Resolution No. 2015-011 (2)STAFF REPORT
FIRE DEPARTMENT
PRECE ED
MAR 2 6 2015
CITY ADMINISTRATION
DATE: April 7, 2015
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Michael A. Wilson, Fire Chief *q —
RE: Approval to Purchase an Urban Search and Rescue Vehicle for the Fire
Department
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council:
A. Find that approval of the proposed purchase in this staff report is exempt under the
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) in accordance with Section 15061(b)(3),
the general rule that CEQA only applies to projects that may have an effect on the
environment.
B. Approve the purchase of a new Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) vehicle from Pierce
Manufacturing, Inc. (PMI) in the amount of $799,609.82, and authorize the Purchasing
Department to issue a purchase order to PMI to replace the current 1998 vehicle that no
longer meets the needs of the department. $400,000.00 of this amount would be
reimbursable through federal grant funds.
Backaround
On March 3, 2015 the City Council of the City of Vernon adopted Resolution No. 2015-11
approving participation in the 2014 Urban Area Security Initiative Grant ("2014 UASI Grant').
Thereafter, Vernon entered into an agreement with the City of Los Angeles, whereby the U.S.
Department of Homeland Security granted the Vernon Fire Department $828,507.00, of which
$400,000.00 was awarded for the purchase a new US&R vehicle.
The Department of Homeland Security provides financial assistance, through the UASI program.
The purpose of the UASI grant is to prevent, respond to, and recover from threats or acts of
terrorism. This is accomplished via improved planning, equipment, and training for the needs of
large urban areas.
The grant performance period began on September 1, 2014. All purchases for this grant must be
processed to the City of Los Angeles before May 31, 2016.
The Proposed Purchase Compliance with the Municipal Code
The Fire Department requests that the City Council approve the purchase of a new US&R
vehicle from Pierce Manufacturing, Inc. in the amount of $799,609.82.
For this purchase the City intends to piggyback onto a current contract between the DeKalb
County and PMI. Piggybacking is expressly authorized by Vernon Municipal Code Section
2.17.12(A)(5) and allows Vernon to use an existing public agency contract as a template to form
its own contract directly with the same vendor to purchase on same or similar terms. DeKalb
County used a competitive bid process to obtain vehicle cost for PMI that is at a cost
substantially lower than Vernon could obtain if it were to complete the traditional competitive
bidding process itself As such, staff requests that the City Council approve the purchase order
without requiring the completion of the traditional competitive bidding process. The City of
Vernon will be able to save time and resources by piggybacking onto the DeKalb County
purchase order with PMI.
Reason Purchase is Needed
The new 2015 US&R vehicle will replace the current vehicle that was purchased in 2000, which
no longer meets the state requirements that mandates the department to carry specific equipment
and lumber cashes to maintain the departments Heavy Rescue and Task Force 2 certification.
The new 3 axle design of the proposed apparatus will cant' an air compressor and built-in
generator needed to be self-sufficient on major incidents, and allow the fire department space to
place equipment in specific locations that are easier to access in an emergency. The new vehicle
meets or exceeds all EPA emission standards, and is furnished with a light tower. In utilizing
federal grant funds to purchase the new US&R vehicle, the city will be saving $400,000.00 and
will be acquiring a vehicle that will not need to be replaced for another 15 to 20 years.
Fiscal Impact
The 2014 UASI Grant is 100% reimbursable and there are no cost -share or match requirements.
The City of Los Angeles will reimburse the City of Vernon for all the purchased equipment up to
the grant allocation of $400,000.00. The City of Vernon would be responsible for the remaining
balance of $399,609.82.