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CONTRACT K-1718-61: A CONTRACT BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY OF NORMAN, OKLAHOMA, AND RAVE MOBILE SAFETY IN THE AMOUNT OF $32,500 TO PROVIDE A MASS NOTIFICATION SERVICE FOR THE CITY OF NORMAN FOR THE PERIOD OF SEPTEMBER 29, 2017, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 28, 2018.
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BACKGROUND: The mission of the Norman Police Department is to maintain and enhance the quality of life in the City of Norman by protecting life, liberty, property, and keeping the peace. The pursuit of this mission requires specific capabilities be acquired and maintained to deliver the expected police services. The City of Norman purchased the Blackboard Connect mass notification services which has been used for over three years. Due to advances in technology and cellular use it was determined that an evaluation of mass notification vendors was in the best interest for providing quality services to our citizens.
The funding for the use of a mass notifications service has become a recurring budget item in the City of Norman annual budget with the costs being shared in various city departments. Mass notification messages are generally issued by the Police or Fire Department, but can be used by other departments for critical notifications in cases warranting mass notifications.
DISCUSSION: The department began reviewing other vendors which provided mass notification services, several of which also provided enhanced options such as integration of 911 calls which may come into the Communications Center.
Three (3) vendors were identified which provide mass notification systems and have the potential to interact with the City of Norman 911 system. A workgroup was established and product demonstrations were conducted by each vendor. The workgroup reviewed the information provided and the features of each product in making the recommendation listed below. There are summaries and price quotes for each of the vendors included as an attachment.
Based on the review of the information provided by the vendors and the demonstrations of their products, the workgroup believes that Rave Mobile Safety will provide the best services for the City of Norman. This vendor will provide a subscriber based mass notification system for citizens of Norman for emergency or critical notifications, Keyword text messages that any cell phone user can opt-in for notifications about designated events, and enhanced emergency profiles directly linked to registered 10-digit phone numbers which will automatically populate information into the dispatch center if that number calls 911. This is a three-year contract with an annual cost of $32,500. This will be a cost savings to the City of Norman in excess of $17,000 annually for a mass notification service.
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that Contract K-1718-61 with Rave Mobile Safety be approved and payment be paid from the budgeted funds in FYE18 which were dedicated for the purchase of a mass notification system, previously Blackboard Connect, in the following cost centers.
Public Works, Other Business Services (010-5001-430.41-99) - $11,613 budgeted - Use $6,546
Police Admin., Other Business Services (010-6010-421.41-99) - $13,362 budgeted - Use $7,050
Fire Admin., Other Business Services (010-6440-422.41-99) - $10,098 budgeted - Use $6,546
PSST Police, Other Business Services (015-6122-421.41-99) - $3,661 budgeted - Use $3,661
PSST Fire, Other Business Services (015-6543-422.41-99) - $3,661 budgeted - Use $3,661
Water Admin., Other Business Services (031-5530-461.41-99) - $3,661 budgeted - Use $2,518
Water Reclamation, Other Business Services (032-5541-432.41-99) - $3,661 budgeted- Use $2,518