Commission approves $29,006 sole-source purchase for sheriff's VR training accessories

The Clay County Commission approved request 2026194, a sole-source purchase to buy accessories for the county's INVeris VR FAST law-enforcement simulator at a cost of $29,006.25, using ARPA funds.

Phil Coefer of the Clay County Sheriff's Office described the package and why the county seeks a sole-source extension: "It's a simulated simulator...it's kind of like a big video game, projects onto the wall, and then there's 2 other systems attached to it," Coefer said, explaining that the accessories allow deputies to use the actual taser and optics they carry in the augmented reality environment. Commissioners questioned whether the accessories would remain compatible if the department later upgraded to newer Tasers from Axon; Coefer and staff said the accessories are tied to the existing proprietary system and that migration to newer Axon "TENS" devices would require additional capital planning.

The motion to approve 2026194 passed 5-0. The administrator said staff will work with the sheriff's office on budget and capital-improvement planning for eventual device migration and software upgrades.