TO:
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THROUGH:
Talyn Mirzakhanian, Acting City Manager
FROM:
Rachel Johnson, Chief of Police
Andrew Enriquez, Police Captain
Julie Dahlgren, Senior Management Analyst
SUBJECT:Title
Consideration of the Purchase of One Budgeted Rescue Vehicle from Lenco Industries, Inc. in an Amount Not-to-Exceed $325,652 (Police Chief Johnson).
A) WAIVE FORMAL BIDDING
B) AUTHORIZE PURCHASE
Body
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RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council:
a) Waive formal bidding per Municipal Code Section 2.36.140 (waivers); and
b) Authorize the purchase of one budgeted Rescue Vehicle from Lenco Industries, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $325,652.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
Sufficient funds are currently budgeted within the Police Department's General Fund budget for the Rescue Vehicle purchase, delivery, and taxes.
BACKGROUND:
In light of potential threats to crowded events, the practice for modern law enforcement agencies is to staff a crisis response team at each event comprised of SWAT personnel, an armored rescue vehicle, and medically trained officers with first aid supplies. Currently the Manhattan Beach Police Department has shared access to a regional 2010 Lenco Armored Rescue Vehicle. The aging vehicle is unreliable and often unavailable when needed.
The purchase of a Rescue Vehicle will allow it to be deployed at all high-profile events and used during emergencies and warrant services. At high-profile events, it will be equipped with medical supplies and staffed with a minimum of four Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team officers who are trained in tactical emergency medicine.
Assembly Bill 481 (AB 481), codified as Government Code Sections 7070 through 7075, requires law enforcement agencies to obtain approval from their governing body before requesting, funding, acquiring, using, or collaborating in the use of military equipment, as defined in Government Code Section 7070. This bill became effective on January 1, 2022. In full compliance with AB 481, the City Council held public meetings and adopted Ordinance No. 22-0006 in 2022. AB 481 uses the terminology “military equipment” to identify/describe 15 categories of equipment, which may be acquired from various sources and is not specifically, or necessarily, equipment exclusive to the military, or equipment acquired by the military. Ordinance No. 24-0001, Military Equipment Use Policy, was introduced at the January 16, 2024, City Council meeting and renewed the City Council’s approval of Ordinance 22-0006. During the January 16, 2024, City Council meeting, staff requested approval to follow the budgetary process to purchase equipment (including a Rescue Vehicle) in the coming year.
The proposed purchase of the Rescue Vehicle was included in the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Police Department General Fund budget.
DISCUSSION:
Staff seeks to purchase a new Lenco Bearcat Armored Rescue Vehicle for use by the Police Department. Under Municipal Code Section 2.36.140, the City Council can waive purchasing procedures to accommodate a specific purchase when such waiver is not in violation of State law.
Lenco Industries, Inc. is the only manufacturer of Bearcat Armored Rescue Vehicles and designated sole source for its product. Lenco Industries participated in a formal bid process and follows US Government Cooperative Purchasing (Federal Acquisition Service - Multiple Award Schedule) - GSA Contract No. GS-07F-169DA. The contract is valid through August 22, 2026. A competitive bidding process is not required for this purchase.
The total price for the Lenco Bearcat Armored Rescue Vehicle, including delivery and 9.5% sales tax, is $325,652. Staff recommends that the City Council waive formal bidding per Municipal Code Section 2.36.140 (waivers) and authorize the purchase of a Lenco Rescue Vehicle in an amount not-to-exceed $325,652. The anticipated lead time for this Rescue Vehicle is 14 months.
PUBLIC OUTREACH:
The purchase of the Rescue Vehicle was discussed during a public hearing on January 16, 2024, and in budget discussions in May 2024.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
The City has reviewed the proposed activity for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to Section 15060(c)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines the activity is not subject to CEQA. Thus, no environmental review is necessary.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney has reviewed this report and determined that no additional legal analysis is necessary.