HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-84 - Needl, Inc. dba Aurelian - Provide Automated Virtual Assistant (AVA) Software to Support the National City Police Department’s Communications Center RESOLUTION NO. 2026— 84
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NATIONAL CITY, CALIFORNIA,
WAIVING THE FORMAL BID PROCESS PURSUANT TO NATIONAL CITY MUNICIPAL CODE
SECTION 2.60.110 REGARDING EXCEPTIONS TO FORMAL COMPETITIVE BIDDING AND
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH NEEDL, INC.
DBA AURELIAN FOR AUTOMATED VIRTUAL ASSISTANT SOFTWARE IN A NOT-TO-
EXCEED AMOUNT OF $135,000 FOR THE NATIONAL CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT.
WHEREAS, the National City Police Department's Communications Center has
experienced ongoing staffing shortages while continuing to provide a high level of service to the
community; and
WHEREAS, in 2025, dispatch personnel answered more than 70,000 administrative and
non-emergency calls while maintaining a minimum staffing level of two dispatchers on duty at all
times and, despite their continued dedication and professionalism, the Communications Center
faces persistent challenges, including mandatory overtime, employee burnout, staff turnover, and
an extensive training process that requires approximately six months to a year to fully train a new
dispatcher; and
WHEREAS, in an effort to assist dispatch personnel and continue to provide critical
dispatch services to the community, the Police Department researched several automated call-
handling platforms designed specifically for public safety communications centers, systems that
utilize artificial intelligence (Al) and real-time data to assist with answering non-emergency calls,
provide automated transcription services, support language translation, and guide callers through
scripted questioning based on the nature of the incident; and
WHEREAS, after evaluating various automated call-handling platforms and obtaining
quotes from vendors, the Police Department recommends entering into a three (3) year
agreement with Needl, Inc. dba Aurelian ("Aurelian") at a cost not to exceed $135,000 for use of
Aurelian's standard hosting software service,which includes call routing, call automation services,
web chat, and assistive call-taking software; and
WHEREAS, Section 2.60.110(B) of the National City Municipal Code allows the City
Council to waive formal competitive bidding requirements when, among other reasons,
competitive bidding is or would be impractical or impossible or the circumstances are such that
no obvious, ascertainable advantage to the City could result, and such a determination has been
made in this case, therefore, it is recommended that the purchase be made without complying
with the competitive bidding procedure set forth in the Municipal Code; and
WHEREAS, National City's Purchasing staff has confirmed that, due to the proprietary
nature of and unique features in Aurelian's software, compatibility with existing systems in the
Communications Center, and the results of the quotes obtained by the Police Department,
competitive bidding would be impractical or impossible and there is no obvious, ascertainable
advantage from such bidding; and
WHEREAS, City staff recommends adoption of the resolution as stated.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NATIONAL CITY,
CALIFORNIA, DOES RESOLVE, DECLARE, DETERMINE, AND ORDER AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1: That the City Council hereby authorizes waiving the formal bid process
pursuant to National City Municipal Code Section 2.60.110(B) regarding exceptions to formal
competitive bidding requirements and authorizes the City Manager to execute an agreement and
all necessary supporting documents with Needl, Inc. dba Aurelian for automated virtual assistant
software and services in a not-to-exceed amount of$135,000 for the Police Department.
Section 2: That the City Clerk shall certify the passage and adoption of this Resolution
and enter it into the book of original Resolutions.
PASSED and ADOPTED this 30th day of Jun 026.
R Morrison, Mayor
ATTEST:
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Shelley Ch pel, MMC, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:Heidi Skinner, City Attorney
Passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of National City, California, on June
30, 2026 by the following roll-call vote, to-wit:
Ayes: Yamane, Bush, Molina, Morrison
Nays: None.
Absent: Rodriguez
Recused: None.
AUTHENTICATED BY: Ron Morrison
Mayor of the City of National City, California
c.0 Shelley Chapel
/ City Clerk of the City of National City, California
.� � BY:
Shelley pel, MMC, City Clerk