Title
Federal Law Enforcement Contraband Forfeiture Trust Fund Funding for Thermal Imager for GPD Helicopter (B)
Explanation
GPD participates in the Joint Aviation Unit with the Alachua County Sheriff's Office (ACSO) and has operated a military surplus helicopter for the past twelve (12) years. When GPD's first helicopter was obtained, an Inframetrics Mark-I Thermal Imager was purchased in order to locate criminal suspects and missing persons by use of body heat. The Inframetrics Mark-I is 15 years old and is no longer functional, and replacement parts are no longer being manufactured to keep it in service. In GPD's fight against in-progress violent crime and property crime, the Thermal Imager is a necessary tool for the Joint Aviation Unit, especially during night operations.
The purchase price for a FLIR Systems Ultra 8000 with Laser Pointer, Meeker Isolation Collar and installation costs is $201,250. Features of the Ultra 8000 include high resolution digital infrared imaging, daytime color camera, 10:1 continuous zoom, rugged controller, small size, and less weight. The Ultra 8000 also has an infrared laser, which allows the pilot and flight officer to see where the infrared imager is pointed on the ground at night through their helmet-worn night vision goggles. This feature greatly improves their ability to locate criminal suspects and missing persons and coordinate aviation response with ground officers. The Meeker Isolation Collar dramatically increases image quality by reducing airframe vibration transferred to the Thermal Imager and is required by FLIR for installation. Installation costs are being allotted to purchase any additional wiring or metalwork that may be needed to install the FLIR and monitor (monitor is being purchased separately).
Vendor Source Selection: FLIR Systems, Inc., manufactures Thermal Imagers for law enforcement, the military, and civilian users. The Thermal Imager on the Alachua County Sheriff's Office helicopters are both manufactured by FLIR Systems, Inc. Joint Aviation Unit Tactical Flight Officers (TFOs) have already received training on how to operate FLIR Systems, Inc., equipment, and purchase of a FLIR Systems Ultra 8000 will maintain operational consistency on all Joint Aviation Unit aircraft. Through previous Homeland Security grants in the Florida Department of Law Enforcement's Region III, all helicopters in this region are equipped with the FLIR Systems Ultra 8000. GPD's purchase of the FLIR Systems Ultra 8000 will increase inter-operability with regional flight crews in large-scale emergency responses. Additionally, the Joint Aviation Unit Maintenance Technician has been trained to install the FLIR Ultra 8000, which will eliminate significant installation costs with a private vendor. Therefore, staff is requesting commission approval to purchase the FLIR Systems Ultra 8000 with Laser Pointer and designate FLIR Systems, Inc., as the specified source for this purchase. Additionally, FLIR Systems requires the purchase of the Meeker Isolation Collar for mounting the Ultra 8000 to the helicopter in order to minimize vibration. Staff is requesting approval to purchase the Meeker Isolation Collar and designate Meeker Aviation as the specified source for this purchase.
The Public Safety Committee approved this expenditure at its January 10, 2008 meeting.
Fiscal Note
Funds in the amount of $201,250 for this expenditure are available in the Federal Law Enforcement Contraband Forfeiture Trust Fund and is allowable per Federal 21 U.S.C. ยง 881, found in the U.S. Department of Justice "A Guide to Equitable Sharing of Federally Forfeited Property for State and Local Law Enforcement Agencies." The balance in this account is $1,174,759.19
Recommendation
The City Commission approve the appropriation of $201,250 from the Federal Law Enforcement Contraband Forfeiture Trust Fund for the purchase of a FLIR Systems Ultra 8000 Thermal Imager with Laser Pointer and Meeker Isolation Collar and installation costs and designate FLIR Systems, Inc., as the specified source for the Thermal Imager with Laser Pointer and designate Meeker Aviation as the specified source for the Isolation Collar.
Alternative Recommendation A: The City Commission disapprove the funds for the purchase of a Thermal Imager for GPD's helicopter, which make GPD's helicopter ineffective in locating criminal suspects or missing persons at night and limit the capabilities of the Joint Aviation Unit as a whole.
Alternative Recommendation B: None.