Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Police Department

To:	David L. Corliss, City Manager
From:	James Welsh, Police Officer
Cc:	Tarik Khatib, Chief of Police
	Adam Heffley, Police Captain
Date:	January 23, 2014
Re:	January 28, 2014 City Commission Meeting

Please include the following item on the City Commission consent agenda for consideration at the January 28, 2014 meeting:

BACKGROUND

Nine of the Lawrence Police Department’s mobile data computers need to be replaced. We currently have approximately 17 mobile data computer units that are out of warranty, each no less than three years old. The purchase would come from Topeka FM who is a sole-source vendor through State of Kansas contract #28440 for a total cost of $41,242.50.

DISCUSSION

All of these mobile data computers have passed the city’s expected lifespan of three years for this type of equipment. Numerous recent hardware failures indicate the computer workstations are becoming increasingly unreliable. Our mobile data computers are critical communications components that enhance public safety by providing real time information to officers as they respond to calls for service. The mobile data computers being replaced currently run Windows XP, which reaches end of life on April 8, 2014, and are not equipped to run Windows 7 or Windows 8.

FUNDING SOURCES

The necessary funds to cover the costs of replacing the mobile data computer workstations could be procured from line item 001-2-2110-6205. This is the 2013 mill levy equipment line item provided for the department to address some equipment needs.

RECOMMENDATION

Police Department staff requests approval from the City Commission to authorize the purchase of nine Motorola MW810 Mobile Data Computers from Topeka FM as a sole source vendor through State of Kansas Contract #28440 for a total cost of $41,242.50.