Department’s request to suspend the competitive bidding process.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. Approval of the second recommended action will increase the FY 2017-18 Operating Transfer Out appropriation in the Sheriff-Coroner’s Special Revenue Fund (SRF) Federal Asset Forfeiture Org (Org 1459) needed for the third recommended action Operating Transfer In to the Sheriff-Coroner operating budget (Org 3111) to purchase the license plate reader systems.
DISCUSSION:
Federal Asset Forfeiture monies are received from the Department of Justice and Department of Treasury from property seized during special narcotic investigations based on the Federal Equitable Sharing Agreement. The primary purpose of the Forfeiture program is for law enforcement to deter crime by depriving criminals of the profits and proceeds of their illegal activities and to weaken criminal enterprises by removing the instrumentalities of crime.
License plate readers are a tool that can quickly assist in drug enforcement, gang enforcement, criminal investigations, and in locating missing/at-risk citizens. The cameras capture license plates from all vehicles that drive by the cameras. The purchase includes three complete camera systems to install in either vehicles or mobile trailers. Also included in the purchase is the CarDetector software which immediately notifies the agency of a hit on any license plate we enter.
Vigilant is the only company that allows law enforcement access to a nationwide commercial database for license plates that are scanned by both law enforcement and private vendors. If a suspect flees the State of California, other law enforcement agencies who use the Vigilant system would be notified of a wanted vehicle if the license plate is captured by another Vigilant user and thus, possibly a known criminal associated with that vehicle. The State of California is currently working with Vigilant to install cameras on all major overpasses on interstates and freeways in California.
The vendor responsible for the installation will be Cook’s Communications. This is the only vendor authorized to install the equipment. The installation cost is included in the $80,000.
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
Suspension of Competition Acquisition Request Form
On file with Clerk - Resolution (Org 1459)
On file with Clerk - Resolution (Org 3111)
CAO ANALYST:
Jeannie Z. Figueroa