SR 02-23-2016 3M
City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: February 23, 2016
Agenda Item: 3.M
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Dennis Downs, Interim Fire Chief, Fire Department
Subject: Award Bid for Purchase of Urban Search and Rescue Vehicle
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Award Bid #4227 to Emergency Vehicle Group (EVG) Inc., a California-based
company, for the purchase of one Urban Search and Rescue Vehicle;
2. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a contractual service agreement
with EVG Corporation in an amount not to exceed $998,000, which includes a 10%
contingency.
Executive Summary
The Fire Department currently has one Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) specialized
apparatus that it uses to respond to and mitigate emergency response incidents
involving complex urban search and technical rescue te
USAR specialized apparatus is from 2001 and has exceeded its useful life; due to not
maintaining specialized apparatus in the reserve fleet, the useful life is fifteen years. In
addition, the current USAR apparatus is undersized and is incapable of carrying
required equipment inventory for a Type I USAR apparatus as stipulated by the
California Office of Emergency Services (OES). According to OES, Type I apparatus
minimum capability to conduct safe and effective search and rescue
operations at structure collapse incidents involving the collapse or failure of heavy floor,
pre-cast concrete and steel frame construction, high angle rope rescue, permit required
In consideration of the supplies
and equipment the Department now carries, the current USAR apparatus is at its gross
vehicle weight (GVW) without capacity to carry the equipment and supplies stipulated
by OES to meet Type I USAR specifications. The new apparatus is a heavy duty Type I
that is capable of meeting all of the state requirements. Therefore, staff recommends
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purchasing one USAR specialized apparatus to be used by Fire Department personnel.
Following a formal bid process, EVG is recommended as the best bidder to provide and
deliver the vehicle in an amount not to exceed $998,000, which includes a 10%
contingency.
Discussion
The City replaces heavy Fire apparatus vehicles that have reached the end of their
useful life through the Fire Vehicle Replacement Program within the Capital
Improvement Program. The USAR apparatus designated for replacement is a 2001
vehicle currently being used by the City of Santa Monica Fire Department for
emergency responses involving complex urban search and technical rescue techniques
.
The USAR apparatus responds to all incidents involving complex urban searches and
technical rescues; it is available for emergency responses resulting from earthquakes
and other natural or man-made disasters. In addition, this vehicle will respond to all
emergency incidents involving the Expo line Metro train.
Some of the incidents to which the USAR vehicle was deployed during the last twelve
months include:
th
Building stabilization and shoring due to vehicle into building at Montana and 26
(February 2015)
Building stabilization and shoring due to vehicle into building and fire in the 700
block of Montana (August 2015)
Building stabilization and shoring due to a large section of window glass
becoming dislodged in the 2800 block of Santa Monica (November 2015)
Approximately 10-12 bluff rescues (this figure represents the approximate
number of responses the Department makes annually)
The USAR apparatus is also a regional asset with the potential for county-wide as well
as state-wide mutual aid response. All equipment carried on the USAR apparatus and
the necessary specialty training associated with USAR operations is primarily funded by
the Federal Homeland Security Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) grant program.
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Vendor Selection
In November 2015, the City published a Notice Inviting Bids for the purchase and
delivery of an Urban Search and Rescue vehicle required by the Fire Department in
-line bidding
site, and notices were advertised in the Santa Monica Daily Press in accordance with
City Charter and Municipal Code provisions. A total of 639 vendors were notified, of
which 19 prospective vendors downloaded the bid. One bid was received and publicly
opened on November 30, 2015 Two no bids notices were received from prospective
.
vendors who cited the reasons for not submitting a bid as being unable to meet the
submittal deadline and their own internal workload demands. The USAR apparatus is
the most technical and complex apparatus the Santa Monica Fire Department owns.
There are only a few companies nationally that can construct such an apparatus to
meet stringent state and national standards for a Type I Heavy USAR apparatus.
Although other local jurisdictions recently bid out USAR apparatus, the specifications
Specifically, the Department was u
facility size limitations to house the apparatus and the larger apparatus ordered by other
jurisdictions. The bid was evaluated based on the criteria in SMMC 2.24.072, including
price, ability to deliver, quality of product, and compliance with City specifications. City
staff also researched recently awarded bids for USAR apparatus developed for the City
of Los Angeles Fire Department. The current bid pricing received by EVG is consistent
provide and deliver the USAR in accordance with the City specification and scope of
work.
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Financial Impacts & Budget Actions
The contract to be awarded to EVG is for an amount not to exceed $998,000. Funds
are available in the General Fund FY 2015-16 Capital Improvement Program budget in
account C010170.589000.
Prepared By:
Terese Toomey, Principal Administrative Analyst
Approved Forwarded to Council
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Reference:
AgreementNo.10258
(CCS)