Title
Consider a memorandum/resolution authorizing the amendment of a ten-year purchase agreement with Axon Enterprise, Inc., for the procurement of TASERs and related equipment, by increasing the agreement in the amount of $585,224.64, divided among the remaining nine years of the agreement.
Summary
DATE: October 18, 2022
TO: Kent Cagle, City Manager
FROM: Charles F. Kimble, Chief of Police
SUBJECT: Amended TASER purchase for the Killeen Police Department
BACKGROUND AND FINDINGS:
The Killeen Police Department has purchased TASER Electronic Control Weapons (ECWs) from Axon Enterprise, Inc. for several years. Starting in fiscal year 2021-2022, the City entered into a ten-year purchase agreement with Axon for TASER devices, accessories, instructor training, and virtual reality (VR) training equipment. Axon is a member of the TASB BuyBoard purchasing cooperative. There are no viable competing products with the TASER and this agreement specifically is only available directly from Axon Enterprise, Inc. The original annual installment payment for this agreement was $170,000.00.
The original implementation plan made possible by this agreement was to outfit almost all officers assigned to uniformed duty positions with this force option, as well as some officers assigned to plainclothes positions based on case-by case justification. That original plan would also allow for some devices to be available in the city jail.
During fiscal year 2021-2022 the implementation plan was revised, with a new goal of outfitting all sworn employees at or below the rank of Commander with this less-than-lethal force option, as well as all jailers assigned to the city jail. This revised plan would allow all employees who might reasonably need such a tool to have it readily available. It would also simplify accountability of equipment and tracking TASER deployment by employee.
ECWs are essential issue items for uniformed police officers employees, including those assigned to the city jail. They allow for a vetted less lethal force option to control and subdue violent subjects and help mitigate the risk of injury both to the subject and department employees.
Previous fiscal year expenditures were $170,000, for the first annual installment payment of the original ten-year purchase agreement. Proposed expenses are $170,000 for the remaining nine years of that purchase agreement, plus an additional $65,024.90 per year for the additional equipment, for the next eight years of the remaining purchase agreement. The total annual cost for each of those years would be $235,024.90. The final year of the purchase agreement, the total proposed expense would increase slightly to $235,025.44.
Additional purchases might be needed in the future, as the police department grows and increases authorized positions. This could result in new purchase agreements or further amendments to this one.
THE ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED:
Pay the annual installment payment but deny the purchase of the additional equipment. This will make the department incapable of accomplishing the revised implementation plan.
Authorize the amended purchase agreement as proposed.
Which alternative is recommended? Why?
Staff recommends authorizing the execution of the amended purchase agreement as proposed.
CONFORMITY TO CITY POLICY:
This purchase conforms to City Policy and applicable laws
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
What is the amount of the expenditure in the current fiscal year? For future years?
The expenditures for the existing 10-year agreement are $170,000 per year thru FY 2031. The proposed amendment to the agreement will be an additional $65,025 per year, as shown below:
FY 2022: $170,000.00 (previous fiscal year)
FY 2023: $235,024.90 (current fiscal year)
FY 2024: $235,024.90
FY 2025: $235,024.90
FY 2026: $235,024.90
FY 2027: $235,024.90
FY 2028: $235,024.90
FY 2029: $235,024.90
FY 2030: $235,024.90
FY 2031: $235,025.44
Is this a one-time or recurring expenditure?
Recurring over ten years with nine years remaining
Is this expenditure budgeted?
Yes, funds are available in the General Fund Police Department account 010-6055-441-46.35.
If not, where will the money come from?
N/A
Is there a sufficient amount in the budgeted line-item for this expenditure?
Yes
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Manager or his designee be authorized to execute the described amended purchase agreement of the TASER 7 Cert with VR package from Axon Enterprise, Inc. through the TASB BuyBoard (Contract # 603-20) increasing the agreement by $585,224.64, divided among the remaining nine years of the agreement, and any change orders as authorized by law.
DEPARTMENTAL CLEARANCES:
Purchasing
Finance
Legal
ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
Original Agreement
Agreement Amendment
Certificate of Interested Parties