Title
Hazardous Materials Identification Equipment
Action
Action:
A. Approve the purchase of new Hazardous Materials Identification Equipment and First Defender RMX equipment, as authorized by sole source exemption of G.S. 143-129 (e)(6), and
B. Approve a unit price contract with Fisher Scientific for the purchase of Hazardous Materials Identification Equipment and First Defender RMX equipment for $128,896.
Body
Staff Resource(s):
Reginald Johnson, Fire
Richard Granger, Fire
Sole Source Exemption
? G.S. 143-129 (e)(6) provides that formal bidding requirements do not apply when:
? Performance or price competition is 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 there is only one supply source.
? The City Council must approve purchases made under the sole source exception.
Explanation
* The Charlotte Fire Department includes a Hazardous Materials (Hazmat) response team that operates out of two separate fire stations (stations 13 and 32, in Council Districts 2 and 7 respectively).
* The state of North Carolina has seven Regional Response Team Divisions. Regional Response Team Division Seven includes eight counties in North Carolina: Mecklenburg, Union, Rowan, Cabarrus, Iredell, Lincoln, Gaston, and Cleveland.
* Hazmat response teams are called to identify, mitigate, and decontaminate materials deemed to be hazardous within the state of North Carolina.
* Equipment currently employed in Hazardous Materials Identification is over 12 years old and beyond the expected useful life.
* This purchase will replace one handheld device that allows users to detect and identify hazardous materials as well as explosives. Fisher Scientific will also provide on-site training and technical support.
* This equipment will be used in conjunction with a similar piece of equipment being purchased by the state to ensu...
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