Title
Use of Federal Law Enforcement Contraband Forfeiture Trust Funds (LECFTF) for Joint Aviation Unit Program
Explanation
On July 8, 1996 the City Commission approved the Interagency Agreement for a Joint Aviation Unit (JAU) between the Alachua County Sheriff's Office and the Gainesville Police Department. The JAU has been in full operation since that time and is currently being housed at a hangar located at the Gainesville Regional Airport. The agreement allows for each agency to fund and equip their respective helicopters and retain ownership. Though some unit costs are jointly shared, the expenses pertaining to the individual helicopter equipment are being paid by the respective agency.
The Gainesville Police Department helicopter is currently equipped with a searchlight only. This greatly limits the capability of the helicopter and the crew in locating suspects or missing persons at night. Inframetrics has offered the Gainesville Police Department the opportunity to purchase a thermal imager at a greatly reduced cost. The thermal imager will provide the capability to identify objects or persons at nighttime. The thermal imager is able to pick up the heat difference between objects on the ground with a temperature difference of approximately one-degree and display this image on a monitor that will be mounted in the cockpit of the helicopter. Three competitive bids were obtained, with Inframetrics, Inc. recommended for the award. Inframetrics was selected even though they were not the low bidder due to the difference in age of the equipment and warranty. The Inframetrics equipment is three (3) years old with a six month warranty. The low bidder's equipment is eight (8) years old and sold as is. The bids are on file in the City's Purchasing Division and are available for review.
Fiscal Note
Funds for this $44,650 expenditure are available in the Federal Law Enforcement Contraband Forfeiture Trust Fund and are allowable per Federal 2...
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