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Worcester commission authorizes $450,000 procurement path for portable weapons-detection units
Summary
The Civic Center Commission authorized staff to proceed with design, bidding and purchase of about 15 portable weapons-detection units — a proposed not-to-exceed $450,000 authorization — after staff said tests and rentals demonstrated the technology’s operational usefulness.
Commissioners on May 28 authorized staff to proceed with procurement design, bidding and purchase of portable weapons-detection systems (PWTS) for the Worcester Civic Center.
Staff said the proposal would supply roughly 15 units — nine for the convention center and six for the arena — and that the preferred supplier’s quote included on-site warranty service. Staff described the devices as more compact and less staff-intensive than older screening units used previously and said the Civic Center has already tested rental units at arena events.
Commissioners asked whether the facilities have the requisite electrical and infrastructure capacity where the units would be deployed; staff said that while many locations have power, some perimeter or exhibit setups may require temporary power runs, and that any supplemental electrical work would be costed and returned to the commission before purchase. The staff also said older detectors would be repurposed where useful.
The commission approved a motion to authorize up to $450,000 to complete procurement design, solicit bids and proceed to purchase. Staff will finalize procurement specifications, assess infrastructure needs and report back with any additional cost or installation requirements.
The decision follows a broader meeting in which commissioners also approved several change orders and asked the city manager to provide a DIP funding briefing to inform FY27 planning.
