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Council
Communication

Office of the City Manager

 
 

Date

November 09, 2009

 

Agenda Item No.        39B

Roll Call No.               09-

Communication No.   09-788

Submitted by: Judy Bradshaw, Chief of Police

 

 

 

AGENDA HEADING:

 

Purchase of the ICOR Technology, 5459 Canotek Road, Unit 1 Ottawa, Ontario K1J9M3,  MK3 - Caliber EOD Robot for use by the Des Moines Bomb Squad as part of the 2008 Infrastructure Protection Grant Program - Buffer Zone Protection Program.

 

 

SYNOPSIS:

 

Recommend approval of the purchase of the MK3 - Caliber EOD Robot from ICOR Technology in the amount of $67,384.35. 

 

 

FISCAL IMPACT:

 

Amount: $67,384.35

 

Funding Source:  City of Des Moines FY 09-10 Operating Budget, POL9852322 (2008-BZ-T8-0004).  The grants were received after the budget document was printed.

 

This purchase is part of the equipment acquisitions approved by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management in the 2008 Infrastructure Protection Grant Program - Buffer Zone Protection Program, which authorized expenditures totaling $93,350 dollars.

 

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

 

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division identified key assets and critical infrastructure of national significance, in accordance with the federal Buffer Zone Protection Program criteria. The Des Moines Police Department participated in the preparation of two Buffer Zone Protection Plans for the sites identified by U.S. Department of Homeland Security in the Des Moines area.

 

The ICOR Technology MK3 - Caliber EOD Robot is part of the equipment acquisitions identified in the Vulnerability Reduction Purchasing Plan and approved for purchase by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management, from the federal Approved Equipment List (AEL). 

 

Review of the MK3’s construction features revealed several advantages over its closest competitor. The MK3 presents a lower height profile then its competitor giving it more remote accessibility to confined spaces. It supports additional cameras giving the main mast the ability to fold down and still remain operational. The MK3 also has a lift capacity which is more than double the capacity of its competitor. The MK3 supports an anti-tumble system which allows it to climb steep angled obstacles like stairways. Its tracking system allows the MK3 to propel itself through snow and mud which would disable the alternative machine. It is critical to note, the MK3 meets all FBI standards for robotics capabilities for large vehicle bomb improvised explosive devices (LVBIED) that the other robots reviewed did not meet.

 

The Procurement Administrator and the Des Moines Police Department determined the MK3 - Caliber EOD Robot is only available from ICOR Technology who is the manufacturer and sole world-wide distributor.

 

 

After reviewing the Police Chief’s request to bid this equipment, it was determined by the Procurement Administrator of the Finance Department that it was in the best interest of the City to purchase this equipment from the manufacturer and sole worldwide distributor of the product.

 

This is in compliance with Municipal Code Section 2-726(a)(7) that provides for non-competitive procurement  of goods and/or services that are of such a nature that they are the only goods and/or services which will fit and comply with the required use, or are an integral part of a total system so as to be uniquely compatible with existing city need, materials or equipment to be cost effective.

 

 

PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION(S):

 

Date: June 08, 2009

 

Roll Call Number:  09-999

 

Action:              Acceptance of Grant Agreements from Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division for 2008 Buffer Zone Protection Program and Vulnerability Reduction Purchasing Plan.  (Council Communication No.  09-382) Moved by Vlassis to adopt.  Refer to City Manager, Legal and Police to review oversight of homeland security programs and communication to Council.  Motion Carried 7-0.

 

 

BOARD/COMMISSION ACTION(S): NONE

 

 

ANTICIPATED ACTIONS AND FUTURE COMMITMENTS:

 

The Police Department will coordinate equipment purchases with Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division and the City of Des Moines Finance Department in accordance with the City of Des Moines purchasing policies and ordinance. 

 

The Police Department will receive and inventory the equipment, submit documentation and report activities to Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division and the Finance Department, to facilitate payment of vendors and support grant audit requirements.

 

 

 

For more information on this and other agenda items, please call the City Clerk’s Office at 515-283-4209 or visit the Clerk’s Office on the second floor of City Hall, 400 Robert D. Ray Drive.  Council agendas are available to the public at the City Clerk’s Office on Thursday afternoon preceding Monday’s Council meeting. Citizens can also request to receive meeting notices and agendas by email by calling the Clerk’s Office or sending their request via email to cityclerk@dmgov.org.