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RTC#03-221

June 17, 2003

SUBJECT:

Award of Bid #F0202-70 for Fire Protective Clothing (RTC#03-221)

REPORT IN BRIEF

Approval is requested for the award of two contracts for fire protective clothing to establish stock inventory for the Department of Public Safety: one contract to L. N. Curtis & Sons, Inc., of Oakland and the other to Allstar Fire Equipment, Inc., of Hayward.

BACKGROUND

In the past, the Department of Public Safety (DPS) Fire Operations staff have routinely purchased fire protective clothing, including turnout jackets and pants, gloves and helmets, directly from suppliers, using blanket purchase orders and purchasing cards. In addition to purchasing clothing on an "as needed" basis, a small inventory of clothing has been stocked at DPS and held in reserve to meet emergency and routine replacement needs.

Recently, DPS has been working with Purchasing/Central Stores to develop a program whereby fire protective clothing will be ordered, stocked and issued through Central Stores. This will relieve DPS Fire Operations staff of the time and effort they have historically expended outfitting new Officers entering the Fire Academy and maintaining fire protective clothing for all Officers.

DISCUSSION

Specifications were prepared by Purchasing and DPS staff; and Invitation for Bids #F0202-70 was distributed to West Coast suppliers and broadcast to other potential bidders through the DemandStar by Onvia public procurement network. Bidders were required to submit with their bids samples of fire protective clothing manufactured to the City's specifications.

Twenty-two suppliers requested bid documents. Sealed bids were publicly opened on May 21, 2003.

Five bids were received, as follows:

Bidders

 

L. N. Curtis & Sons, Inc., of Oakland, CA

 

Allstar Fire Equipment Inc., of Hayward, CA

 

Special T Fire Equipment of Modesto, CA

 

Solon Fire Control of Rancho Cordova, CA

 

Total Fire Group of Dayton, OH

 

 

 

Turnout Jackets and Pants

Only L. N. Curtis & Sons submitted samples of turnout jackets and pants that were found to be in full compliance with City specifications. In addition, that firm's bid pricing (turnout jacket - $640 each and turnout pants - $454 per pair) is comparable to prices paid in the past. Staff, therefore, recommends award of contract for turnout jackets and pants to L. N. Curtis & Sons.

Gloves

Four firms bid on OSHA complaint gloves, as follows:

Bidder

Wristlet

Gauntlet

Allstar Fire Equipment

$15.95

$15.50

L. N. Curtis & Sons

$17.75

$15.90

Special T Fire Equipment

$19.25

$19.25

Solon Fire Control

$20.00

$20.00

Staff recommends award of contract for gloves to Allstar Fire Equipment, the lowest responsive and responsible bidder.

Helmets

Bids on helmets were received from five bidders. While testing helmet samples, it was found that all but one helmet banged against the SCBA bottle when the Officer was performing fire fighting operations. City specifications did not address this issue. For that reason, staff recommends that no award be made for this item and that helmets be re-bid separately following revision of City specifications.

FISCAL IMPACT

Annual expenditures for turnout jackets and pants and gloves will not exceed $150,000 (including sales tax) for both contracts. Funds are budgeted in Department of Public Safety Activity #432200 - Provide Uniform and Equipment Services.

RECOMMENDATION

 It is recommended that Council:

  1. Award a contract in substantially the same form as the attached Master Agreement to L. N. Curtis & Sons for turnout jackets and pants; and
  2. Award a contract in substantially the same form as the attached Master Agreement to Allstar Fire Equipment Inc., for OSHA compliant gloves.

Prepared by:
Elaine Wesely
Purchasing Officer

Reviewed by:
Mary Bradley
Director of Finance

Irwin I. Bakin
Director, Department of Public Safety

Approved by:
Robert S. LaSala
City Manager

Attachments:

  1. Two Draft Master Agreements

MASTER AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF SUNNYVALE AND L. N. CURTIS & SONS FOR TURNOUT JACKETS AND PANTS

MASTER AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF SUNNYVALE AND ALLSTAR FIRE EQUIPMENT, INC., FOR FIRE FIGHTER GLOVES

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