Request for Proposals for Onboard Bus Video Surveillance System

The City of Santa Monica is seeking a turnkey solution to replace and modernize the onboard video surveillance system across its 173‑bus “Big Blue Bus” fleet. The contract will cover design, supply of IP‑based cameras, network video recorders, PoE infrastructure, wireless/cellular communications, centralized video management software, installation on both 30‑, 35‑, 40‑foot low‑floor buses and 60‑foot articulated buses, training, warranty, and ongoing maintenance. The system must support high‑definition (up to 4K) video, synchronized audio, event‑marker integration, vehicle telemetry (GPS, speed, brake, door status, etc.), remote health monitoring, and both on‑premises and cloud‑hosted VMS options. Proposers must provide separate pricing for full camera replacement versus reuse of existing serviceable cameras, and optional passenger‑entry monitor upgrades. The contract term is one year with up to four one‑year renewal options, and the award will be made to the best‑qualified firm based on technical merit, experience, and price. • 173 buses (166 low‑floor, 7 articulated) to be equipped with a minimum of 8–10 cameras per vehicle, including at least one 4K forward‑roadway camera. • Required capabilities: 32‑channel NVR, 600 hours of video retention (~30 days), PoE power budget ≥120 W, GPS/telemetry integration, event‑marker button, live streaming over 4G/5G and Wi‑Fi, privacy redaction, and map‑based video retrieval. • Software: Unified VMS with browser‑based client, no special PC required, licensing for unlimited city users, support for on‑premises or cloud hosting. • Deliverables: hardware, installation, pilot deployment, training, documentation, warranty, spare‑parts inventory (10‑15% of deployed units). • Key dates: Questions due Oct 16 2026, proposal due Nov 5 2026, in‑person demo Nov 17 2026 (top‑3).