REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: BILLY ALCORN, Interim Fire Chief
Fire Department
BY: WILLIAM VEIGA, Battalion Chief
Fire Department
SUBJECT
Title
Approve the award of a purchase contract to Bauer Compressors, Inc., California, for the purchase of MSA-G1 Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) in the amount of $4,410,060.71 for the Fire Department (Bid File 12302062).
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends Council approve the award of a purchase contract to Bauer Compressors, Inc. of Livermore, California for the purchase of MSA-G1 Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) in the amount of $4,410,060.71.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Fresno Fire Department is requesting approval to purchase MSA-G1 SCBA’s. The replacement equipment includes 398 SCBA packs, 790 SCBA bottles, 499 masks, and ancillary equipment. Included in the SCBA purchase is all the associated supporting equipment such as batteries and chargers, the conversion of all our fire apparatus to support the new SCBA’s, and training needed to support their use.
Bids were received and reviewed on April 25, 2023. There were 2 proposals received and Bauer Compressors, Inc was the lowest bidder.
BACKGROUND
On April 7, 2023, a Notice Inviting Bids (Bid File 12302062) was published in the Business Journal and on Planet Bids with links available on the City’s website. The bid was for the complete conversion and replacement of the Fire Departments SCBAs. Two firms responded to the bid.
SCBAs are devices used in the fire service which enable firefighters to enter atmospheric conditions which are immediately dangerous to life and health. The National Fire Protection Association standard for SCBA’s recommends replacement after fifteen years. The department SCBA’s and air bottles will reach this time frame in calendar year 2023.
With the aging and heavily used equipment, the department is seeing failures, which in turn, could cause injury to firefighters. The newer SCBA models are not interchangeable with our current model. Once the bid is approved by Council, the purchase and delivery of the needed equipment is expected for November 2023. Consistent with other lease purchase acquisitions, Council approves the lease purchase in the first year of the budget which allows the City to enter into contract authority with the leasing agency and allows departments to follow procurement processes. The first lease payments are usually budgeted a year following when equipment is expected to be delivered or built.
The purchase of the MSA G1 SCBA would put us in line with our neighboring fire departments (Clovis and Fresno County) who have already migrated to the new SCBA model. Having the same equipment as our neighbors increases fireground interoperability and supports operational area policy of rescuing downed firefighters.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
This item is not a project as defined by CEQA.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference is applicable to this award, however no local businesses pursuant to FMC 4-108 submitted a bid.
FISCAL IMPACT
General Fund will be used to lease purchase the MSA-G1 SCBAs. Council has approved the 10-year lease purchase in the FY 2023 Adopted Budget (pg. B-80). The first lease payment is anticipated in FY 2024 and has been included in the FY 2024 Proposed Budget.
Attachment: Bid Evaluation 12302062