Aurora approves $170,000 purchase of drive test scanner for police investigations

The Aurora City Finance Committee on Sept. 25 approved a purchase agreement not to exceed $170,000 with 5 8 Group for a drive test scanner to be used by the Aurora Police Department.

Commander Bill Rowley, commander in charge of the Investigative Services Division, told the committee the procurement followed a formal bid process ordered earlier by the committee of the whole and that 5 8 Group was the most qualified, lowest bidder among respondents including LexisNexis. Rowley said the city originally considered a sole-source purchase but reran a formal bid "for the sake of further transparency."

Rowley described the system as a suite: hardware, associated software, training, three years of software updates and potential vendor assistance for court testimony. He said the scanner helps map cellular networks to generate data that investigators can use, after legal processes such as search warrants, to support location analysis in criminal and missing-person investigations. "None of the stuff that we receive via a drive test scanner works on its own," Rowley said, noting the scanner produces data that must be paired with carrier records and other analysis before it is admissible in court.

Alderman Larson asked whether the $170,000 price reflected only equipment; Rowley replied the figure covers the full scope of work beyond hardware, including software licensing, updates and vendor services. He said the purchase agreement was limited to three years to avoid locking the city into technology that could become obsolete.

The committee approved the resolution by voice vote. The motion was made by Alderman Carl Franco and seconded by Alderman Edward J. Bugg; the committee recorded a unanimous 5-0 vote in favor.