TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Oscar Ortiz, Sheriff-Coroner, Deputy Director of Emergency Services
REPORT BY: Brieanna Jones, Emergency Services Officer
SUBJECT: Homeland Security Grant FY24- Capital Asset Purchase
RECOMMENDATION
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Authorize the purchase of a capital asset for two unmanned aerial systems (UAS) BRINC Lemur 2 drone Operations Bundles; approve a sole source waiver of competitive bidding; and approve a Budget Amendment with appropriation from FY24 Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP). (Fiscal Impact: $40,000 Expense, General Fund; Budgeted; Discretionary)
[4/5 votes required]
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BACKGROUND
Napa County Office of Emergency Services (OES) manages the Homeland Security Grant Program and participation of FY2024 was previously approved by the Board of Supervisors on February 25, 2025. Napa County OES works with law enforcement, fire, EMS, and public health to help distribute funds to mitigate, prepare, respond, and recover from acts of terrorism. The Homeland Security Grant Program has a requirement for all activities to have a nexus to terrorism to receive funds. Any purchases made through grant funding with OES is deployable to any agency within the county and this purchase will benefit countywide response operations.
Napa County OES found a need within the Napa County Sheriff’s Office Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) Team. The drones are used to protect lives and property of citizens of Napa County and first responders in a constitutionally and legally sound manner and in compliance with all regulations. This equipment will be used for real time surveillance of planned and unplanned events within Napa County. The sUAS Team operates under the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) guidelines and all pilots undergo strict training, including obtaining FAA Remote Pilot Licensing.
The sUAS Team currently operates several different types of DJI Mavic drones which are sufficient for basic surveillance tasks, but there is a growing need for versatile drones that can be utilized in a multitude of law enforcement operations. To address this need, the Sheriff’s Office has been researching today’s drone market for suitable drone models and has found one in the BRINC Lemur 2 drone.
The BRINC Lemur 2 drone is the only law enforcement grade drone system that offers a wide range of capabilities, including maneuvering in tight spaces, breaking windows for entry, pushing doors open, delivering or dragging small objects during negotiations with a payload attachment, resume normal operation if dropped, flip over if knocked over on its back, ability to produce real time floor plans, and can be deployed in under a minute. In addition, it is weather resistant, has an integrated spotlight, night vision, two-way communication, has obstacle awareness, and thermal vision. These capabilities allow the drone to be utilized in many different situations.
BRINC is the sole manufacturer and developer of the Lemur 2 drone as well as the sole provider of a proprietary comprehensive fleet management, live streaming, and operations hub. This drone is manufactured in the United States and meets the security standards set forth by the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Thus, pursuant to County Purchasing Policy section 4-4, subd. (a), because the equipment is one of a kind, has unique design and performance specifications, and the competitive products are inadequate, a sole source purchase is justified.
Recommendations:
1. Authorize the purchase of two BRINC Lemur 2 drone Operations Bundles and establish it as a capital asset in the amount of $40,000.
2. Approve a Budget Amendment in the OES Grant’s budget Equipment expenses (Fund 1000, Org 1380005, Obj 55400), increasing appropriations by $40,000, offset by a decrease in appropriations of the same budget of $40,000 from Computer Equipment (Object 53410)
[4/5 vote required]
3. A waiver of competitive bidding requirements and sole source award for the purchase of two BRINC Lemur 2 drone Operations Bundles from BRINC for a total of $40,000 pursuant to Napa County Code section 2.36.090 and County Purchasing Policy section 4-4.
FISCAL IMPACT
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Is there a Fiscal Impact? |
Yes |
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Is it currently budgeted? |
Yes |
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Where is it budgeted? |
OES Grants Budget 1380005, Object 53410 |
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Is it Mandatory or Discretionary? |
Discretionary |
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Discretionary Justification: |
The purchase of the two versatile BRINC Lemur 2 drones enhances officer safety, operational efficiency, and community service capabilities. Modern public safety drones provide cost-effective aerial support that improves situational awareness while reducing risk to personnel and the public. |
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Is the general fund affected? |
Yes |
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Future fiscal impact: |
This expense will be reimbursed by Homeland Security Grant Program FY24. |
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Consequences if not approved: |
If not approved, OES would not purchase the Lemur 2drones, which can be an essential tool to effectively assist during critical incidents and natural disasters, and grant activity will not be continued. |
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ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: The proposed action is not a project as defined by California
Code of Regulations, title 14, section 15378 (State CEQA Guidelines) and, therefore, CEQA is not applicable.