To: Board of Supervisors
From: David O. Livingston, Sheriff-Coroner
Report Title: Trakka USA LLC
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Sheriff-Coroner, or designee, to execute a contract with Trakka USA LLC, in an amount not to exceed $417,731 for a multi-sensor surveillance system for helicopter STARR1, used by the Sheriff’s Air Support Unit within the Marine Patrol Division, for the period December 1, 2025 through November 30, 2027.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Approval of this request will result in up to $417,731 in contractual service expenditures over a 2-year period and will be funded 75% by the 2024 State Homeland Security Grant Program (SHSGP) and 25% by the General Fund.
BACKGROUND:
Trakka USA LLC delivers advanced, mission-critical equipment for law enforcement aviation operations. Their camera system includes a TC-300 infrared camera system with video recording. Trakka USA LLC designs, manufactures, installs, and supports all its products, ensuring reliability and performance in the field. These systems are mounted on aerial law enforcement platforms to support a wide range of critical missions, including crime prevention, anti-terrorism operations, search and rescue, and the apprehension of felony suspects-ultimately enhancing public safety and community protection.
The Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff urgently needs this advanced equipment for STARR1 to fulfill the mission of protecting and serving the community. The Office of the Sheriff’s current aerial camera system for the STARR1 helicopter has failed and is not operational, severely limiting the capabilities of the aircraft when conducting law enforcement activity. Upgrading to Trakka’s system will ensure the helicopter remains mission-ready, significantly enhancing the Office of the Sheriff’s capabilities in rapid response, search and rescue operations, and the apprehension of dangerous felons which ultimately strengthens public safety across the County.
The General Terms and Conditions of Sale includes a limitation of liability provision.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
If the Board does not approve, the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff will be left without the mission-critical equipment necessary to maintain an effective aerial law enforcement capability. The current camera system on the STARR1 helicopter has failed and is completely inoperable. Without this essential technology, the Sheriff’s Office Air Support Unit can no longer provide reliable aerial assistance to ground units, significantly diminishing the ability to respond to emergencies and support law enforcement operations. This directly impacts public safety and reduces the level of service the community depends on. Additionally, the Sheriff’s search and rescue missions, which rely heavily on this equipment, is severely compromised, placing both rescuers and those in need at greater risk.