DEPARTMENT: Finance
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Troy Elliott
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Purchase of Thermal Imaging Cameras for the San Antonio Fire Department
SUMMARY:
This ordinance authorizes a contract with Allen W. Huelsebusch dba ADH Marketing to provide the San Antonio Fire Department (SAFD) with 25 each Scott X380 Thermal Imaging Cameras for a total cost of $199,750.00. These cameras are used by firefighters during emergency calls to enhance situational awareness by fully interpreting a fire scene and making better, more informed tactical decisions. Funding for this purchase is available in the FY 2018 General Fund Budget.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Submitted for City Council consideration and action is the offer submitted by Allen W. Huelsebusch dba ADH Marketing for the one-time purchase of 25 each Scott X380 Thermal Imaging Cameras for a total cost of $199,750.00. The SAFD currently has 85 thermal imaging cameras in its inventory. This purchase will replace the oldest cameras currently in SAFD’s inventory which have reached the end of their service life.
The SAFD utilizes thermal imaging camera technology to see through smoke in order to identify hazards from a much greater distance and to locate and rescue fire victims in less time. SAFD staff is currently trained on the Scott brand of thermal imaging cameras. These new cameras represent a product upgrade that includes new technology such as the hot and cold spot tracker, 2x and 4x zoom feature, pointing laser, longer battery life, higher pixel resolution and increased shutter speed.
Based upon recent testing of five different brands of thermal imaging cameras by the Fire Department’s Tool and Equipment Committee, the Scott X380 was favored by a majority of the evaluators during live burn and field testing phases.
This equipment is procured by means of a Public Health or Safety Exemption to competitive bidding.
ISSUE:
This contract will provide the SAFD with the purchase of 25 each Scott X380 Thermal Imaging Cameras used during emergency calls by the SAFD personnel. The SAFD Tool and Equipment Committee have recommended the purchase of the Scott X380 brand of thermal imaging camera. These cameras shall be purchased with a five year warranty.
The Small Business Economic Development Advocacy (SBEDA) Ordinance requirements were waived due to the lack of small, minority, and/or women businesses available to provide these goods and services.
There were no bids submitted from local bidders for this contract; therefore, the Local Preference Program was not applied.
The Veteran-Owned Business Program does not apply to good/supplies contracts, so no preference was applied to this contract.
ALTERNATIVES:
Should this contract not be approved, the Fire Department would be out of compliance with the National Fire Protection Association standard mandating that every fire apparatus carry a thermal imaging camera for the safety and welfare of firefighters. Without these cameras, firefighting teams would be required to enter and search buildings without the enhanced visual capability provided by thermal imaging.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This ordinance authorizes a contract with Allen W. Huelsebusch dba ADH Marketing to provide the San Antonio Fire Department (SAFD) with 25 each Scott X380 Thermal Imaging Cameras for a total cost of $199,750.00. These cameras are used by firefighters during emergency calls to enhance situational awareness by fully interpreting a fire scene and making better, more informed tactical decisions. Funding for this purchase is available in the FY 2018 General Fund Budget.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the approval of this one-time purchase with Allen W. Huelsebusch dba ADH Marketing for 25 each Scott X380 Thermal Imaging Cameras for a total cost of $199,750.00.
This contract is procured through a Public Health and Safety Exemption basis and a Contracts Disclosure Form is not required.