REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MINDY CASTO, Chief of Police
Police Department
BY: BURKE FARRAH, Police Deputy Chief
Support Division
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to the Fresno Police Department Helicopter “Skywatch” Unit
1. Affirm City Manager’s determination that Safran Helicopter Engines USA Inc. is Uniquely Qualified to provide service and support of our helicopter’s engines; and
2. Authorize the City Manager or designee to enter into a four-year contract expiring June 6, 2030 with Safran Helicopter Engines USA Inc. in an amount not to exceed $550,000 annually (or $2,200,000 over four years) for continued participation in Safran’s Support By the Hour (SBH) program.
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that Council affirm City Manager’s determination that Safran Helicopter Engines USA Inc. is Uniquely Qualified to provide service and support for our helicopter engines and authorize the City Manager or designee to execute the agreement with Safran Helicopter Engines USA Inc., for four years for the continued participation in the Safran’s Support By the Hour (SBH) program to ensure continued mechanical support for the Arrius 2F and Arriel 2D turbine powered engines, in an amount not to exceed $550,000 annually (or $2,200,000 over four years).
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Fresno Police Department and Safran Helicopter Engines USA Inc. have mutually agreed to enter a new contract, which will supersede the existing contract, to provide mechanical support for the turbine engines and all engine related parts contained in the department’s three helicopters. This new contract is necessary to update contract language to include the Arriel 2D engine of the newly acquired Airbus H125 helicopter and to solidify the hourly rate for maintenance and support over the next four years.
BACKGROUND
The Arrius 2F and Arriel 2D turbine engines used to power the department’s helicopters require continual maintenance due to complex nature of the engines and to adhere to the regulatory requirements established by the Federal Aviation Administration, the manufacturer recommended maintenance schedules, and airworthiness directives. Maintenance of our engines falls within one of four levels of maintenance, depending on the depth and complexity. Levels one and two maintenances are typically completed by our two full-time employed aviation mechanics, and the work is completed at our facility. When maintenance requires specialized tools, it is beyond the training and expertise of our mechanics, or falls within levels three or four maintenance categories, the engine is sent to the manufacturer for in depth service, repair, or overhaul.
Safran Helicopter Engines USA Inc. manufactures, services, repairs, and overhauls the Arrius 2F engine that powers our Airbus EC120 helicopters and the Arriel 2D engine that powers our Airbus H125 helicopter. Safran Helicopter Engines is the only authorized company in the United States that is certified as a repair center for warranty requirements. As the manufacturer of our engines, Safran maintains proprietary rights over parts and some tools required during maintenance. Having engineered and developed each of the engines, Safran Helicopter Engines serve as the leading expert for their engine’s maintenance, performance, and any established industry trends.
We have partnered with Safran Helicopter Engines USA Inc. since 2004 and have an outstanding relationship with them. Safran Helicopter Engines USA Inc’s. reputation within the aviation industry is unparalleled.
In 2004, shortly after the acquisition of the EC120 helicopters, the Fresno Police Department entered into an engine maintenance and support agreement with Safran, commonly referred to as "Support By the Hour" (SBH), to provide service and support of each helicopter’s Arrius 2F engine. The SBH program enables the Fresno Police Department to pay an hourly rate for each hour flown on the engine. The cost of engine overhauls, engine related parts and other valuable services are factored in the hourly rate. The number of hours flown on each engine is reported at the end of each month and we receive a monthly invoice for the service.
Safran's Support By the Hour (SBH) allows the cost of an engine overhaul, engine related parts, and other services to be distributed monthly in advance and there is no additional charge when an engine overhaul or engine parts are required.
Safran's Support By the Hour (SBH) allows for the use of a loaner engine during an engine overhaul, allowing the aircraft to be flown when it would otherwise be grounded. Additionally, Safran provides specialized tools and lubricants needed for an engine exchange at no cost. Safran's SBH covers the cost of testing all engine oil samples between engine overhauls. Service support from Safran's production and maintenance experts is available and a field service representative responds to assist with maintenance when needed.
The hourly cost of the SBH service increases four percent at the beginning of each calendar year. The current SBH hourly rate for the Arrius 2F engine is $284.49. The current SBH hourly rate for the Arriel 2D engine is $293.37. Since the Arriel 2D engine was part of the recent Airbus H125 helicopter purchase, it came with a warranty of 3 years or 2,000 hours, whichever comes first. During the warranty period, the Arriel 2D engine qualifies for a 20% discount on the hourly rate. The discounted hourly rate for the Arriel 2D engine is $234.70. Early enrollment of the Arriel 2D engine (with less than 25 logged hours) into the SBH program will avoid having to buy into the program later. A later enrollment of the Arriel 2D engine would require purchasing the number of hours logged on the engine at the time of enrollment. The monthly SBH service cost will fluctuate based on the number of hours flown on each engine at their specific hourly rate. In fiscal year 2025, the SBH cost was $428,725 for the number of flight hours the unit flew during the fiscal year.
Safran Support By the Hour maintenance and support program enhances the efficiency of the air support unit's operation by reducing the time our helicopters are grounded during engine overhauls. It also provides consistency to fiscal management of the unit by avoiding spikes in the budget and allows for more consistent budget planning. The Support By the Hour (SBH) agreement is a trademarked document and Safran is the sole source provider of this service. For these reasons, I am requesting Safran be deemed a uniquely qualified service support provider.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
This is not a “project” for the purposes of CEQA, pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference is not applicable because there are no local companies that are able to provide a similar service. See the associated “Uniquely Qualified” memo.
FISCAL IMPACT
Helicopter maintenance is an annually budgeted item within the Fresno Police Department’s general fund budget and in grant funds.
Attachments:
Uniquely Qualified memo
Safran Support By the Hour Agreement