Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance authorizes a contract for the purchase of Conducted Electrical Weapons (CEWs) and associated supplies from Vance's Outdoor Inc., for the Division of Police in the amount of $199,862.13. This ordinance also waives competitive bidding. The Department of Public Safety, Division of Police needs to establish a contract for the purchase of replacement CEWs and ancillary supplies and warranties because a significant portion of the current 435 CEWs used by Police are either out of certification or soon will be. The last major purchase of CEWs in the Division of Police was in 2004. The Division of Police believes that only the CEW manufactured by Taser International Inc., is acceptable due to street use, training, certification, and re-certification required for all police officers. There is only one supplier in the Ohio area authorized to sell tasers, cartridges, warranty and accessories. Taser International has stated that the only authorized dealer in Ohio is Vance's Outdoors Inc. Therefore, this ordinance requests a waiver of competitive bidding. Anothercompnay does manufacture a CEW but the Police Division does not believe it is suitable for its needs. This other product, produced by Karbon Arms, has been tested by Division of Police personnel, and has been determined to not operate in a manner acceptable to those trained in its use. Therefore, the Division recommends that it is in the City's best interest to waive the competitive bidding provisions of the City Code to allow for this purchase.
The Division of Police is requesting that the Director of Finance and Management enter into contract for the purchase of replacement CEWs, CEW cartridges, CEW holsters, and CEW warranties in the amount of $199,862.13 from Vance's Outdoors Inc. This ordinance also appropriates funds in the Safety Initiative Fund in order to process this purchase.
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