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Council approves multiple procurement items: police equipment, training system and multi-year bids
Summary
Council approved several procurement items including police tablets ($70,000), a JAG-funded inflatable tactical training 'air wall' ($67,195), and multi-year extensions for Motorola accessories and radar calibration, increasing multi-year spending authorities.
The Warwick City Council approved multiple procurement and contract items on the consent calendar and in committee, including police vehicle tablets, an inflatable tactical training system, and multi-year extensions to several service contracts.
Public Works sought to award a $160,000 tire-repair and recapping contract (one-year) to Sullivan Tire and Pete’s Tire Barns; council inquired about last year’s $133,067.22 spend and the budget increase. The police department requested $70,000 in spending authority from the computer-supplies budget to purchase rugged tablets and associated hardware; Major said the department will buy "at least 20" tablets to replace 7‑ to 8‑year‑old devices.
The police also asked to purchase an inflatable "air wall" tactical training system funded through a JAG grant; the Major said "this program is used by the US military for various different types of walls" and that the purchase leaves roughly $22,000 remaining in the grant for other approved items. Councilors asked whether vacant city buildings could be used instead; Major said simunitions risk damaging property and that inflatable walls are reusable and configurable for many scenarios.
Two multi-year bid amendments were approved: Motorola radio accessories were extended to a two‑year period and spending authority increased from $25,000 to $50,000 (PCR133-25), and radar calibration and repair was extended to three years with total authority increased to $21,000 (PCR134-25). Council discussed the merits of two‑ and three‑year bids to lock pricing and simplify administrative workload.
The consent calendar carried and the related amended PCR items were approved by voice votes. Officials said they will follow up with warranty and specification details for the training system and tablet warranties as requested by council members.
