To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: JOE HOFFMAN, CHIEF OF POLICE
TITLE
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APPROVE AN AGREEMENT WITH AERODOME, INC. FOR UNMANNED AERIAL SUPPORT SERVICES FOR AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $180,000 FOR THE TERM OCTOBER 1, 2024 TO JUNE 30, 2025 AND TWO ADDITIONAL ONE-YEAR TERMS, FOR AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $275,000 ANNUALLY, IF AERODOME IS ABLE TO SECURE THE FAA WAIVER NEEDED TO ALLOW FOR ADVANCED DRONE OPERATIONS
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Police Department conducted a Request for Information (RFI) process for Law Enforcement Drone services in May and June of 2024. After evaluating the service options provided by six RFI respondents, the Police Department selected Aerodome, Inc. to continue its Drone as a First Responder (DFR) program. Aerodome was chosen for its innovative features, platform performance, cost efficiency, and commitment to securing FAA waivers for advanced operations. Aerodome's DFR program has delivered significant improvements in operational capability for the Police Department while enhancing response efficiency by leveraging advanced unmanned aerial support (UAS) technology.
BACKGROUND
The Police Department has utilized UAS drones for law enforcement since April 2017, logging thousands of successful flights. In an effort to continue to provide the best service within the available budgetary resources, an RFI was published on April 30, 2024, and closed on May 24, 2024 resulting in responses from six vendors: Motorola Solutions, Inc., Skydio, Inc., BRINC Drones, Inc., 3XTHESHOOTER PHOTOGRAPHY, Axon Enterprises, Inc., and Aerodome, Inc. After evaluating the submittals, Aerodome was selected based on its advanced technological offerings and cost efficiency. Aerodome provides superior capabilities and proven platform performance at a lower cost than comparable firms.
The RFI outlined specific performance measures and functionalities expected from the UAS solutions with the eventual goal of automated flight operations. Aerodome excell...
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