REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
February 25, 2025
FROM
TRACY REECE, Chief Probation Officer, Probation Department
SUBJECT
Title
Purchase Order to Metrasens for Portable Metal Detectors
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Authorize the Purchasing Agent to issue a non-competitive Purchase Order to Metrasens for the purchase of eleven portable metal detectors, in an amount not to exceed $203,303.
(Presenter: Tracy Reece, Chief Probation Officer, 387-5692)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Improve County Government Operations.
Operate in a Fiscally-Responsible and Business-Like Manner.
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of additional Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The purchase of eleven Metrasens portable metal detectors in an amount not to exceed $203,303 will be funded with Proposition 172 funds and is requested as part of the 2024-25 Mid-Year Budget Report.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The Probation (Department) has been using department-owned portable metal detectors in both Department’s correctional facilities, homeless outreach events, and in the multiple Day Reporting Centers that Probationers report to during operating hours. The purpose of metal detectors in these facilities is to detect metal objects on a person's body as they pass through, ensuring that weapons and other metallic contraband are identified before entry. Metal detectors in the Department’s facilities assist staff with locating weapons and preventing their potential use within secure buildings.
The additional portable metal detectors will be deployed at various Department facilities and will be used at outdoor functions that might require screening, such as certain field operations. The ability to operate in a free-standing mode or separated from its base to be used horizontally, vertically, or in an angled position, allows for use in confined spaces. The new portable metal detectors use advanced sensor technology that detects cell phones and inconspicuous weapons that the previous models were unable to detect.
County Policy 11-04, Procurement of Goods, Supplies, Equipment, and Services, requires Departments seek Board approval for all non-competitive purchases of goods in excess of $200,000 annually. Approval of this item will allow the Purchasing Agent to issue a non-competitive Purchase Order in an amount not to exceed $203,303 for the provision of eleven portable metal detectors to prevent and mitigate incidents that could pose a threat to personnel, youth, and public safety.
PROCUREMENT
Since 2018, the Department has been using Metrasens portable metal detectors. Metrasens Ultra is proprietary to Metrasens Inc. (Metrasens) and its patents include security systems of precise detection of contraband items from weapons to cellphones. Their advance technology of Xact ID software uses proprietary algorithms and state of the art sensor technology that is unmatched in the market today. Currently, the Department has 12 portable metal detectors from Metrasens assigned to various facilities. The Department is recommending a non-competitive procurement with Metrasens to maintain standardization with existing equipment and to facilitate personnel training and operation of the portable metal detectors. The Purchasing Department supports the non-competitive justification due to the functional specifications required by Probation and the overall cost savings in additional training.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Maria Insixiengmay, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on January 15, 2025; Purchasing Department (Ariel Gill, Supervising Buyer, 387-2070) on January 14, 2025; Finance (Iliana Rodriguez, Administrative Analyst, 387-4205) on February 4, 2025; and County Finance and Administration (Valerie Clay, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5423) on February 4, 2025.