To: Board of Supervisors
From: Lewis Broschard, Chief, Contra Costa County Fire Protection District
Report Title: Blanket Purchase Order Amendment for L.N. Curtis
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Acting as the governing Board of the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District, RATIFY the Fire Chief’s execution of the Participating Addendums with L.N. Curtis totaling $3,500,000 for the purchase of firefighting and rescue tools (including HazMat equipment), self-contained breathing apparatus and breathing air systems, and firefighting personal protective equipment for the period September 1, 2024 through December 31, 2025; and
Acting as the governing Board of the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District, APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Purchasing Agent or designee, to execute, on behalf of the Fire Chief, a blanket purchase order amendment with L.N. Curtis to increase the payment limit by $5,000,000 for a new payment limit of $8,500,000 for the purchase of firefighting and rescue tools (including HazMat equipment), self-contained breathing apparatus and breathing air systems, and firefighting personal protective equipment, and extend the termination date from December 31, 2025 to March 27, 2028; and
Acting as the governing Board of the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District, APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Purchasing Agent or designee, to execute, on behalf of the Fire Chief, amendments to the Participating Addendums with L.N. Curtis for the purchase of firefighting and rescue tools (including HazMat equipment), self-contained breathing apparatus and breathing air systems, and firefighting personal protective equipment, increasing the payment limits of each participating addendum and extending the term of each participating addendum, both as reflected in the change to the blanket purchase order with L.N. Curtis.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Budgeted. 100% CCCFPD General Operating Fund.
BACKGROUND:
On October 8, 2024, the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District’s Board of Directors approved a purchase order with L.N. Curtis. The purchase order was for the purpose of covering three separate Participating Addendums entered between the Fire District and L.N. Curtis through the Sourcewell cooperative purchasing program, of which the Fire District is a member. Each of the Participating Addendums were subject to the terms and conditions of the related Sourcewell Master Contract. At the time, the Fire District had not been advised that Participating Addendums associated with purchase orders should be explicitly identified in Board actions. After consultation with County Counsel, the District has revised its internal procedures and now includes reference to all relevant participating addendums in staff reports.
The Fire District now seeks approval to ratify the prior executed agreements and amend the Participating Addendums and purchase order to increase the payment limit and extend the term of the original blanket purchase order with L.N. Curtis. This approval is necessary for the Fire District to maintain the ability to procure necessary firefighting and HazMat equipment.
L.N. Curtis is the primary distributor of fire, rescue, and emergency response equipment in California, providing many specialized products essential for the Fire District’s operations. To support emergency operations and the delivery of fire and rescue services to the public, timely access to specialized equipment is critical.
Pursuant to the approved 2024 purchase order and payment limit, the Fire District has separately entered into three Participating Addendums with L.N. Curtis for personal protective equipment, firefighting and rescue tools (including HazMat equipment), and self-contained breathing apparatus and breathing air systems.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
If these amendments are not approved, the District will experience operational delays while seeking alternate suppliers that meet required fire service standards.