Title
Fire Turnout Gear and Related Services
Action
Action:
A. Approve contracts for firefighting turnout gear and related services for a term of three years with the following:
- AEST Fire & Safety,
- Fire-Dex GW, LLC dba Gear Wash,
- Lions TotalCare,
- Municipal Emergency Services Inc.,
- Newtons Fire & Safety Equipment, Inc.,
- North America Fire Equipment Co., Inc.,
- Rhinehart Fire Services,
- Viking Life-Saving Equipment, Inc., and
B. Authorize the City Manager to renew the contracts for up to two, one-year terms with possible price adjustments and to amend the contracts consistent with the purpose for which the contracts were approved.
Body
Staff Resource(s):
Reginald Johnson, Fire
Jerry Winkles, Fire
Jeffrey Matthews, Fire
Phil Reiger, General Services
Explanation
§ The Charlotte Fire Department relies on frequent access to high-quality firefighting turnout gear to ensure the safety and operational effectiveness of our first responders. This equipment and related services support the safety and operational readiness of the city’s fire department.
§ On January 30, 2025, the city issued a Request for Proposals (RFP); ten responses were received.
§ The companies selected best meet the city’s needs in terms of qualifications, experience, cost, and responsiveness to RFP requirements.
§ At renewal, potential price adjustments may be considered based on legitimate and justified increases in the cost of doing business. The ability to consider price adjustments also allows the city to accept decreases, if warranted.
§ These contracts are also part of the Charlotte Cooperative Purchasing Alliance and generate revenue for the city when other public agencies use the contracts.
§ Annual aggregate expenditures are estimated to be $2,500,000.
Charlotte Business INClusion
Cooperative purchasing contracts leverage contracts established by other governmental agencies and do not involve the city conducting a bidding process and are thus exempt from CBI Program goals. Subcontracting opportunities are typically not feasible under cooperative purchasing arrangements.
Fiscal Note
Funding: Fire Operating Budget