REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Authorize the Issuance of a Purchase Order for the Purchase of Turnout Fire Protective Clothing for the Department of Public Safety (DPS)
Report
REPORT IN BRIEF
Approval is requested to issue a purchase order in the amount of $401,679 to L.N. Curtis & Sons of Oakland, for 171 sets (87 sets released in 2017 and 84 sets released in 2018) of Structural Firefighting, Turnout Fire Protective Clothing for sworn staff assigned to DPS Fire Services.
EXISTING POLICY
Section 2.08.070(b)(3) of the Sunnyvale Municipal Code exempts from competitive bidding those purchases in which solicitations of bids or proposals would be impractical, unavailing or impossible. L.N. Curtis provided the first set of DPS's current brand of fire protective clothing, which was custom produced to meet Sunnyvale specifications, and this vendor provides immediate access to both the turnouts and repair thereof if needed.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The purchase of supplies does not constitute a "project" within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(5) in that it is an administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
Pursuant to National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards, and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations, fire services personnel should have a second set of structural firefighting ensembles (otherwise known as turnouts) to ensure a reduction in exposure to cancer causing contaminants. A survey of all fire departments in Santa Clara County, conducted by DPS staff in FY 2016/17, indicated Sunnyvale to be the only agency in the County that did not issue a second set of turnouts to their fire personnel. To come into compliance with the aforementioned recommendations, the addition of a second set of turnouts for all sworn perso...
Click here for full text