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APPROVE MOTION TO EXECUTE A FIVE-YEAR AGREEMENT WITH AXON ENTERPRISE, INC. FOR BODY-WORN CAMERAS, TASER PROGRAM, DIGITAL EVIDENCE SOFTWARE & SERVICES, AND RELATED TRAINING AND SUPPORT IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $7,799,772.82
recommended action
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council approve a motion to:
1. Approve findings pursuant to Stockton Municipal Code (SMC) §3.68.070 supporting an exception to the competitive bidding process (sole source) for Axon body-worn camera and TASER systems and associated Axon software/services.
2. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute a five-year Master Services and Purchasing Agreement with Axon Enterprise, Inc. (Axon) to provide the Stockton Police Department (SPD) with body-worn cameras, TASER 10 devices and training, digital evidence storage and software, Interview Room system services, and deployment and training support, in an amount not to exceed $7,799,772.82; and
It is further recommended that the City Manager, or designee, be authorized and directed to make any and all expenditures and appropriations on behalf of the City as appropriate and necessary to carry out the purpose and intent of this motion.
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Summary
SPD seeks to modernize and unify its officer safety technology and digital evidence ecosystem through a five-year, bundled agreement with Axon (Attachment A). The package includes:
• 541 Body-Worn Cameras with GPS and livestreaming.
• 325 TASERS; including warranty and free upgrades from TASER 7 to TASER 10
• Axon Assistant: An AI-powered voice assistant integrated into the Body-Worn Cameras with real-time speech translation in over 50 languages.
• Community Request: A secure digital platform to collect evidence, such as photos and videos, from the public.
• Auto Tagging: Enhances efficiency, improves searchability, and reduces errors by ensuring evidence is tagged with critical information.
• Interview Rooms: Continuation of existing interview room services plus one Mobile Interview Room Kit.
• FUSUS Integration: Continuation of real-time crime center integration with all softwares provided by Axon.
• On-Site Deployment Support & Training for all Axon products.
This integrated approach streamlines operations, enhances transparency and officer safety, and standardizes training. The five-year cost is $7,799,772.82. The first two annual payments are $1,250,000 each and the three subsequent annual payments are $1,766,580.94 each.
DISCUSSION
Background
SPD has used Axon body-worn cameras and Tasers, along with Axon’s cloud-based evidence platform since 2017. Prior Council actions established and expanded these programs, including the body-worn camera system and the taser program, with findings supporting an exception to competitive bidding for Axon as the sole manufacturer and distributor of TASER’s model 7 and 10, and Axon body-worn camera products in the United States. Those findings also recognized the operational benefits of continuity within a unified hardware/software system.
Present Situation
To improve officer safety, program reliability, and evidentiary workflows, SPD proposes entering a five-year Axon bundle that provides:
1) Body-Worn Cameras & Docks: (541) Axon Body 4 (AB4) cameras and (68) 8-bay docks provided at no additional hardware cost under Axon’s TAP/refresh obligations from the prior contract, plus a small quantity of new AB4 cameras/docks as needed.
2) Officer Safety Plan 10 (OSP10) - (325) Bundles (BWC + TASER 10): Includes Pro Evidence licenses, Unlimited Axon device storage, full-term warranty, Axon Standards, Signal Sidearm auto-activation, device connectivity (GPS + livestreaming) for all BWCs, and TASER 10 Certification Plan with VR Skills Training.
3) Digital Evidence & AI Workflow Enhancements: Auto-Tagging (CAD/RMS integration), Community Request (public evidence portal), Unlimited 3rd-Party Storage (consolidates CCTV/other video), Axon Investigate (forensic video analysis), and Axon Assistant (AI features including real-time translation).
4) Interview Room Services: Continuation of existing interview room storage/services and a new Mobile Interview Room Kit to increase flexibility and reduce cost compared to a fully installed conventional room.
5) Deployment & Training Support: On-site professional services for both Axon Body (BWC) and TASER programs, including instructor courses and VR installation.
This scope consolidates platforms, simplifies lifecycle management, and maintains compatibility with established SPD systems. It also preserves the existing Axon FUSUS environment and user licenses through the term of the contract.
Findings
Pursuant to SMC section 3.68.070, Council may approve findings that support an exception to the competitive bidding process. These findings include:
1. Sole Manufacturer/Distributor: Axon is the sole manufacturer/distributor for TASER conducted energy weapon models and Axon body-worn cameras. Axon is the only distributor of Axon’s integrated software system in the United States. Maintaining Axon ensures continuity of hardware, software, data, and warranties.
2. Operational Necessity & Standardization: SPD’s officer-safety and transparency programs rely on Axon’s unified programs (Body-Worn Cameras, TASER’s, cloud evidence, auto-tagging, and public portals). Fragmenting the system increases training requirements and complicates chain-of-custody management.
3. Lifecycle & Warranty Alignment: Axon’s technology assurance plan (TAP) and warranty coverage with scheduled equipment replacements provide predictable costs and minimize downtime.
4. Cost Effectiveness: The bundled program reflects $2,910,013.98 in total savings compared to unbundled pricing.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
The proposed agreement spans five years, with a total cost of $7,799,772.82 (Attachment B), which includes all shipping and applicable taxes. The bundled pricing provides total savings of $2,910,013.98. The FY 2025-26 Annual Budget includes sufficient appropriation for Year 1 of the agreement in the Police Department’s General Fund and Special Revenue Fund accounts. Annual contract costs will be budgeted in the same account in the following fiscal years, to be approved by Council through the annual budget process. The table below outlines contract costs by year:
|
Year |
Annual Cost |
|
1 |
$1,250,000.00 |
|
2 |
$1,250,000.00 |
|
3 |
$1,766,590.94 |
|
4 |
$1,766,590.94 |
|
5 |
$1,766,590.94 |
|
Total |
$7,799,772.82 |
Attachment A - Master Services Agreement
Attachment B - Quote: Q-771226-45964BM