TO: Mayor and City Commission
FROM: Cale Curtis, City Manager
DATE: April 16, 2025
Title
APPROVING THE WAIVING OF BIDDING FOR ACQUISITION FROM THE FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT TRUST FUND ACCOUNT TO ENHANCE THE POLICE DEPARTMENT'S K-9 UNIT TO INCLUDE THE PURCHASE OF ONE (1) REPLACEMENT CANINE, MISCELLANEOUS K-9 AND HANDLER EQUIPMENT, AND TRAINING, AT A COST NOT TO EXCEED $23,050.00
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BACKGROUND:
Immediate acquisition of a replacement canine will allow adequate time for training and preparation for law enforcement service.
Consistent with prior practices, the acquisition of a canine necessitates purchase upon immediate availability. To ensure the procurement of the most suitable canine without undue delay, the Administration requests that the Commission authorize the City Manager, Assistant City Manager, or Chief of Police to execute a sales agreement at the time of purchase. These agreements are specific to the identified canine and cannot be executed in advance. Our intention is to primarily engage Metro-Dade K9 Services, a city-approved vendor with a history of providing our K-9 units. However, we acknowledge the potential need to utilize an alternate vendor should a more appropriate canine become available. Given the unpredictable availability of suitable canines and the substantial nature of this specialized purchase, we respectfully request a waiver of the formal bidding process.
To ensure continued operational effectiveness and comprehensive support for our officers and residents, I am requesting authorization to replace a recently retired canine. This replacement will restore our K-9 Unit to its full complement of four teams, with one assigned to each patrol platoon (I-IV). Maintaining this capacity is essential for optimal service delivery.
Due to the law enforcement need for this expenditure, and absent appropriated funds, I am respectfully requesting to fund this acquisition via the Federal Forfeiture - Law Enforcement Trust Fund account and ...
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