REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
March 19, 2020
FROM: GREGORY A. BARFIELD, Director
Department of Transportation
BY: BRIAN BARR, Assistant Director
Department of Transportation
Tim Olday, Fleet Manager
Department of Transportation/Public Safety Fleet Division
SUBJECT
Title
Approve the award of a purchase contract to Swanson Fahrney Ford of Selma, California, for the purchase of five hybrid police patrol sport utility vehicles in the amount of $201,584.49 (Bid File 3713)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends Council approve the award of a purchase contract to Swanson Fahrney Ford of Selma, California, for the purchase of five hybrid police patrol sport utility vehicles (SUV) in the amount of $201,584.49.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Department of Transportation/Public Safety Fleet Division and the Police Department are requesting approval to purchase five new Ford hybrid pursuit rated police patrol SUVs for daily law enforcement operations. The patrol units will replace units that have surpassed their economic and useful lifecycle within the Police Department patrol fleet.
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 communities safe. Maintaining vehicles in a good state of repair is critical to this mission, as vehicles are used to transport officers while providing public safety services throughout the city.
The Public Safety Fleet Division is responsible for the procurement, maintenance, and disposal of vehicles operated by the Police Department. The five SUVs will be used for police patrol operations throughout the city. The selected Ford hybrid police patrol SUV will provide the assigned officers with an emergency response vehicle. It will be equipped with emergency lighting, police communications radios and computer, prisoner restraint, and safety equipment.
Ford Motor Company is currently the only provider of hybrid pursuit rated police patrol vehicles. Purchasing the five hybrid vehicles will provide valuable information regarding the benefits and deficiencies of implementing a hybrid based powertrain in the patrol fleet. Based upon Ford’s estimates and the department average miles driven per year, each hybrid has the potential to save roughly $3,000 per vehicle per year in fuel savings over a conventionally powered vehicle. The Police Department will evaluate the performance of these vehicles in daily policing operations for future purchases. The hybrid units will replace currently in service units that have exceeded their economic and useful lifecycle within the Police Department patrol fleet.
Competitive bids were posted in the Fresno Business Journal on November 29, 2019. Ten specifications were distributed to prospective bidders. The public bid opening took place on December 20, 2019, resulting in one bid received. Swanson Fahrney Ford and was determined to be responsive and responsible as the sole bidder. If the proposal is rejected by Council, the project will be re-bid, resulting in a delay of approximately 90 days.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDING
By the definition provided in the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines Section 15378, the award of this contract does not qualify as a project; therefore, it is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act requirements.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference is not applicable. The lowest responsive and responsible bidder is a local vendor.
FISCAL IMPACT
The City of Fresno has completed a Master Equipment Lease Purchase Agreement (MELPA) that will be used to finance police patrol SUVs. The MELPA allows the City to expedite financing of certain equipment that is approved for purchase and financing where competitive procurement, budgeting, and appropriation requirements are completed. Due to the utilization of MELPA financing, no charges against the City will be incurred during FY20, this is due to a Ford Motor Company delay in published pricing. The projected scheduling of the project indicates there will be ten lease payments due biannually beginning in FY21 for five years. Lease budget allocations will be increased for FY21 and future years for this police vehicle lease schedule to account for the budget discrepancy of this purchase.
Attachment:
Ford Interceptor Brochure
Bid Evaluation 3713