REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: BILLY ALCORN, Fire Chief
Fresno Fire Department
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to the Fresno Fire Department’s Firefighting Turnouts:
1. Award a three (3) year sole source contract, not to exceed $2,700,000 to LN Curtis (Curtis Tools for Heroes) for the purchase of Globe firefighting turnouts as a sole-source provider based on unique features only available with Globe turnouts.
2. *** RESOLUTION - Adopt Resolution authorizing the Fire Department Chief or designee to enter into a three (3) year contract with Curtis Tools for Heroes without advertised competitive bidding. (Subject to Mayor’s Veto)
Body
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends City Council adopt a resolution suspending competitive bidding under the sole source exception; award a three (3) year contract, not to exceed $2,700,000 to Curtis Tools for Heroes, exclusive regional distributor for the purchase of Globe turnouts as a sole-source provider based on unique features and overall test results of major manufacturers.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Fire Department, as part of its ongoing personal protective equipment (PPE) replacement plan for turnouts, projects up to 460 sets will need replacement between FY 2024 and FY 2027. With the expiration of its current supplier contract in FY 2023, a new contract is required starting in FY 2024. According to NFPA 1851, turnouts are intended to have a 10-year life span. This recommended standard has also been adopted by Cal-OSHA. Turnouts from major suppliers were tested and evaluated by a committee of members of the Fresno Fire Department. This test was completed in 2020 and is intended to be completed every 5 years. The Globe turnouts rated most favorable from composite test scores related to safety, heat resistance, insulation materials, and mobility factors among others.
The $2,700,000 not to exceed amount also includes the cost of turnouts for one (1) attrition drill school per year over the next three (3) years. The Fire Department is estimating 26 recruits per drill school. This could change based upon the department’s annual attrition rates. FY 2024 portion of this agreement will be funded through ARPA funds already appropriated ($350,000) and the ARPA AAR reappropriating funding for the attrition drill school ($1,500,000).
BACKGROUND
Turnouts are the most essential part of firefighters PPE. It is the equipment that separates and protects firefighters from heat, smoke, and flame. Turnouts must provide firefighters with heat protection as well as mobility and ventilation for rescue situations. Per NFPA, certified turnout gear consists of three layers of materials, together called a composite, which is made up of an outer shell, a moisture barrier, and a thermal liner.
Each of the Fire Departments 375 firefighters has two sets of turnouts. Turnouts typically have a 10-year life depending on wear and tear (Cal-OSHA and NFPA recommend turnouts be replaced after 10 years maximum). Due to the life expectancy of turnouts, the Fire Department expects to replace nearly 460 sets over the next three (3) fiscal years. The majority will be replaced in FY 2026.
An existing contract with Curtis Tools for Heroes, who is the area’s exclusive distributor for Globe turnouts, expired in FY 2023. With a new contract pending, members of the Fire Department’s PPE Committee contacted distributors from California’s three main turnout manufacturers: Globe, Morning Pride, and Lion. Globe and Lion provided their turnouts with all essential specs for testing and evaluation purposes. Therefore, the department moved forward with testing the Globe and Lion turnouts.
The turnouts from both manufacturers were put through a series of tests and evaluation scores were derived based on a number of important criteria.
The key area that made Globe turnouts unique was that the tailoring and flexible materials in the garment gave firefighters greater overall wear - range of motion (agility) and breathability. These are extremely important factors when considering that during fires, members are carrying heavy hoses, possibly retrieving victims, climbing ladders, and moving about in tight spaces. In addition, Globe introduced a technology called Globe Guard, which provides increased protection against cancer causing carcinogens. Because these attributes could not be matched by the competing manufacturer, the Fire Department deems Globe turnouts to have unique safety characteristics that only their garments offer. As such, they are the only manufacturer to offer these resources within their turnouts.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
This item is not a project as defined by CEQA.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
This contract would be awarded as a sole source, meaning local preference would not apply since there is a single provider of the specified equipment.
FISCAL IMPACT
ARPA funds ($350,000) have been adopted in the FY 2024 Budget for the 100 replacement sets as well as the reappropriation of funds through the ARPA AAR 2023-185 ($1,500,000) for Drill School costs. General Fund will be requested to purchase the replacement turnouts and turnouts for Drill School or new employee needs in FY 2025 and FY 2026.
Below are the Fire Department’s estimates for the replacement needs and necessary equipment needed for new employees in respective fiscal years. Amounts include sales/use tax.
• FY 2024
o 100 replacement sets = $ 396,900
o 52 new sets for Drill School = $ 206,400
• FY 2025
o 110 replacement sets = $ 469,300
o 52 new sets for Drill School = $ 221,800
• FY 2026
o 250 replacement sets = $1,146,600
o 52 new sets for Drill School = $ 238,500
The estimated inflation costs are 7.5% per year per vendor agreement.
Attachments:
Resolution establishing Sole-Source to Curtis Tools for Heroes
Vendor Agreement with Curtis Tools for Heroes