REPORT RAPPORT

DATE:	25 June 2012
TO/DEST:	Executive Director, Ottawa Police Services Board
FROM/EXP:	Chief of Police, Ottawa Police Service
SUBJECT/OBJET:	PURCHASE REPLACEMENT FOR REMOTELY OPERATED VEHICLE:  THE ANDROS ROBOT

RECOMMENDATION

That the Ottawa Police Services Board approve the purchase of a remotely operated vehicle, Andros Robot F6B, from Valley Associates at a cost of $291,506.00.

BACKGROUND

The Andros F6A Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) is an important and highly utilized tool for the Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear and Explosives (CBRNE) and Ottawa Police Service Tactical and Explosives Units that is called upon for operations involving bomb investigations and disruptions, negotiations and hostage and barricaded person calls.

The current ROV Robot is 10 years old and is at the end of its useful lifecycle.  In 2011 it was out of commission for 8 weeks due to repairs.  The cost to retrofit the unit would be in the range of $150,000 but given the age of the unit it was decided that the better value would be in purchasing a new unit with a life cycle of 10 years.

The OPS CBRNE operations section has acquired many tools and accessories that are designed specifically for the F6A or F6B platforms over the last decade.  These accessories and tools would need to be replaced at a significant cost to OPS if a unit other than the Andros F6B was purchased in order to keep our present operational capabilities.  There would also be a significant training requirement and cost associated to the selection of a different ROV platform for members of the OPS to attain the operational readiness that they now possess with the Andros platforms.

DISCUSSION

The Andros F6B is an excellent replacement for the F6A.  It is extremely versatile and capable in both CBRNE and Tactical missions; it can be quickly deployed for delivery of various render safe options for the mitigation of suspect packages and IED’s.  It is also capable of delivering various items required in tactical operations and is useful as a remote reconnaissance vehicle in urban or rural settings to orient officers in dangerous and unfamiliar surroundings. 

The control console and functions of the Andros F6B are very similar to the current ROV, the Andros F6A, negating the need for considerable time and money spent on training to bring the operators up to the same levels of proficiency they currently have.  Also, some of the current equipment of the F6A in use at OPS can be transferred to the F6B and translate into a lower cost for a new fully operational ROV.

As well, the new digital system of the F6B surpasses the current analog system of the F6A in both operating range and quality of image.  The F6B is fast, agile and can climb stairs which is outside the means of other large frame ROVs.  It is RF (radio frequency) operated for unencumbered deployment, has a heavy-duty structure to carry heavier payloads but is not so large that it cannot be used in limited spaces such as light rail cars, residential homes or office space. 

The F6B is constructed to withstand the rigors of daily use for both training and operational requirements over the course of its anticipated lifecycle of 10 years.  It is able to endure wet conditions such as rain, snow and the decontamination process when deployed in CBRNE contaminated environments.

FINANCIAL STATEMENT

As Valley Associates Inc. is the Canadian distributor of the Andros F6B this is a sole source request and because of the value requires Board approval.

Funding has been designated under 2012 Capital project account # 906557 – OPS Specialized Equipment.

CONCLUSION

 The focus of acquiring a remotely operated vehicle has always and will continue to be public and officer safety matter. Such a platform enables our officers to safely and effectively engage many different types of threats in different environments.  The acquisition of the Andros F6B will aid in the Services ability to risk manage potentially dangerous situations.

(original signed by)

Charles Bordeleau

Chief of Police