DEPARTMENT: Finance
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Troy Elliott
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT:
Self-Contained Breathing Apparatuses (SCBAs)
SUMMARY:
This ordinance authorizes acceptance of a contract with Municipal Emergency Services, Inc. to provide the San Antonio Fire Department with 555 self-contained breathing apparatuses (SCBAs) and accessories for a total net cost of $3,771,632.44. This purchase will be funded through a Tax-Exempt Lease Purchase Agreement, or other financial obligations, contingent on the execution of a lease program schedule or other issuance approved by subsequent Ordinance.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Submitted for City Council consideration and action is a request to award a contract to Municipal Emergency Services, Inc. for the purchase of 555 SCBAs and accessories for the San Antonio Fire Department, for a total net cost of $3,771,632.44.
The San Antonio Fire Department's current inventory of SCBAs are reaching the end of their service life. SCBAs are used daily by firefighters to provide compressed breathing air which allows entry to hazardous environments (fire, smoke, chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear, air borne contaminates) in the performance of their duties.
Replacing the current SCBAs will ensure the department maintains compliance with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1981 (2013 edition) code pertaining to self-contained breathing apparatus. Currently, there are only two SCBA manufacturers available nationally that meet compliance with 2013 standard of NFPA 1981. Of the two that are compliant, the San Antonio Fire Department Tool and Equipment Committee has chosen the Scott Safety equipment. The San Antonio Fire Department has satisfactorily used Scott Safety equipment for the last nine years with no negative incidents. Additionally, the San Antonio Fire Department has a significant investment in Scott Safety equipment and parts which reduces the cost the initial purchase significantly. Existing equipment includes cylinders with six years of remaining service life, 400 high temperature masks that meet the latest NFPA standard, Rapid Intervention Team Paks that can be utilized with any Scott SCBA, and a parts inventory that can be utilized with new Scott SCBA equipment. Furthermore, the hardware used to secure SCBAs in fire apparatus will continue to be utilized. Lastly, the San Antonio Fire Department already has Scott certified staff that will service the SCBAs in the future.
ISSUE:
This contract will provide the SAFD with 555 SCBA's and accessories for a total net cost of $3,771,632.44. Approval of this contract will allow the Department to replace the current SCBAs that have reached the end of their service life and maintain compliance with the latest NFPA 1981 standard for SCBAs.
This equipment will be purchased from Municipal Emergency Services, Inc. utilizing the Houston-Galveston Area Council cooperative contract number EE08-13. This purchase is made in accordance with the Houston-Galveston Cooperative Program passed on resolution 96-41-48 dated 10/10/1996.
The Houston-Galveston Cooperative Program is administered by the Houston-Galveston Area Council Cooperative. All products and services included in this cooperative were competitively bid and awarded by the Cooperative's Board of Trustees based upon Texas statutes.
Due to the lack of small, minority, and/or women businesses available to provide these goods, the SBEDA Program did not apply to this solicitation.
The recommended award is an exception to the Local Preference Program.
The Veteran-Owned Small Business Preference Program does not apply to goods/supplies contracts, so no preference was applied to this contract.
ALTERNATIVES:
All of the equipment to be replaced is reaching the end of their service life. The replacement is necessary to ensure that SAFD maintains compliance with the latest NFPA 1981 standard for SCBAs and to provide essential services to the residents of San Antonio.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The purchase of 555 SCBA's and accessories is for a total net cost of $3,771,632.44. The purchase will be funded through a Tax-Exempt Lease Purchase Agreement, or other financial obligations, contingent on the execution of a lease program schedule or other issuance approved by subsequent Ordinance.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the approval of the contract with Municipal Emergency Services, Inc. to provide 555 SCBA's and accessories for a total net cost of $3,771,632.44. This contract is procured by means of a request for offer and a Contracts Disclosure Form is not required.