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APPROVE MOTION TO ADOPT STANDARD AGREEMENT AMENDMENT NO. 4 BETWEEN FLOCK GROUP INC. AND THE CITY OF STOCKTON IN AN AMOUNT OF $3,150,000 FOR THE ADDITION OF FLOCK DRONE AS FIRST RESPONDER SYSTEM
recommended action
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that City Council approve a motion to:
1. Approve findings pursuant to Stockton Municipal Code section 3.68.070 in support of an exception to the competitive bidding process; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to approve Standard Agreement Amendment No. 4 between Flock Group Inc. (Flock) and the City of Stockton (City), in the amount of $3,150,000 for the addition of the Flock Drone as First Responder (DFR) platform services, and extend the contract term through April 14, 2031.
It is further recommended that the City Manager, or designee, be authorized to take appropriate and necessary actions to carry out the purpose and intent of this motion.
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Summary
The Stockton Police Department (SPD) seeks to add the Drone as First Responder (DFR) platform from Flock, including hardware, software, FAA regulatory support, and subscription services to support the deployment and operation of six drones.
The DFR system will provide rapid aerial deployment to calls for service, enhance real time situational awareness, improve officer safety, and integrate with the existing Flock system currently used by SPD for investigative and evidence management. The amendment and the detailed quote are included as Attachment A.
Staff recommends that Council approve a contract amendment with Flock in the amount of $3,150,000 and extend the agreement term through April 14, 2031.
DISCUSSION
Background
In September 2023, the City executed a contract for 15 Flock License Plate Readers (LPR). The Flock LPR platform assists in generating investigative leads, solving criminal cases, and enhancing regional information sharing.
On November 19, 2024, the City Council approved Motion No. 2024-11-19-1211, authorizing Amendment No. 2 to increase the Flock contract by $1,196,700 for the addition of 105 LPR cameras throughout the City. Since implementation, the platform has continued to provide investigative leads, support violent crime investigations, and contribute to crime reduction efforts.
On June 26, 2025, the City executed Amendment No. 3, adding $95,000 and extending LPR services through June 30, 2027, bringing the total contract value to $2,266,700.
Given the demonstrated success of the LPR system and SPD’s continued need to maximize operational efficiency with an understaffed workforce, the SPD now seeks to introduce the flock DFR platform. DFR programs are becoming standard in law enforcement agencies nationwide. Implementing DFR will expand SPD’s technological capabilities by providing rapid aerial response and enhanced situational awareness, further strengthening public safety operations within the existing Flock operating system environment.
Present Situation
SPD continues to face staffing shortages while responding to increasing service demands. The deployment of six drones through Flock’s DFR 2.0 system will improve officer resource allocation and operational efficiency by:
• Reducing response times through rapid aerial deployment
• Enhancing situational awareness and decision making with real time intelligence
• Improving safety for officers and the public
The Flock proposal includes six DFR M4TD drones, Flock911 integration, FAA regulatory services, training, and a five-year subscription term.
The total contract cost for this DFR system is $3,150,000 over a 60-month term, with Year 1 costs of $390,000 and annual recurring costs of $690,000.
This integrated platform enables SPD to respond more effectively to priority incidents, strengthen perimeter containment, support suspect searches, and enhance officer safety without increasing staffing.
Staff requests Council approval of Amendment No. 4 to expand the Flock contract to include DFR platform services and extend the agreement through April 14, 2031.
Findings
Stockton Municipal Code section 3.68.070 provides for an exception to the competitive bidding requirements in cases wherein the City Council has made findings that support and justify the purchase via a cooperative purchasing agreement.
Findings to support the purchase are as follows:
1. Flock maintains proprietary rights to law enforcement specific technology that extends beyond traditional license plate recognition. Its platform integrates with systems utilized by partner agencies, facilitating regional information sharing and coordinated investigative efforts among law enforcement agencies.
2. There is a limited market of vendors that provide comparable public safety technology to government agencies with the demonstrated accuracy, reliability, and performance standards of the Flock LPR system.
3. Flock’s Drone as First Responder technology is proprietary and fully integrated within the existing Flock LPR and evidence management ecosystem currently utilized by SPD, ensuring system compatibility, operational continuity, and streamlined investigative workflows.
Flock provides law enforcement software products already utilized by the SPD; expanding the existing portfolio protects continuity of critical services.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
The proposed amendment will increase the contract by $3,150,000, resulting in a new not-to-exceed amount of $5,416,700, and extend the agreement term through April 14, 2031.
Year 1 costs total $390,000 at contract execution, with annual recurring costs of $690,000 for the remaining subscription term.
Funding for the first year will be supported by Board of State and Community Corrections grant funds that have already been awarded to SPD, supplemented by the SPD Field Services Division budget. Funding for subsequent years of the DFR program is anticipated to come from additional grant sources.
If grant funding or budget from SPD’s General Fund are not available in future years, SPD will need to request additional appropriations or pursue termination of the contract with Flock. The terms and conditions of the agreement allows for termination due to lack of appropriations, with no associated financial penalties.
Attachment A - Flock DFR Amendment No. 4 and Quote