Request for Information (RFI) Panasonic TOUGHBOOK® Equipment and Services

Broward County, Florida is issuing a Request for Information on Panasonic TOUGHBOOK equipment and services as a Notice of Intent to Designate Sole Source/Sole Brand, with responses due July 31, 2026. This RFI is not a purchase commitment or pricing request but rather a preliminary market survey to determine whether comparable equipment or multiple qualified providers exist.

The County seeks to establish whether Panasonic TOUGHBOOK fully rugged laptops with carrier-agnostic programmable aircards represent a sole-source or sole-brand procurement necessity. The devices must meet military-grade standards, withstand high temperatures and constant vibration in vehicle environments, include programmable aircards compatible with major cellular providers for Closest Unit Response operations, and satisfy fire-rescue durability requirements. The County's 15-year operational history with TOUGHBOOK equipment establishes the performance baseline against which alternatives will be evaluated.

Vendors responding to the RFI must identify proposed alternative products and confirm whether their equipment matches or exceeds the long-term, field-proven performance of the specified TOUGHBOOK devices. Respondents must also demonstrate capability to provide comprehensive support for certified vehicle docking stations, power supplies, vehicle antennas, wireless routers, installation, and warranty services; confirm ability to maintain system updates and interoperability across multiple municipalities participating in Interlocal Agreements with Broward County.

The Purchasing Director retains sole authority to determine what commodities or services are comparable and to designate the equipment as sole source or sole brand. All submitting vendors will be notified of the purchasing director's decision via the electronic bidding system. That decision is not subject to objection, protest, or appeal.