Explanation
Need: The Division of Police, Department of Public Safety needs to replace the current service pistol in use as the manufacturer, Smith & Wesson no longer makes this pistol. Due to safety, security, training and uniform parts it is imperative that a service pistol is standardized for the Division of Police. It is crucial that we purchase/trade a new service pistol since our current model is discontinued and repair parts are not available any longer and new recruits would have to be issued a different type of pistol.
Bid Information: The Division of Police began an evaluation for a new service pistol. Search criteria used to evaluate pistols was based on reliability, ergonomics - ambidextrous, mechanics, controllability and sights. The following pistols were considered in .40 caliber S&W and .45 caliber ACP; Beretta, Glock, Heckler & Koch, Kimber, SigArms, Smith & Wesson, Ruger, Springfield Arms and FN Herstal. Springfield Arms, FN Herstal, Beretta, Heckler & Koch and Ruger were eliminated due to not meeting ergonomics - ability to accommodate a variety of hand sizes. Glock was eliminated due to need to pull trigger to disassemble weapon (resulting in high incident of accidental discharge). SigArms double action/single action pistol was eliminated since the magazine release lever was usually activated unintentionally when the operator activated the slide release lever. Kimber, a single action pistol was eliminated due to the high level of training that is required to safely operate a single action semi-automatic in a police environment. Smith & Wesson 4566 TSW in .45 ACP was eliminated due to excessive recoil and SigArms P226 double action only was suspended from consideration due to reliability issues.
During the search Smith & Wesson introduced a new pistol and made modifications to the pistol based upon feedback from the Division of Police. This new pistol Smith & Wesson M&P .40 caliber was fired over 50,000 rounds in six pistols and the first three pistols fired over 30,000 rounds during testing. Overwhelming positive feedback from Ordnance staff and Division members who test fired the new pistol. Another benefit is the interchangeable palm swell grip sizes allowing accommodation for any size hand to fit every officer allowing for higher levels of skill. Additional features are ambidextrous slide stop lever, reversible magazine release button which accommodates left hand shooters, disassembly without pulling trigger, pistol weighs 1.51 pounds unloaded compared to current pistol is 2.5 pounds unloaded.
Smith & Wesson M&P was selected as the pistol meeting and exceeding the evaluation criteria.
Negotiations were conducted with Smith & Wesson and the manufacturer has offered an even trade of our old service pistol for the new M&P pistol. This trade will result in no cost to the City of Columbus.
This company is not debarred according to the Federal excluded parties listing or prohibited from being awarded a contract according to the Auditor of State unresolved findings for recovery certified search.
Contract Compliance: 133386737
FISCAL IMPACT:
The funding to establish this contract is in the amount of $1.00 which is budgeted in the Division of Police General Fund.
Emergency Designation: Emergency legislation so that the trade of pistols may begin at the earliest possible date.
Title
To authorize and direct the Director of Finance and Management to enter into contract for trade of pistols with Smith & Wesson, Inc. to waive the provisions of competitive bidding; and to authorize the expenditure of $1.00 from the General Fund for the Division of Police; and to declare an emergency. ($1.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Division of Police, Department of Public Safety, needs to trade our current service pistols which no longer are manufactured; and
WHEREAS, there was an evaluation process completed and Smith & Wesson M&P pistol met and exceeded the evaluation criteria; and
WHEREAS, negotiations were conducted with Smith & Wesson and the manufacturer has offered an even trade of our old service pistol for the new M&P pistol; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to waive the provisions of Section 329.06 of the Columbus City Code to expedite trade of pistols at the earliest possible date; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operations of the Division of Police in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director of Finance and Management to enter into a contract for the trade of pistols, thereby preserving 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 to enter into a contract for the trade of pistols.
Section 2. That in accordance with Section 329.27 of Columbus City Codes, this Council finds it is in the best interest of the City of Columbus to waive the provisions of Section 329.06 of the Columbus City Codes to permit the aforementioned purchases.
Section 3. That the expenditure of $1.00 from the Division of Police, Division No. 30-03, OCA Code 301572, Object Level One 02, Object Level Three 2215 or so much thereof as may be needed, be and same is hereby authorized.
Section 4. That for reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared to be 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.