REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: BRIAN BARR, Director
General Services Department
BY: MIGUEL RAMIREZ, Senior Management Analyst
General Services Department
SUBJECT
Title
Approve the award of a Purchase Contract to Cook’s Communications Corp. of Fresno, California, for the purchase of 30 sets of patrol vehicle hardware and safety equipment in the amount of $704,195.40 for the Police Department (Bid File 12601719)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends Council approve the award of a Purchase Contract to Cook’s Communications Corp. of Fresno, California, for the purchase of 30 sets of patrol vehicle hardware and safety equipment in the amount of $704,195.40 for the Police Department.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
A Purchase Contract for 30 marked patrol Dodge Durango Pursuit vehicles was approved by Council on March 26, 2026. To complete the buildout of these vehicles, the patrol vehicle hardware and installation was competitively bid. This equipment includes radios, computers, internal barriers, prisoner partitions, and emergency lighting necessary to carry out law enforcement duties. To align with the fiscal and operational needs of the department, the patrol vehicle hardware will be ordered in FY2026 and financed in FY2027 through the Master Equipment Lease Purchase Agreement with the first payment estimated to be $79,425 in FY2027. The Purchasing Division notified multiple vendors to gain interest, and three bids were received, including one from a vendor located within the City of Fresno.
BACKGROUND
With an emphasis on community partnerships, the Police Department is responsible for daily policing operations within the City of Fresno. The overall goal of the Police Department is to maintain the highest level of service while keeping our community safe. To accomplish this goal, officers utilize 441 active marked units to conduct daily patrols, respond to emergency calls, and proactively engage in community outreach.
Patrol vehicles serve as the primary resource for officers, housing all critical tools needed for effective policing. Once a patrol vehicle is built by the manufacturer, it will be delivered directly to Cook’s Communications for upfitting. At this facility the new unit will receive radios, internal barriers, prisoner partitions, and emergency lighting. The units will then be delivered to the Fresno Municipal Service Center where Fleet will complete final quality control inspections.
The computer equipment will be purchased separately through a Requirements Contract awarded by Council in 2023, to Stommel Inc., dba Lehr Automotive. The computer equipment purchase is valued at $234,242 and will be provided to Cook’s Communications for installation.
Competitive bids were solicited for 30 sets of patrol vehicle hardware and safety equipment (Bid File 12601719) on March 9, 2026. Planet Bids notified 500 vendors and the specifications were downloaded by four potential bidders. The Fleet Management Division and Purchasing Division contacted vendors located within the City of Fresno limits to gain interest, and one City of Fresno vendor submitted a responsive bid. Three bids were received and opened publicly on March 24, 2026. Cook’s Communications Corp. was determined to be the lowest responsive and responsible bidder with a total bid price of $704,195.40. The contract amount of $704,195.40 includes the patrol vehicle hardware, radios, delivery, installation and local sales tax at 8.35%. The vehicles, patrol vehicle upfit, and computers will be financed under one escrow account in FY2027 through the Master Equipment Lease Purchase Agreement. The Purchasing Division has approved this contract and recommends Council to approve.
The City Attorney has reviewed and approved to form.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDING
By the definition provided in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378, the award of this contract does not qualify as a “project” as defined by CEQA.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference is applicable to this award, and Cook’s Communications Corp., of Fresno, CA is a local business pursuant to FMC 4-108.
FISCAL IMPACT
General Funds will be used to lease purchase 30 sets of patrol vehicle hardware and safety equipment for the Police Department. The patrol vehicle hardware and installation will be financed through the Master Equipment Lease Purchase Agreement (MELPA) with the first payment estimated to be $79,425 in FY2027. The funding to cover the biannual lease payments is included in the annual budget request for appropriations under the operations of the Police Department.
Attachment:
Bid Evaluation 12601719