Board of Estimate & Contract:
RESOLVED, that an Ordinance adopted by the City Council on December 23, 2025, and signed by the Mayor on December 24, 2025, authorizing the Mayor to Enter into a Contract with Motorola Solutions, Inc. for a Drone as a First Responder Program, in substantially the form presented to the City Council, pursuant to Sourcewell Cooperative Contract No. 030425-MOT). Fiscal Terms (are as follows):
A. The first year of the agreement shall be provided at no cost to the City.
B. Beginning in year two (2027), the annual subscription cost shall be fixed at $79,999.00 through year six, subject to annual appropriation by the City Council.
C. No funds shall be expended unless duly appropriated by the City Council.
; be, and the same is hereby approved.
City Council:
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR
TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH
MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS, INC. FOR A
DRONE AS A FIRST RESPONDER PROGRAM
Whereas, in correspondence dated December 23, 2025, the Deputy Chief of the Department of Public Safety formally requested authorization to enter into a contract with Motorola Solutions, Inc. for a Drone as a First Responder program, in substantially the form presented to the City Council, pursuant to Sourcewell Cooperative Contract No. 030425-MOT; and
Whereas, the City of Mount Vernon (“City”), through its Police Department, is responsible for protecting the health, safety, and welfare of its residents and visitors; and
Whereas, advancements in public safety technology provide opportunities to enhance emergency response, situational awareness, officer safety, and operational efficiency; and
Whereas, Motorola Solutions, Inc., in partnership with BRINC, offers a “Drone as a First Responder” (“DFR”) program that deploys an unmanned aircraft system under the direction and control of sworn Mount Vernon Police Officers; and
Whereas, the DFR program enables a drone to respond to emergency scenes within seconds, providing real-time video, two-way audio communication, and thermal imaging capabilities to officers and supervisors prior to the arrival of patrol units; and
Whereas, agencies currently utilizing the DFR program report an average on-scene visibility within approximately seventy (70) seconds and the resolution of approximately twenty-five percent (25%) of calls without the deployment of patrol units; and
Whereas, the DFR program enhances supervisory oversight, supports threat assessment, facilitates de-escalation, improves officer safety, and assists in decision-making during rapidly evolving incidents; and
Whereas, the system integrates with existing Motorola public safety platforms currently utilized by the City, including the AWARE public safety platform, and may also provide operational benefits to the Fire Department; and
Whereas, the proposed agreement includes all required equipment, software, training for officers, and technical support from Motorola Solutions; and
Whereas, the first year of the agreement carries no cost to the City and will not impact the City’s 2026 Operating Budget; and
Whereas, beginning in year two (2027), the agreement provides for an annual fixed subscription cost of Seventy-Nine Thousand Nine Hundred Ninety-Nine Dollars ($79,999.00) through year six; and
Whereas, the City retains the right to terminate the agreement during the initial no-cost period without penalty upon providing at least thirty (30) days’ written notice prior to the subscription renewal; and
Whereas, the agreement is available through an existing Sourcewell cooperative contract (Contract No. 030425-MOT), which has been competitively procured and approved for use by participating governmental entities; and
Whereas, pursuant to applicable law, use of the Sourcewell cooperative contract provides a lawful basis for exemption from the traditional multiple-quote and competitive bidding requirements; and
Whereas, Rockland County has previously vetted the program and procurement method; and
Whereas, the City Council finds that authorizing this agreement is in the best interests of the City and will allow the City to pilot a proven public safety technology while maintaining full operational oversight and fiscal safeguards;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MOUNT VERNON:
Section 1. Authorization. The Mayor of the City of Mount Vernon is hereby authorized to enter into a contract with Motorola Solutions, Inc. for a Drone as a First Responder program, in substantially the form presented to the City Council, pursuant to Sourcewell Cooperative Contract No. 030425-MOT.
Section 2. Scope of Agreement. The agreement shall include the provision of unmanned aircraft equipment, software, training, maintenance, and technical support, and shall permit deployment of the DFR program under the supervision and control of the Mount Vernon Police Department, with integration into existing public safety platforms.
Section 3. Fiscal Terms.
D. The first year of the agreement shall be provided at no cost to the City.
E. Beginning in year two (2027), the annual subscription cost shall be fixed at $79,999.00 through year six, subject to annual appropriation by the City Council.
F. No funds shall be expended unless duly appropriated by the City Council.
Section 4. Termination. The City shall retain the right to terminate the agreement during the initial no-cost period without financial penalty, upon providing at least thirty (30) days’ written notice prior to the subscription renewal date.
Section 5. Procurement Exemption. The City Council hereby approves the use of the Sourcewell cooperative contract as an exemption from the traditional competitive bidding and multiple-quote requirements, as permitted by applicable law.
Section 6. Oversight and Compliance. All operations conducted pursuant to this agreement shall comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and policies governing unmanned aircraft systems, data security, privacy, and public safety operations.
Section 7. Severability. If any clause, sentence, paragraph, or section of this ordinance shall be adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, such judgment shall not affect, impair, or invalidate the remainder thereof.
Section 8. Effective Date. This ordinance shall take effect immediately upon adoption by the City Council.