DEPARTMENT: Finance
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Troy Elliot
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Single Engine Turbine Helicopter
SUMMARY:
This ordinance authorizes acceptance of a contract with Airbus Helicopters, Inc. to provide the San Antonio Police Department with a single engine turbine helicopter for a total cost of $3,150,389.00. Of this amount, $2,832,259.00 will be financed 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, and the balance of $318,130.00 for training and travel costs will be funded from the Police operating fund contingent upon subsequent FY16 and future fiscal year budget approvals.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Submitted for City Council consideration and action is the attached tabulation of one bid submitted by Airbus Helicopters, Inc. to provide the San Antonio Police Department with one Airbus Model EC120B single turbine engine helicopter for a total cost of $3,150,389.00.
An Invitation for Bid was issued for one single engine turbine helicopter for use by the Police Department Helicopter Detail. The helicopter will be utilized and operated in urban environments to provide air support to uniformed, field, and covert police units.
The Helicopter Replacement Committee, through the San Antonio Police Officers Association (SAPOA) Labor Relations Committee (LRC), conducted extensive testing and evaluation to make a recommendation for the requirements and specifications for the replacement of two Sikorsky S333 patrol helicopters with one new helicopter. Due to their age and increased maintenance requirements, these helicopters are no longer in service and are in the process of being sold. The LRC reviews equipment requirements in support of law enforcement operations. As a result of the review, the committee submitted specifications to the San Antonio Police Department that meet the requirement of the Helicopter Detail and promote competitive bidding.
Helicopters must meet current airworthiness directives at the time of delivery and must include a standard airworthiness certificate issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The City may conduct two scheduled plant inspections during the production of the aircraft. Standard pilot transition flight training courses designed to familiarize 20 helicopters pilots with the operations of the new helicopters and one mechanic training course is included in this contract and will be scheduled by the San Antonio Police Department Helicopter Detail.
ISSUE:
This contract will provide one single engine turbine helicopter to the City’s helicopter fleet. The City of San Antonio currently owns and operates three Airbus helicopters. SAPD is in the process of selling two Sikorsky S333 helicopters purchased in 1999 and 2006 which are no longer in service. The new helicopter will replace these two Sikorsky helicopters. This will bring SAPD’s Helicopter fleet to a total of four.
This contract consists of the purchase of one Airbus single Model EC120B helicopter, progress inspections, flight training courses, a mechanic training course and associated travel costs. The City will conduct two progress inspections at one third and two thirds completion of the helicopter.
This contract is within the scope of the Small Business Economic Development Advocacy (SBEDA) Program, however the requirements were waived due to the lack of qualified small, minority, or women-owned businesses available to provide the required goods and services.
The recommended award is in accordance with LPP. There were no bids submitted from local bidders for this contract; therefore, the Local Preference Program was not applied.
The Veteran-Owned Small Business Preference Program Ordinance does not apply to goods/supplies contracts, so no preference was applied to this contract.
ALTERNATIVES:
Should this contract not be approved, the San Antonio Police Department’s will not be able to replace the two aged Sikorsky S333 patrol helicopters. This may lead to added down time and lead to the operation of existing helicopters at substandard safety levels due to the lack of optimal maintenance. Necessary maintenance and the costs of replacement parts will continue to increase over time.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total cost of this contract is $3,150,389.00 made payable to Airbus Helicopters, Inc. Of the $3,150,389.00, $2,832,259.00 is for the purchase of the helicopter which will be paid 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. The balance of $318,130.00 will be for pilot training and travel costs. Of the $318,130.00, $13,330.00 will be paid in FY 2016 through the police operating budget, contingent on FY 2016 budget approval. The remainder will be paid in future years contingent on budget approval.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the approval of a contract for the purchase of one single turbine engine helicopter with Airbus Helicopters, Inc. for a total cost of $3,150,389.00. This contract was procured on the basis of low bid and a Contracts Disclosure Form is not required.