REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
November 17, 2026
FROM
SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator
SUBJECT
Title
Contract with Forward Thinking Systems, LLC for Vehicle Global Positioning System Equipment and Tracking Services
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Approve Contract with Forward Thinking Systems, LLC, for the provision of mobile self-contained Global Positioning System units and tracking services, in an amount not to exceed $2,358,000, for the period of December 13, 2026 through December 12, 2031.
(Presenter: Carolina Mendoza, Chief Deputy Director, 387-0640)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
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 cost for the first year of Global Positioning System (GPS) units and tracking services, in the amount of $471,600, will be funded with the Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator’s (Department) existing 2026-27 budget allocation (4430001000). The Department will include sufficient appropriation in future recommended budgets.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
A Contract with Forward Thinking Systems, LLC will continue to provide GPS hardware, software, and installation refresher training services to assist the Department in managing the efficiency of its current fleet of vehicles, as the County’s current contract for these services, Contract No. 21-797, expires on December 12, 2026. Approval of the Recommendation will allow the Department to continue managing its fleet without interruption.
The Department’s Automotive Division manages approximately 3,000 vehicles, to include a combination of sedans, utility vehicles, prisoner transport vans, undercover vehicles, 4x4 trucks, specialty vehicles, and off-highway vehicles. Utilization of GPS tracking units and services will allow the Department to monitor vehicle performance through a vehicle’s On-Board Diagnostic II system including, but not limited to, odometer readings, fuel usage, and system diagnostics, allowing for timely repairs and less vehicle downtime. Additionally, the GPS units maintain communication with the State of California Department of Consumer Affairs, Bureau of Automotive Repair, allowing the Department to forgo the smog inspection process, provided that the vehicle exhaust emissions comply with state standards.
On September 24, 2024 (Item No. 35), as a result of a successful competitive procurement process (RFP No. VHS120-FL000-3546), the Board approved Contract No. 24-930 between Fleet Management Department (Fleet) and Forward Thinking Systems, LLC, effective January 29, 2025 through January 28, 2030, for the provision of mobile self-contained GPS units and tracking services. The Board-approved contract contains a provision, section C.29 - Participation Clause, that allows for additional governmental bodies within San Bernardino County to avail themselves of the contract with the same provisions as offered to Fleet. Purchasing supports this competitive procurement based on the RFP indicated above.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Grace B. Parsons, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on October 22, 2026; Purchasing (Jason Cloninger, Lead Buyer, 387-0321) October 26, 2026; and County Finance and Administration (Erika Rodarte, Administrative Analyst, 387-4919) on November 3, 2026.