Title
Consider and take action on a resolution authorizing a six-year agreement with Motorola Solutions, Inc., under Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR) Contract No. DIR-CPO-5433, for Drone as First Responder (DFR) capabilities in an amount not to exceed $1,759,980, with an initial one-year subscription fee waiver and termination option (Chief of Police)
Background:
Approval of this item will authorize a six-year agreement with Motorola Solutions, Inc., under Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR) Contract No. DIR-CPO-5433, for Drone as First Responder (DFR) equipment and service in an amount not to exceed $1,759,980, with an initial one-year subscription fee waiver and termination option. During the initial year, staff will evaluate the viability of implementing Drone as First Responder (DFR) capabilities. If the City does not exercise its termination option in the first year, annual subscription fees begin in Year 2 as provided in the agreement.
The League City Police and Fire Departments seek to enhance community and first-responder safety by implementing a DFR program. Motorola Solutions, which provides CAD, RMS, radio systems for our police, fire, and EMS, has partnered with BRINC to integrate DFR into municipal public safety efforts. Moreover, the Motorola BRINC partnership was recently selected by the National League of Cities as the preferred DFR platform for municipalities. Desired outcomes are that DFR will benefit League City emergency services by improving response times and situational awareness for first responders.
DFR programs use strategically placed drones in charging nests that can reach a scene within seconds of a call for service. In many instances drones arrive on scene before first responders and provide live video, two-way communication, and real-time information to emergency communication specialists and first responders. Agencies adopting DFR programs have seen noticeable improvements in response times, situational awareness, and resource efficiency. Agencies can assess incidents faster while reducing risks and making data-driven decisions that enhance public safety.
With its relatively large geographic footprint and unique blend of residential, commercial, and Business district, the City of League City is exceptionally positioned to benefit from a DFR program. Autonomous drones can bypass traffic and fly directly to scenes and transmit real-time data to ground responders before they arrive. Through its partnership with Motorola, BRINC fully integrates into the Motorola computer automated dispatch (CAD) system thereby allowing a drone to launch and fly autonomously to any call for service. BRINC further enhances first responder safety by allowing units in the field to summon a drone simply by pushing a button on their Motorola handheld radios, a feature not found with other DFR manufacturers. Examples would be an officer in trouble and needing assistance, officers investigating a burglar alarm and needing a roof check, or fire units needing thermal capabilities to check for hot spots on a fire call.
BRINC drones are purpose built, American made systems that meet new federal compliance standards for public safety drones. By providing a one-year subscription fee waiver, the Brinc Takeoff program allows agencies to fully evaluate the benefits of DFR. If city staff determines the DFR is not viable, city staff can terminate the agreement early. The agreement also includes warranty coverage, repair and replacement benefits under the BRINC Support Program, software updates, scheduled hardware upgrades in Years 3 and 5, and required end-user training.
Motorola requests a four-month time frame from the date the contract is signed to fully implement the DFR program at a police agency. Coordinating equipment deliveries and ensuring the software is fully integrated into our Motorola CAD software are key milestones that need to occur before go-live. With that timeframe in mind, if the contract is signed on or around July 14th, LCPD’s DFR program would not be operational until mid-November 2026. The contract is not in effect, and the first payment is not due until the DFR program is fully installed and operational. With the first year having ZERO fiscal impact in FY27, should the program be considered sufficiently beneficial, the first payment would not be due until around November 2027 (FY28).
Attachments:
1. Proposed Resolution
2. BRINC DFR Takeoff League City
3. BRINC DFR 1-Year Free Evaluation Terms and Conditions
4. State Contract - DIR-CPO-5433
FUNDING
{X} Funds will be included in future years budgets for annual cost, which is estimated at approximately $360,000 annually for years 2-6.
STRATEGIC PLANNING
{x} NOT APPLICABLE