Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Police Department

To:             David Corliss, City Manager

Tarik Khatib, Chief of Police

                   Captain Ray Urbanek

From:        Officer Adam Heffley

Date:                   March 17, 2011

Re:             March 29, 2011 City Commission Meeting

Please include the following item on the City Commission consent agenda for consideration at the March 29, 2011 meeting:

BACKGROUND

Five of the Lawrence Police Department’s mobile data computers need to be replaced. This request is for the purchase of five Motorola MW810 Mobile Data Computers and an additional monitor. The purchase would come from Topeka FM who is a sole-source vendor through State of Kansas contract #28440 for a total cost of $29,064.40.

DISCUSSION

Two of the installed mobile data computers needing replacement have completely shut down and are beyond repair. A third unit is showing the same failure signs and will follow suit soon.  The digital in-car video systems work in conjunction with the mobile data computers and due to the lack of operating MDCs in three Patrol vehicles, the video recording systems have been rendered inoperative.  We also currently have two other mobile data computer systems remaining from the previous generation of technology.  These units require replacement and will begin to experience the same failures as the previously mentioned three.  All of these mobile data computers have passed the city’s expected lifespan of three years for this type of equipment. 

FUNDING SOURCES

The necessary funds to cover the costs of replacing the mobile data computer workstations could be procured from the Equipment Reserve Fund. 

RECOMMENDATION

Police Department staff requests approval from the City Commission to authorize the purchase of five Motorola MW 810 Mobile Data Computers from Topeka FM as a sole source vendor through State of Kansas Contract #28440 for a total cost of $29,064.40.