HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 5g. Authorize the Fire Department to purchase a Type 3 Wildland Fire Engine Item 5g
Department: Fire
Cost Center: 402-5008
For Agenda of: 2/21/2023
Placement: Consent
Estimated Time: N/A
FROM: Todd Tuggle, Fire Chief
Prepared By: Nicole Vert, Administrative Analyst
SUBJECT: AUTHORIZE PURCHASE OF A NEW TYPE 3 WILDLAND FIRE ENGINE
RECOMMENDATION
Approve the sole source purchase of a Type 3 Wildland fire Engine in the amount of
$434,920.24
POLICY CONTEXT
The recommended actions are consistent with the City of San Luis Obispo’s Municipal
Code, Section 3.24.060- Sole source purchasing. The policy states that regular bid
procedures can be waived when the item(s) to be purchased can be obtained from only
one vendor or supplier, and when supplies or equipment have been uniformly adopted in
the city or otherwise when standardized.
The purchase is in line with the City’s Fiscal Health Contingency Plan that states focus
will be on retaining “front-line” core services, ensuring the Fire Department’s response to
all types of emergencies will always be reliable and without delay.
DISCUSSION
Background
Emergency vehicles are a vital part of the service delivery for the City of San Luis Obispo
Fire Department. The Type 3 Wildland engine is a critical piece of equipment for rapid
response to vegetation fires on open space areas within and surrounding the city of San
Luis Obispo. This engine sits on a 4x4 chassis and is ideal for responding to vegetation
fires with its ability to manage off -road and variable terrain. This engine is also used widely
in mutual aid throughout the state assisting other agencies in fighting vegetation and
brush fires.
Through the utilization of an internal apparatus committee, staff developed fire engine
specifications that were used to build the pricing for the replacement of the wildland
engine, a 2023 Pierce/BME Type 3 Wildland Fire Engine. The specifications considered
the community’s unique features and sought the most appropriate fire engine to
complement the existing apparatus fleet and authorized funding.
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Item 5g
In accordance with the City’s established fleet replacement cycle and after consulting with
the Fire Vehicle Mechanic, the new fire engine will replace a 16 -year-old engine, which
will be transitioned to reserve status. The new fire engine provides the same capabilities
as the previous engine but with improved safety features, efficiency, and reliability
resulting in less cost and time associated with repair and maintenance.
Fiscal Health Contingency Plan
In response to the damage costs from the January 2023 storms the city activated the
Fiscal Health Contingency Plan that allows for purchases necessary to support daily
operations of essential City services. The Fire Department relies on its fleet to respond to
all emergencies in the city on a daily basis. The Fiscal Health Contingency plan r etains
“front-line” core services, which would include emergency response vehicles. A reliable
fleet to respond to emergencies is vital for the Fire Department in all situations.
Sole Source Purchase Recommended
Staff recommends a sole source purchase award to South Coast Fire Equipment in the
amount of $434,920.24 for the purchase of a 2023 Pierce/BME Type 3 Wildland Engine.
City purchasing guidelines allow for sole source when supplies or equipment in use have
been uniformly adopted by the City or otherwise standardized. The Pierce fire engine has
been the standard apparatus for the City of San Luis Obispo for the last quarter century.
South Coast Fire Equipment, the sole provider of Pierce engines in this region, is
providing the purchasing quote (Attachment A) for the pumper at the base price reflective
of a nationally utilized cooperative purchasing agreement. Used as a pricing standard
throughout the fire service, this master contract is commonly known as the HGAC, or
Houston Galveston Area Council Cooperative Purchasing Agreement. While the City is
not purchasing through HGAC, the City’s price for this apparatus is the same as this
cooperative purchasing agreement.
The Fire Department has made significant parts, equipment, and training inves tment in
maintaining Pierce-manufactured apparatus. Fire fleet already has an inventory of spare
parts, filters, and maintenance items specific to the Pierce fire apparatus platform.
Additionally, the Fire Department’s Fire Vehicle Mechanic is specially tr ained to provide
maintenance to Pierce manufactured fire apparatus.
Public Engagement
This item is a business item for the February 21, 2023, City Council meeting and will
follow all required postings and notifications. The public will have an opportunity to
comment on this item at or before the meeting.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The California Environmental Quality Act does not apply to the recommended action in
this report, because the action does not constitute a “Project” under CEQA Guidelines
Sec. 15378.
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Item 5g
FISCAL IMPACT
Budgeted: Yes Budget Year: 2022-23
Funding Identified: Yes
Fiscal Analysis:
Funding
Sources
Total Budget
Available
Current
Funding
Request
Remaining
Balance
Annual
Ongoing
Cost
General Fund $500,000 $434,920 $ 65,080 $0
State
Federal
Fees
Other:
Total $500,000 $434,920 $65,080 $0
The 2021-23 Financial Plan allocated $500,000 this fiscal year to purchase the new
Wildland engine. The engine will be paid in full upon purchase avoiding the need for debt
financing and associated costs. The remaining $65,080 is needed to complete the vehicle
build-up. The build-up items include radios, hose and tools necessary on an engine that
are purchased separately. The department will utilize all funds for the buildup applying
cost saving measures attempt to remain in budget.
ALTERNATIVES
Deny the sole source purchase. Staff does not recommend this as the funds are
approved as part of the budget. Delaying the purchase will jeopardize the reliability of the
Fire Department’s apparatus fleet and likely result in significant replacement cost
increases due to current market conditions.
ATTACHMENTS
A - South Coast Quote for Type 3 Wildland Engine
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