The Police Department recommends the award of a purchase agreement with Motorola Solutions, Inc. for one hundred (100) APX N70 Portable Radios, along with the batteries, charging docks, antennas, and other necessary accessories. Motorola notified the Police Department that our current model APX 6000 portable radios, which have been in use for several years, will no longer be supported after the end of 2023. Additionally, this new generation radio offers many advanced features, including LTE roaming capabilities and voice control technology, that are expected to enhance officer safety and overall operational effectiveness. This purchase would represent the first phase of the full inventory replacement effort. It is intended to allow a designated subset of our officers to properly evaluate the performance and cost effectiveness of the selected equipment. It is anticipated that a larger purchase of these radios will be requested within this same fiscal year, upon successful verification that the N70 model is the most appropriate option available for use by all of our field responders.

These radios will be purchased from Motorola Solutions, Inc. The total cost for this purchase is $791,309, and funding has already been encumbered for this purpose in the police department's equipment replacement fund (ERF).

Failure to award this purchase will impede the mission critical communication capabilities of the Police Department, First Responders, and support personnel.

The City is authorized to purchase from the State Contract list pursuant to Chapter 271 Subchapter D of the Texas Local Government Code and by doing so satisfies any State Law requiring local governments to seek competitive bids for items. (DIR Contract No. DIR-TSO-4101 and City of Plano Contract No. 2024-0123-O)

Funding is available in the 2023-24 Police Department’s Equipment Replacement Fund for the first phase of replacing end of life radios with the purchase of one hundred (100) APX N70 series portable radios. The total estimated amount of this purchase in 2023-24 is $771,173, which includes the hardware, accessories and first year subscription fee. The annual subscription fee of $10,068 will be due in FY 2024-25 and 2025-26.

Approval of this purchase will support the City's Strategic Plan Critical Success Factors of being an Excellent, Innovative, and Accountable City Government with Safe, Vibrant Neighborhoods.