REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBMITTED TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
SUBMITTED BY: Travis Hopkins, City Manager
VIA: Eric Parra, Chief of Police
PREPARED BY: Yasha Nikitin, Police Captain and Kimberly Rodriguez, Management Analyst
Subject:
title
Approval of Sole-Source Purchase and Installation of Two Trakka TL-360 Searchlight System for Police Department Air Support Unit
body
Statement of Issue:
The Huntington Beach Police Department’s Air Support Unit currently utilizes the Spectrolab SX-16 searchlight system on its helicopters. This system is outdated and increasingly presents operational and maintenance challenges. The SX-16 requires a high level of electrical power, placing significant strain on the aircraft’s electrical system and contributing to reliability concerns during flight operations.
As the system ages, maintenance costs have continued to rise due to more frequent repairs and the increasing need for replacement parts. Additionally, the SX-16 presents compatibility challenges with the department’s existing camera and mapping systems, further impacting overall system performance and efficiency. Although the department’s Spectrolab SX-16 searchlight system, which is approximately 15 years old, has been refurbished to extend its service life, these efforts have not fully addressed ongoing issues related to age, wear, and technological limitations.
The SX-16 is also limited in functionality, offering only approximately 45 degrees of motion. This restriction often requires repositioning of the helicopter to properly illuminate a target area, reducing operational efficiency.
In contrast, the Trakka TL-360 searchlight requires significantly less electrical power, approximately one-third of the SX-16, reducing strain on the aircraft’s electrical system and improving reliability. It also integrates with the helicopter’s existing camera platform and provides a full 360-degree range of motion, allowing precise illumination without frequent aircraft repositioning.
Overall, replacing the aging SX-16 systems with the Trakka TL-360 will improve operational effectiveness, reduce maintenance costs, and enhance the safety and reliability of the Air Support Unit’s aircraft.
Financial Impact:
The purchase and installation of the Trakka TL-360 searchlight systems is estimated to cost approximately $149,574, with adequate funding available in the current budget.
Recommended Action:
recommendation
Approve sole-source purchase and installation of Trakka TL-360 Searchlight system.
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Alternative Action(s):
Do not approve purchase and direct staff accordingly.
Analysis:
The Trakka TL-360 searchlight is an industry-leading system widely used by law enforcement aviation units to support critical aerial operations. Upgrading to the TL-360 will enable the Air Support Unit (ASU) to continue providing effective support to police, fire, and marine safety personnel operating on the ground and on the water.
Once installed, the TL-360 will integrate with each helicopter’s existing mapping and camera systems, allowing the flight crew to control both the searchlight and camera through a single interface. This integration improves operational efficiency, reduces crew workload, and enhances overall safety during aerial missions.
Installation must be performed by a vendor designated by the manufacturer and certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as a repair station. Based on these requirements, Hangar One Avionics, Inc. (Hangar One) is the most appropriate vendor. Hangar One is the closest qualified repair station, is certified to perform work on the MD 530F helicopter platform, and is already utilized by the department for ongoing maintenance services. This familiarity ensures the installation will meet all FAA and manufacturer standards.
As part of the evaluation process, the department researched alternative searchlight systems and vendors and found no comparable options that match the performance and capabilities of the Trakka TL-360. The department also explored other FAA-certified repair stations but did not identify any facilities within a reasonable proximity to Huntington Beach capable of performing the installation.
Accordingly, Hangar One Avionics is the most practical and qualified vendor to complete the installation, supporting the justification for a sole-source procurement.
Environmental Status:
Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(5), administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment do not constitute a project.
Strategic Plan Goal:
Goal 8 - Public Safety, Strategy B - Bolster City's emergency management preparedness and response plans to ensure seamless public safety response during crisis events.
For details, visit www.huntingtonbeachca.gov/strategicplan.
Attachment(s):
1. Sole-Source Justification - Trakka
2. Invoices - Trakka Systems