Title
To authorize Director of Finance and Management to execute those documents necessary to enter into a contract with Breathing Air Systems for the acquisition of a building collapse rescue system for the Division of Fire utilizing Homeland Security Grant funds; and to declare an emergency. ($0.00)
Explanation
BACKGROUND: The Division of Fire was awarded a grant from the Department of Homeland Security to purchase a building collapse rescue system. The total cost of this equipment is $138,836.33, the payment of which will be issued by Franklin County, on behalf of the Department of Homeland Security and Ohio Emergency Management Agency. The City of Columbus and Franklin County entered into an Intergovernmental Agreement via Ordinance 1917-2005 to enable this type of purchase.
The Division of Fire currently has no structural rescue support equipment, other than the use of wood shoring, to employ in the event of a structure/building collapse. The equipment being acquired via this ordinance consists of a system of bases, struts, couplings and braces that are designed to shore collapsed structures and allow firefighters to safely access and rescue trapped victims. Compared to shoring a collapsed structure with wood, the use of this equipment is a much stronger, safer and a faster alternative. This rescue system will require little maintenance costs given the few moving parts, and has no fixed date of expiration and a long sustainable period of usage. This equipment will also supplement regional emergency response entities such as FEMA and Ohio Task Force 1, both of which employ the same rescue systems.
This legislation will authorize and direct the Director of Finance and Management to execute those documents necessary for the acquisition of this equipment.
Bid Information: Bid were solicited by the Purchasing Office via solicitation SA004089 and opened on 9/15/11. The following bids were received:
Breathing Air Systems - Majority company - $138,836.33
Finley Fire Equipment - Majority company - $142,021.46
After review of the bids, the Division of Fire recommends the bid submitted by Breathing Air Systems as the lowest, most responsive and best bid. Breathing Air Systems is not debarred according to the Excluded Parties listing of the Federal Government and is not listed in the Auditor of State database for Findings for Recovery.
Contract Compliance: Breathing Air Systems - 09/20/2013
Emergency Designation: The Division of Fire request emergency legislation so that the purchase of the equipment may conclude prior to expiration of the grant period (January 31, 2012).
FISCAL IMPACT: This ordinance authorizes the Director of Finance and Management to execute those documents necessary to procure a building collapse rescue system in the amount of $138,836.33 for the Division of Fire using Homeland Security grant funds currently held by Franklin County. There is no fiscal impact to the General Fund.
Body
WHEREAS, the Division of Fire needs to acquire a building collapse rescue system; and
WHEREAS, the Division of Fire has been awarded a grant from the Department of Homeland Security to purchase said equipment; and
WHEREAS, this acquisition is being made to Breathing Air Systems in accordance with the terms and conditions of solicitation SA004089; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operations of the Division of Fire, Department of Public Safety, in that it is immediately necessary to authorize and direct the Director of Finance and Management to execute those documents necessary for the acquisition of said equipment prior to the expiration of the grant period, for the preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; Now, therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Finance and Management be and is hereby authorized and directed to execute those documents necessary to enter into a contract with Breathing Air Systems for the acquisition of a building collapse rescue system for the Columbus Division of Fire .
SECTION 2. There is no city related expenditure associated with this ordinance; grant funds from the Department of Homeland Security are being administered via Franklin County in the amount of $138,836.33.
SECTION 3. That for reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.