HomeMy WebLinkAbout07. 21-541NOVEMBER 9, 2021 21-541 RESOLUTION
(CARRIED___6-0_____LOST________LAID OVER________WITHDRAWN________)
PURPOSE: APPROVE WAIVER OF PURCHASING REQUIREMENTS FOR
OFFICER TRAINING SIMULATOR FOR POLICE DEPARTMENT
INITIATED BY: CITY ADMINISTRATION
WHEREAS, the City of Oshkosh Municipal Code generally requires that all
purchases of services, supplies, materials and equipment in excess of $25,000 be
competitively bid unless such purchases meet one of the specific exceptions listed within
the Code; and
WHEREAS, the Oshkosh Police Department desires to purchase a comprehensive
virtual reality officer training system to supplement existing training programs; and
WHEREAS, the final purchase will be brought forward before Council for
approval and the project will be 100% funded through donor funds; and
WHEREAS, while such equipment may be subject to competitive bidding, the
Police Department believes that the process of utilizing a staff selection and specification
committee would be the best approach for this approved purchase to ensure that the
Police Department’s operational needs for this officer training simulator are addressed.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Common Council of the City of
Oshkosh that the request for waiver of the purchasing requirements of Section 12-10 of
the Oshkosh Municipal Code is hereby approved and the appropriate City officials are
hereby authorized to work with the Police Department Committee to review and select
an officer training simulator system that is best suited to the operational needs and
budgetary requirements of the Oshkosh Police Department.
City Hall, 215 Church Avenue P.O. Box 1130 Oshkosh, WI 54903-1130 http://www.ci.oshkosh.wi.us
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the Common Council
FROM: Jon Urben, General Services Manager
DATE: November 2, 2021
RE: Approve Waiver of Purchasing Requirements for Officer Training Simulator for Police
Department
BACKGROUND
The Police Department has been considering the implementation of a comprehensive virtual reality
officer training system to supplement existing training programs. These systems allow officers to use
immersive virtual reality environments to train in de-escalation, communication, use of force and officer
safety tactics. Due to the nature of these simulator training systems officers will train more frequently
but in shorter duration reducing the time they are removed from service. Studies have shown that more
frequent training results in an improved overall response by law enforcement. While the City of Oshkosh
Municipal code requires that all purchases, services, supplies, materials and equipment in excess of
$25,000 be competitively bid, due to the varied offerings of these training systems staff believes that the
process of utilizing a staff selection and specification committee would be a better approach for this
purchase to ensure that the Police Department’s operational needs for this officer training simulator are
addressed.
ANALYSIS
Staff has recommended the council waive the City Purchasing Policy to enact this approach.
FISCAL IMPACT
Once an officer training simulator system is selected and recommended, Purchasing will review the
purchasing options with the vendor to ensure the best price on the specific system is achieved. The final
purchase will then be brought forward before Council for approval. This project will be 100% funded
through donor funds.
RECOMMENDATION
We recommend that the Council waive the purchasing requirements of Section 12-10 of the Oshkosh
Municipal Code to allow a committee to review and select an officer training simulator system that is
best suited to the operational needs and budgetary requirements for the Police Department. Please direct
any questions on this matter to Police Chief Dean Smith.
Respectfully Submitted, Approved:
Jon G. Urben Mark A. Rohloff
General Services Manager City Manager