REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: BILLY ALCORN, Fire Chief
Fresno City Fire Department
BY: JONATHAN CHEW, Deputy Fire Chief
Fresno City Fire Department
SUBJECT
Title
Award a Contract to TargetSolution Learning, LLC d.b.a. Vector Solutions for the Learning Management System (LMS) Software Solicitation for five years in a total amount not to exceed $164,750 (Bid File 12501076)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Council approve a Contract with TargetSolutions Learning, LLC d.b.a. Vector Solutions for our Learning Management Solutions (LMS) for five years in a total amount not to exceed $164,750.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
On August 20, 2024, the Department initiated the process of exploring vendors to procure a new LMS to enhance training and compliance capabilities. Following this effort, a Request for Proposal (RFP) contract for LMS software was formally posted on Planet Bids on December 20, 2024, resulting in 15 vendor submissions. After evaluating each vendor’s specifications against the Department’s list of requirements, the field was narrowed to five vendors, of which four presented their proposals and demonstrated their software for the selection committee consisting of FFD and ISD personnel on April 9, 2025. Subsequently, Clarion Events Inc. (Fire Engineering Training) and Vector Solutions were selected as the two finalists. Both presented their proposals and demonstrations on May 6, 2025.
Although Clarion Events offered certain innovative features, including an intuitive user interface and conditional content release, the solution lacks key capabilities necessary for the Department's administrative and compliance training. In addition, adopting a new LMS platform would require substantial data migration, retraining, and integration efforts. The selection committee determined that none of the other proposals sufficiently meet the current and future training needs of both firefighters and administrative personnel in the Department without introducing significant operational risk. Therefore, staff recommends entering into contract with TargetSolutions Learning, LLC d.b.a. Vector Solutions.
BACKGROUND
Since 2009, FFD has relied on TargetSolutions LMS to support firefighter and administrative staff training. The RFP process initiated 2024 sought to evaluate emerging solutions with the potential to modernize the Department's LMS platform. Evaluation criteria included: core curriculum creation, user interface and administrative experience, customization and flexibility, tracking, reporting, and compliance, and support and integration.
Although the Department entered into a contract with TargetSolutions in January 2024, the current solicitation represents a departure from that agreement. The decision to pursue a new contract was driven by the need to reassess available LMS solutions through a competitive process and ensure alignment with evolving training, compliance, and reporting requirements. This new contract reflects the outcome of that process and establishes a new five-year agreement with TargetSolutions Learning, LLC d.b.a. Vector Solutions.
Based on demo scoring results, Clarion Events scored slightly higher overall (4.17 average vs. 4.07 for Vector Solutions). However, Clarion Events was unable to fully address the Department's requirements for producing CICCS Incident Qualification Cards (Red Cards), generate FCC ISA and JAC reports which are required for monthly reporting, and deliver comprehensive compliance training mandated by the City for all personnel.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
By the definition provided in the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines Section 15378 this item does not qualify as a “project” and is therefore exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act requirements.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
The local preference was not applied because the recommended vendor is not a local business and no local vendor met the evaluation criteria.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact on the General Fund from this request.
Attachments:
Bid Evaluation of Bid Proposal
Sample Agreement