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A resolution authorizing the Nashville Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure (NDOT) to purchase and utilize surveillance technology available under a state-wide, multi-year cooperative agreement issued to Samsara, Inc., for the purpose of monitoring NDOT salt trucks and the public right-of-way in real time.
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WHEREAS, Tennessee Code Annotated §§ 12-3-1201 and 12-3-1205, and Section 4.12.090 of the Metropolitan Code of Laws, allows the Purchasing Agent to purchase or approve purchases, without public advertisement or competitive bidding, under the provisions of contracts or price agreements entered into by the State of Tennessee Department of General Services; and,
WHEREAS, the Purchasing Agent approved the Metropolitan Department of General Services’ request to purchase telematics technology under a state-wide, multi-year contract issued to Samsara, Inc. by the State of Tennessee Department of General Services (“the Cooperative Agreement”), a copy of which is attached hereto and incorporated herein; and,
WHEREAS, at the time of the Purchasing Agent’s approval of the Cooperative Agreement, the telematics technology did not meet the definition of surveillance technology under Metropolitan Code of Laws Section 13.08.080, in that the goods sought to be procured by the Metropolitan Department of General Services were telematics products, services, and accessories to be installed in eligible vehicles for the purpose of tracking vehicle location and vehicle system diagnostic reporting to improve preventative maintenance practices, reduce downtime, and identify fuel waste with utilization data; and,
WHEREAS, NDOT has decided to use technology available under the Cooperative Agreement in NDOT salt trucks to monitor salt usage and road conditions in real time so that NDOT can monitor traffic and safety during winter weather conditions; and,
WHEREAS, pursuant to Metropolitan Code of Laws § 13.08.080.C.2., entering into an agreement with a private entity to acquire, share, or otherwise use surveillance technology or the information it provides, if such agreement includes the exchange of any monetary or any other form of consideration from any source, requires prior metropolitan council approval by a resolution adopted after a public hearing; and,
WHEREAS, authorization for the Metropolitan Government to purchase and install surveillance technology from the state Cooperative Agreement with Samsara, Inc. is in the best interest of the citizens of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:
Section 1. That the Metropolitan Government is authorized to acquire, share or otherwise use and install technology from Samsara, Inc. via the state-wide, multi-year cooperative contract between the State of Tennessee Department of General Services and Samsara, Inc., a copy of which is attached hereto and incorporated herein.
Section 2. That this resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.
Agenda Analysis
Analysis
This resolution authorizes the Nashville Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure (“NDOT”) to utilize surveillance technology related to a statewide, multi-year cooperative agreement with Samsara, Inc.
Section 13.08.080 of the Metropolitan Code of Laws regulates Metro’s use of surveillance technology. Prior to entering into an agreement with a private entity to use surveillance technology or the information it provides, such agreement must be approved by a resolution of Council adopted after a public hearing.
The technology offered by the cooperative agreement with Sanara, Inc. involves telematics technology that would be used on salt trucks to monitor salt usage and road conditions in real time during winter weather, which meets the definition of surveillance technology in M.C.L. Sec. 13.08.080.
When the cooperative agreement was first approved by the Purchasing Agent in December 2023, the telematics technology did not meet the definition of surveillance technology. At the time, the technology tracked vehicle location and vehicle system diagnostic reporting to improve preventative maintenance practices, reduce downtime, and identify fuel waste with utilization data.
The resolution under consideration would authorize the use of this surveillance technology. A public hearing must be held prior to the adoption of this resolution.