Title
Approval of Purchase Agreement for New Pierce Fire Engine
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve the purchase agreement for the Mayor's signature.
Report
Issue:
The Fire Department is due to purchase a new fire engine. City Council in April directed that the engine be purchased using available Fire Equipment Replacement Fund and year end funding from 2014. This agreement, with the manufacturer, completes the task assigned to the Fire Department to order the replacement engine.
Staff Contact:
Greg Wright, Deputy Fire Chief, 360.753.8466
Presenter(s):
Greg Wright, Deputy Fire Chief
Background and Analysis:
The City of Olympia historically has made yearly contributions to the Fire Equipment Replacement Fund but stopped that practice during the tight budgets since 2008. The most recent fire apparatus purchases came through a bond issue that included Fire Station 4 and the Fire Training Center.
The Department was due to remove an engine purchased in 1998 from front line service in 2014 but the Fire Equipment Replacement Fund did not have sufficient funds to purchase a new engine.
In April of 2015 the City Council appropriated a portion of city-wide funds saved in 2014 to a number of projects including the purchase of a new fire engine. The Council specifically directed the Fire Department to purchase the new fire engine in 2015 with expected delivery in 2016 using a portion of the 2014 savings (~$450,000) combined with the existing Fire Equipment Replacement Fund (~$211,000) to purchase the engine.
The Department used their previously successful method of seating a team of firefighters along with the department mechanic and administration to develop specifications for an engine that would meet the unique needs of Olympia, be user friendly for the firefighters, environmentally conscious and cost effective for the citizens. The contract before the Council is the product of the work of the team for the citizens of Olympia and meets the budget specified by the Council. The final cost of the engine is on target. With savings for pre-payment on the chassis, the amount is $635,437.91.
The Department asked for and received permission to sole source this engine to Hughes Fire Equipment Company, the only Northwest vendor of the Pierce product. The Fire Department's current fleet of heavy apparatus are all Pierce products as are a majority of the heavy apparatus for Lacey Fire District 3, City of Tumwater and West Thurston Regional Fire Authority. This manufacturer has a proven national and local record of high quality. This level of vehicle consistency will also assure that the Fire Department's mechanics that are charged with maintaining the Olympia vehicles, and by contract the Lacey and Tumwater vehicles, will be as efficient and effective as possible in caring for this critical investment.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
N/A
Options:
Approve the purchase agreement for the Mayor's signature. Including all associated documents.
Not approve the purchase agreement.
Financial Impact:
Council approved, in April of 2015, approximately $450,000 from 2014 year end funds and Fire Apparatus Replacement Fund of approximately $211,000.