COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

AREA OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES

DATE:

August 2, 2005

BOARD MEETING DATE:

September 13, 2005

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Sheriff Don Horsley, Office of Emergency Services Area Coordinator

SUBJECT:

Purchase of an Andros Mark V-A1 robot from Remotec, Inc. for use by the Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad.

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a Resolution:

A.

Waiving the Competitive Bid Process; and

B.

Authorizing the Purchase of an Andros Mark V-A1 robot from Remotec Inc.

VISION ALIGNMENT:

Commitment: Ensure basic health and safety for all.

Goal 7: Maintain and enhance the public safety of all residents and visitors.

The purchase of a new bomb robot will enhance the ability to prevent, deter, respond to and recover from threats and incidents of terrorist.

PERFORMANCE MEASURES:

Measure

FY 2004-05
Actual

FY 2005-06
Projected

Number of Bomb Squad high threat calls for service

65

60

Percent of emergency incidents responded to within one hour

98%

100%

BACKGROUND:

On May 17, 2005, your Board executed a Memorandum of Understanding with the City and County of San Francisco to distribute a portion of the Fiscal Year 2004 Urban Area Security Initiative (FY04 UASI) grant award to the Sheriff’s Area Office of Emergency Services (OES).

The OES, through partners in law enforcement, fire services, public works and public health, identified 11 projects in which the awarded funding would be utilized. Nine (9) of the 11 projects related to equipment purchases which will be designated as regional and County mutual aid equipment. A bomb robot was one of those authorized expenditures.

A bomb robot is a vital piece of safety equipment allowing bomb technicians to remove or neutralize potentially deadly improvised explosive devises from a safe distance. A robot is capable of lifting, carrying, dismantling, or destroying in place explosive devices that would otherwise kill a bomb technician even if protected by a bomb suit. Additionally, the robot can be used to take measurements and perform tasks in unknown environments that may be harmful to human life.

DISCUSSION:

The OES operates the only Bomb Squad in the County. This unit responds to every jurisdiction in the County and is on-call seven days a week. The Bomb Squad has been actively involved in the destruction of explosive materials gathering from all jurisdictions.

For more than ten years, the Bomb Squad has been using a Remotec Mini-Andros robot. The Mini-Andros has been instrumental in protecting lives and property on numerous occasions. However, its small size has necessitated operation beyond its design limits.

The increasing size and sophistication of improvised explosive devices will lead to a time when the Mini-Andros will be completely overwhelmed by the task it is called upon to perform. It is important that the Bomb Squad have the technical capability to meet this increasing challenge.

The proposed purchase of the Andros Mark V-A1 will provide the Bomb Squad with the vital safety equipment to allow technicians to remove or neutralize potentially deadly improvised explosive devises from safe distances. The Andros Mark V-A1 is a multi-functional mobile platform, capable of performing intricate tasks. Using its manipulator and cameras it is capable of locating and picking up objects as small as a coin or as heavy as one hundred pounds. It is capable of passing through a standard doorway and climbing stairs.

More than 600 Remotec Andros units are currently in service with police agencies, the FBI and US military. Remotec, Inc. is the only manufacturer currently building robots with the versatility and power to perform the tasks encountered by bomb technicians. Therefore, it would be in the best interest of the County to waive the Competitive Bid Process based on Remotec, Inc. being a sole source manufacturer of mobile robot systems for use in hazardous-duty operations.

County Counsel has reviewed and approved the Resolution as to legal form.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The cost of the Andros Mark V-A1 is $172,559, which includes delivery, taxes and training. Funding will be provided through the FY2004 UASI grant award. Therefore, there is no net County cost associated with this project.