DEPARTMENT: Finance
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Troy Elliott
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
San Antonio Fire Department Ballistic Gear
SUMMARY:
This Ordinance accepts the offer from Safety Supply, Inc. for the purchase of ballistic response equipment for the San Antonio Fire Department (SAFD) for a total cost of $136,498.50. Funding is available from the FY 2019 General Fund Budget.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
This contract will provide the SAFD with the ballistic equipment needed to respond to single and multiple hostile incidents in the event of catastrophic or terrorist incidents. The SAFD is revamping their entire approach to emergency service delivery by making preparations to provide the highest level possible of emergency medical care for the community and its residents during active shooter, complex coordinated attacks, and asymmetric warfare incidents. These innovations require ballistic protection for the medics and personnel who will be at risk while in the performance of their duties.
With the number of mass shootings continuing to rise nationwide, including Texas localities, there is a need for first responders to be properly equipped with ballistic response equipment in order to engage active shooters during these types of incidents. SAFD has determined new requirements for updated response strategies, enhanced protection and innovative tactics to protect medics and firefighters during hostile incidents.
This equipment will be utilized by all first responders assigned to a Rescue Task Force composed of Firefighters, EMS, Incident Commanders from all Ladder Companies, Technical Rescue teams, and Force Protection, which is composed of Arson Bureau.
The Rescue Task Force will receive “Active Threat Integrated Response” training from SAPD SWAT which is tactical response and tactics, tactical medicine, and weapons familiarization.
This purchase is being made in accordance with the State of Texas Cooperative Purchasing Agreement adopted by the City of San Antonio through resolution No. 91-39-53 on September 12, 1991.
ISSUE:
This contract will provide the San Antonio Fire Department with the required equipment needed to respond to single and multiple hostile incidents during catastrophic or terrorist incidents.
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 purchase not be approved, the San Antonio Fire Department would not be properly equipped with the ballistic response equipment required to protect medics and other personnel while performing their duties or while in response to acts of terrorism or other hostile incidents.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This Ordinance accepts the offer from Safety Supply, Inc. for the purchase of ballistic response equipment for the San Antonio Fire Department (SAFD) for a total cost of $136,498.50. Funding is available from the FY 2019 General Fund Budget.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the approval of this purchase with Safety Supply Inc. for a total cost of $136,498.50.
This contract is procured by means of a cooperative purchasing and a Contracts Disclosure Form is not required.