Title
Fire Compressed Air Refill Stations
Action
Action:
A. Approve the purchase of compressed air refill stations, as authorized by the sole source exemption of G.S. 143-129 (e)(6),
B. Approve a unit price contract with Safe Air Systems Inc. for the purchase of compressed air refill stations for the term of three years, and
C. Authorize the City Manager to renew the contract for up to two, one-year terms with possible price adjustments and to amend the contract consistent with the purpose for which the contract was approved.
Body
Staff Resource(s):
Pete Key, Fire
Kevin Gordon, Fire
Damian Owens, Fire
Sole Source Exemption
§ G.S. 143-129 (e) (6) provides that formal bidding requirements do not apply when:
- Performance or price competition are not available;
- A needed product is available from only one source or supply; or
- Standardization or compatibility is the overriding consideration.
§ Sole sourcing is necessary for this contract because performance or price competition is not available.
§ The City Council must approve purchases made under the sole source exception.
Explanation
§ Compressed air refill stations are needed to refill air bottles that are used by firefighters during a fire.
§ Fire has 13 air refill stations located at various fire stations across the City.
§ Fire will purchase new stations or replace existing stations as needed.
§ Safe Air Systems Inc. is the only manufacturer authorized distributor for North Carolina. Their stations will maintain standardization and compatibility with stations already installed.
§ Annual expenditures under the contract are estimated to be $90,000.
Charlotte Business INClusion
This is a sole source contract and is exempt (Part A: Appendix 1.27 of the Charlotte Business INClusion Policy).
Fiscal Note
Funding: Fire Operating Budget