To: Board of Supervisors
From: Lewis Broschard, Chief, Contra Costa County Fire Protection District
Report Title: Used Tractor-Drawn Aerial Apparatus Purchase for Driver Training
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Acting as the governing board of the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District:
1. DETERMINE it is reasonable and necessary to pre-authorize the Fire Chief, or designee, to locate, inspect, negotiate, and purchase a tractor-drawn aerial apparatus to be used solely for driver training.
2. DETERMINE that due to the unique nature of purchasing a used fire apparatus for driver training, deviating from standard purchasing practices is reasonable and necessary.
3. APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Fire Chief, or designee, to purchase a used tractor-drawn aerial apparatus for training purposes via sole source from a vendor to be determined in an amount not to exceed $200,000.
4. APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the purchasing agent to issue a purchase order, if required, to complete the purchase of a used tractor-drawn aerial apparatus, as determined by the Fire Chief.
5. APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Fire Chief, or designee, to execute the associated purchase documents subject to the approval of County Counsel and the CAO.
FISCAL IMPACT:
100% CCCFPD General Fund
BACKGROUND:
The District operates a fleet of tractor-drawn aerial apparatus. Several of these apparatus are articulating bodies with a driver in the front and a driver in the rear, known as the “tiller”. This rear steering capability allows firefighters to access tight spaces and streets while delivering a 100-foot aerial ladder to a scene for rescue and firefighting capabilities.
These apparatus cost more than $2 million if purchased new. It has been the practice of the District to use a retired tractor-drawn aerial apparatus for driver training. The District’s first and current training tiller, a 1991 model that was purchased used in 2015 from another department, is currently out of service. Locating parts and ongoing repairs are impacting its use. It has been determined this 33-year-old apparatus is now at the end of its life.
All District tractor-drawn aerial apparatus are used for front-line daily service; and they are far from retired. Therefore, it is necessary to acquire a used apparatus from another agency or broker to be used for driver training purposes.
By pre-approving this sole source purchasing method, the Fire Chief, or designee, can commit to another agency or another party to secure the purchase of this used apparatus. Obtaining multiple quotes is unreasonable as there could never be a true cost comparison due to varying manufacturers, mileage, and condition of used apparatus. Generally, the District is not in the business of buying used apparatus; however, in this case, it is most appropriate when used in this limited capacity for driver training to limit potential incidents causing damage to more costly front-line equipment.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
If this item is not approved, the District will be in a difficult position to ask an agency or broker to wait for a formal commitment while the District goes through a lengthier purchasing process.