STAFF REPORT
POLICE DEPARTMENT
DATE: September 15, 2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Kollin Cieadlo, Interim Police Chief
By: Amber Abeyta, Management Analyst
SUBJECT: PURCHASE OF AMMUNITION FROM SAN DIEGO POLICE EQUIPMENT CO., INC. IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $122,652
CEQA: Not a Project
Recommendation: Waive the Formal Bid Process and Approve
SUMMARY
The Police Department maintains a supply of ammunition for its various weapons for training, testing, and safety response purposes. It is recommended that the City Council authorize the purchase of new factory ammunition from San Diego Police Equipment Co., Inc. in an amount not to exceed $122,652. It is further recommended that the City Council delegate the authority to waive the formal bid process and approve future purchases to the City Manager, without returning to the City Council for approval, provided that any financial increases remain within recognized inflationary levels.
DISCUSSION
The Police Department maintains a variety of weapons to respond to any potential threats to the safety and welfare of Arcadia residents. All police officers are required to maintain standards of proficiency for various weapons used in the line of duty.
Purchases of ammunition are made on an as-needed basis to maintain adequate inventory and to meet officer proficiency levels through monthly qualifications and scheduled trainings.
The Department’s weapons all require specialized types of ammunition, which are limited to specific manufacturers and authorized dealers. The Department utilizes
Police Department Ammunition Purchase
September 15, 2026
two primary brands of ammunition, Federal Premium and Speer, which are both owned and manufactured by Alliant Techsystems, Inc. (“ATK”). San Diego Police Equipment Co., Inc. is the sole authorized dealer and distributor of ATK ammunition for the western United States. Given that San Diego Police Equipment Co., Inc. is the sole authorized dealer and distributor of ATK ammunition, it is recommended that the City Council waive the formal bidding process and authorize the purchase of this ammunition.
Separately, the Department purchases ammunition from Blackhills Ammunition, Inc., for ammunition specific to SWAT-sniper training and operations. ATK and Blackhills’ ammunition have been utilized by the Department for over a decade. This ammunition continues to meet the Department’s standards for ballistic capabilities, performance, and functional reliability.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
The proposed action does not constitute a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), based on Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines, as it can be seen with certainty that it will have no impact on the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
Based on previous usage, ammunition costs totaling approximately $122,652 will be required during the current Fiscal Year to meet the Department’s needs. The exact amounts of ammunition will vary based on needs that arise throughout the year. The City will only be charged for ammunition purchased. Sufficient funds for the purchase of ammunition have been allocated in the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Police Department Budget, under the Patrol FTU (Field Training Unit) Supplies account.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council determine that this action is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”); waive the formal bid process; and approve the purchase of ammunition from San Diego Police Equipment Co., Inc. in an amount not to exceed $122,652. It is further recommended that the City Council delegate the authority to waive the formal bid process and approve future
Police Department Ammunition Purchase
September 15, 2026
purchases to the City Manager, without returning to the City Council for approval, provided that any financial increases remain within recognized inflationary levels.