COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

SHERIFF’S OFFICE

DATE:

October 26, 2006

BOARD MEETING DATE:

November 7, 2006

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Sheriff Don Horsley, Office of Emergency Services Area Coordinator and Fiscal Officer of the Northern California Regional Terrorist Threat Assessment Center

SUBJECT:

Purchase of two (2) Surveillance Vans from Innovative Surveillance Technologies, Inc.

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a Resolution:

A.

waiving the Competitive Bid Process; and

B.

authorizing the Purchasing Agent to issue a purchase order for two (2) Surveillance Vans from Innovative Surveillance Technologies, Inc.

VISION ALIGNMENT:

Commitment: Ensure basic health and safety for all and Responsive, effective and collaborative government.

Goal(s):

The waiver of the competitive bidding process will be consistent with the commitment of making effective and collaborative government decisions. It will advance Goal No. 22, in that purchasing vans that are compatible with current surveillance vans will enable a strategic approach to an issue facing the entire County.

The authorization to purchase the vans will be consistent with the commitment of maintaining and enhancing the public safety of all residents and visitors, and will advance Goal No. 7, in that it will ensure basic health and safety for all by providing an integrated and effective surveillance system to detect and deter possible terrorist activity.

BACKGROUND:

The Homeland Security Appropriations Act provides funding for Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Programs (LETPP). On July 1 of 2004, the California Office of Homeland approved the funding for the Northern California Regional Terrorist Threat Assessment Center (RTTAC). The Sheriff serves as the fiscal officer and fiduciary for the RTTAC. The FY2004 grant authorizes the purchase of law enforcement surveillance equipment. The purchase of two surveillance vans is an authorized expenditure that will be designated for use as regional and County investigative equipment.

DISCUSSION:

The proposed purchase of the two surveillance vans from Innovative Surveillance Technologies, Inc. will enhance County and regional law enforcement agencies’ ability to collect information related to criminal suspects involved in the planning, preparation or support of terrorist acts. The surveillance vans will assist County and regional law enforcement agencies with the identification of terrorist suspects and prevention of criminal acts related to terrorism.

Innovative Surveillance Technologies designs, manufactures and supplies surveillance vans and equipment to the Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Defense, and other law enforcement agencies.

The vans are equipped with the most modern covert audio and video surveillance technologies and require maintenance by technicians qualified to maintain the equipment. The RTTAC currently has personnel that are trained and familiar with the use, maintenance and repair of Innovative Surveillance Technologies surveillance vans, thus greatly reducing training time for both technicians and end users. In addition, the purchase of Innovative Surveillance Technologies surveillance vans would allow the RTTAC to have standardization of video and audio cables as well as other peripherals that are interchangeable between the vans.

Innovative Surveillance Technologies is a recognized leader and one of the most well respected names in the surveillance van and equipment industry. Therefore, it would be in the best interest of the County to waive the Competitive Bid Process and authorize the purchase of two surveillance vans.

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

FISCAL IMPACT:

The cost of two Innovative Surveillance Technologies surveillance vans is $249,240.16, and is reimbursed by the Department of Homeland Security LETPP grant funds. Therefore, no net County cost is associated with this purchase.