DEPARTMENT: Finance
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Troy Elliott
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Rescue Equipment for the San Antonio Fire Department
SUMMARY:
This ordinance authorizes the acceptance of an offer from Municipal Emergency Services, Inc. in the amount of $53,990.00 to provide the Fire Department’s Rescue Team with a one-time purchase of two sets of rescue cutters and accessories to be used during traffic accidents where victims are trapped in their vehicles. Funding for this contract is available through the Fire Department General Fund FY 2017 Budget.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Submitted for City Council consideration and action is the offer submitted by Municipal Emergency Services for a one-time purchase of two sets of rescue cutters and accessories utilizing a Public Health and Safety Exemption. These Hurst Endraulic rescue tools, as determined by the Fire Tool and Safety Committee, are the safest emergency tools available, with high pressure capability to cut through ultra-high strength steel (UHSS). Municipal Emergency Services is the authorized distributor for Hurst Endraulic rescue tools for the state of Texas.
In the last few years, automobile manufacturers have changed the way cars are built by using lighter weight ultra-high strength steel. In order to keep up with the use of this newer material, hydraulic tool manufacturers have made drastic improvements to their hydraulic cutters and spreaders. The new tools are capable of cutting ultra-high strength steel, which requires a pressure of 269,000 psi enabling Fire to successfully extricate more individuals from wrecked automobiles.
ISSUE:
This contract will provide the San Antonio Fire Department with a vendor to provide rescue cutters and accessories to be utilized during emergencies involving vehicle accidents where victims are trapped in their vehicles.
This contract is within the scope of the SBEDA Program. However, due to lack of available firms and/or subcontracting opportunities, the Goal Setting Committee was unable to apply a SBEDA tool to this contract.
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:
Should this procurement not be approved, the San Antonio Fire Department will not have the benefit of the new equipment technology available to cut ultra-high strength steel (UHSS). The current inventory of 18 sets of rescue equipment were manufactured over 10 years ago and are not designed to cut ultra-high strength steel.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This contract authorizes a contract with Municipal Emergency Services for the total amount of $53,990.00. Funding is available in the Fire Department General Fund FY 2017 Budget.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of a contract with Municipal Emergency Services for the procurement of rescue cutters and accessories to be utilized during traffic emergencies involving vehicle accidents. The total cost for this one-time purchase is $53,990.00.
This contract was procured by means of a Public Health or safety Exemption and a Contracts Disclosure Form is not required.