SUBJECT/RECOMMENDATION:
Title
Authorize a purchase order to Inventech Marine Solutions LLC dba Life Proof Boats (Inventech) of Bremerton, WA, for the purchase of a 29-foot Fireboat vessel, engines, and trailer in the amount of $480,969.41, pursuant to Clearwater Code of Ordinances Sections 2.563(1)(c), piggyback, and 2.563(1)(d), non-competitive purchase (impractical); declare fireboat G4670 surplus and authorize for disposal pursuant to Section 2.623 (6) and (8) and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same. (consent)
Body
SUMMARY:
On October 20, 2016, City Council authorized the purchase of a 32-foot Metalcraft Firestorm, equipped with twin Jet drives. The Fireboat was intended to enhance marine response capabilities, providing fire protection, water rescue, and medical care within Clearwater’s waterways.
The current vessel, G4670, has been in service since 2018. Over time, it has encountered various mechanical issues due to environmental conditions affecting the reliability of its engines, components, and exterior. The vessel has proven to be difficult and costly repair in a timely manner, resulting in long protracted periods of the vessel being unavailable for its public safety mission. Therefore, the department is seeking to replace G4670 with a new fire suppression boat earlier than anticipated to ensure the department has a reliable fire suppression boat to meet is public safety obligation to the community.
Clearwater Fire & Rescue (CFR) conducted research into various vessel manufactures. Aluminum hulled vessels, known for their durability and reliability, have become the industry standard for public safety agencies.
Based upon this evaluation, staff recommends purchasing a Life Proof 29’HT vessel (featuring an open cockpit and center consol) powered by dual Mercury 300 outboard engines. This vessel includes an aluminum triple-axel trailer as part of a package offered through Inventech. This vessel is the same manufacture and similar design as the vessel currently in service with the police department, and has proven to be reliable.
The total cost of the vessel and trailer amounts to $480,969.41 with $438,755.41 procured through a competitive solicitation process under U.S. Federal General Services Administration (GAS) contract #47QSWA18D0015, valid through January 7, 2029. The Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) replaced Schedule 84, serving as a national resource for local governments to acquire public safety and marine crafts through the Cooperative Purchasing Program. The added open market items, to include items that were removed, totaling $27,334.00 and shipping totaling at $14,880.00 are considered impractical to bid due to delay in receipt of vessel, possible void of warranty for after-market equipment, manufacturer delay in receiving parts, etc. Progress payments incentive allows for an additional 1% discount of $4,809.70 bringing the total amount of the vessel with trailer to $476,159.71.
To upfit the boat for service, a new APX 6500/Enh series radio will be procured through Motorola Solutions totaling $6,889.71, piggybacking off the State of Florida NASPO Contract 4319000-22-NASPO-ACS, Public Safety Communications, valid through December 31. 2026. The total project budget will be established to fund the purchase of the boat as well as additional upfit costs.
Authorization is requested to declare G4670, a 2018 Metalcraft Firestorm 32-foot boat (Serial# QME00708G717), as surplus and authorize disposal via auction through either Tampa Machinery Auction of Tampa, FL or Royal Auction Group of Zephyrhills, FL, pursuant to Sections 2.623(6) and (8). Tampa Machinery Auction was competitively solicited by Pinellas County under Contract NO. 190-0534-R(JJ) valid through November 17, 2027. Royal Auction Group was competitively solicited by Pinellas County under Contract NO. 190-537-R valid through November 16, 2027.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
A first quarter budget amendment will establish capital project C2507, Fire Boat Replacement, and allocate General Fund Reserves in the amount of $490,000.00 to fund the boat purchase. This use of reserves is an advance of next year planned funding for the Fire Command Bus which will not be replaced resulting in a budget savings of over $710,000 in future capital expenditures.
USE OF RESERVE FUNDS:
Funding for this purchase will be provided by a first quarter budget amendment allocating General Fund reserves in the amount of $490,000.00 to capital improvement project C2507, Fire Boat Replacement. Inclusive of this item if approved, a net total of $14,531,000 of General Fund reserves has been used to date to fund expenditures in the 2024/25 operating budget. The remaining balance in General Fund reserves after the 8.5% reserve is approximately $41.4 million, or 18.3% of the current General Fund operating budget.
STRATEGIC PRIORITY:
Foster safe and healthy communities through first-class public safety and emergency response services.
