HomeMy WebLinkAboutV (E) Approval and Authorization to Waive the Minimum Procurement Standards, and Effect the Best Negotiated Price with Fisher Safety Fire and Emergency Services as the Sole Source Provider of Scott SCBA Products in this Region Agenda 5-06-2003
Item V E
Ocoee Fire Department
125 N. Bluford Ave. Ocoee, Florida 34761
R. D. Strosnider Business: 407-905-3100
Fire Chief Emergency: 911
MEMORANDUM
To: The Honorable Mayor and City Commission
From: Richard Firstner, Assistant Fire Chief
Date: April30, 2003
Re: Staff Report- FEMA Grant Award
Background:
On December 10, 2002, the Ocoee Fire Department was awarded $147,960.00
under FEMA's 2002 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. The grant
applied for was to replace the current inventory of Self-Contained Breathing
Apparatus (SCBA) with SCBA compliant with the latest NFPA 1981 standard.
Currently, the department is equipped with MSA brand SCBA. The department
has 30 units deployed on all firefighting apparatus, inspection and command
staff vehicles. Each department member is issued a personal facemask (48
units), enhancing firefighter health and safety in accordance with NFPA 1500
standards. Each SCBA unit is also equipped with a stand-alone Personal Alert
Safety System (PASS) device that detects lack of motion when a firefighter is
incapacitated.
The grant application requested funds to upgrade the SCBA units to include;
integrated PASS devices, Heads-Up Display (HUD) of air remaining in the
cylinder, a quick fill system, voice/radio communications units, and the ability
to meet the latest NIOSH standards for Chemical, Biological, Radiological,
Nuclear (CBRN) agents with a negative pressure filter system.
As a condition of the grant, all excess SCBA units that are no longer needed by
the City of Ocoee will be offered to departments throughout the state that are
in need of breathing equipment. The Florida Fire Chiefs Association has
established a clearinghouse of equipment that is still serviceable, and will be
used for that purpose.
The Federal share of the grant is $133,164.00 (90%) with the remaining 10`Yu or
S 14,796.00 coming from the City of Ocoee as a cash match.
Discussion:
Since the award of the grant, staff has been conducting research on the major
manufacturers brands of SCBA, comparing features, warranties and product
liability reports. SCBA units were received from MSA and Scott for
demonstration, and were circulated throughout the department. An informal
survey of all department personnel asking for their preference of the two units
indicated that 100% of those that responded preferred Scott.
Sales quotations from Ten-8 Fire Equipment Company, the sole source provider
of MSA brand SCBA, and Fisher Safety, the sole source provider for Scott SCBA
were received with the following results:
MSA could not provide the requested number of units for the price specified.
The department would have to settle for less than 100% replacement, keeping 8
current units in service (3 to 6 years old) and 14 spare cylinders (2 years old).
Also, only 3 radio communications units would be included in their price
quote.
Scott could replace all existing units, spare cylinders for all units, provide
individual masks for each firefighter that includes radio communications, for
the price specified.
A comparison of the MSA and Scott products indicated the following:
- Less maintenance required for Scott, reducing the life cycle costs
- Scott provided a superior low air pressure alarm system
- Scott provides a dual redundant pressure reducer system
- Scott's face mask has NIOSH approval for CBRN chemical cartridges
- Scott provides a superior, hard-wired heads-up display on the
regulator, MSA's HUD unit is mask mounted, and wireless. The
wireless technology is unproven and could result in cross sensitivity.
- Scott provides a superior PASS alarm system
- Scott provides both Rapid Intervention Team universal transfill
connection, and dual buddy breathing connections.
- Scott provides a superior warranty, with local service representatives.
Recommendation:
After careful evaluation of the available products, the department feels that
Scott provides the superior product, and is preferred by all department
members.
Staff recommends that the City Commission waive the minimum procurement
standards, as set forth in the City Purchasing Manual, Section 21.5 (B), and
effect the best negotiated price with Fisher Safety Fire and Emergency Services
as the sole source provider of Scott SCBA products in this region.