ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
MEETING DATE: October 8, 2025 AGENDA CATEGORY: Consent - Bids TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Randy McKeegan, Finance Director
DATE: September 30, 2025
SUBJECT: Accept bid from Allstar Fire Equipment ($109,936.17) for SEEK Thermal Imaging Cameras and Accessories for the Fire Department.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommend acceptance of the bid.
BACKGROUND:
Bids were solicited for SEEK® Thermal Imaging Cameras and Accessories for the Fire Department. Three bids were received in response to solicitation.
Thermal imaging cameras (TICs) are vital tools for the Bakersfield Fire Department as they provide enhanced ability to protect lives, property, and firefighters in high-risk environments. These devices allow our firefighters to see through smoke, darkness, and other low-visibility conditions. The TICs significantly improve search and re scue operations by reducing the time it takes to locate victims in smoke -filled structures, directly increasing survival chances. They also aid our firefighters during fire attack by identifying the seat of the fire, detecting hidden hotspots, and revealing areas of fire spread that are not visible to the naked eye.
TICs play a critical role in firefighter survival. In zero -visibility conditions, these cameras provide orientation points, help locate safe egress routes, and allow firefighters to identify downed or disoriented crew members quickly. In a mayday situation, TICs can mean the difference between life and death, giving rapid visual confirmation of a firefighter’s location to accelerate rescue efforts.
Beyond fire suppression, these cameras are valuable in hazardous materials responses, where they allow our teams to monitor container integrity and identify leaks. By improving situational awareness, TICs provide an added layer of safety for the Bakersfield Fire Department personnel, reduce risk of disorientation, and ensure a more effective response. While TICs cannot see through walls, modern models deliver higher resolution, faster refresh rates, and rugged durability, making them an indispensable tool in fulfilling our mission.
The three bids received are as follows:
BIDDER AMOUNT Responsive (YES/NO)
Allstar Fire Equipment
Arcadia, CA $109,936.17 YES
Witmer Public Safety Group, Inc.
Coatesville, PA $111,787.00
NO – Bidder failed to
acknowledge Addendum
No. 1 which included a
revised bid form.
MES Services Company, LLC
Sandy Hook, CT $119,161.69
NO – Bidder failed to
acknowledge Addendum
No. 1 which included a
revised bid form.
The second and third highest bids were deemed non -responsive, as the bid proposals did not include an acknowledgement to Addenda issued which included a revised bid form. Staff find the bid proposal submitted by Allstar Fire Equipment to be acceptable and recommend approval of the purchase in the amount of $109,936.17.
FISCAL IMPACT:
On September 10, 202 5, Council approved the request to appropriate $10,000 in donated funds from Pacific Gas and Electric Company’s Charitable Giving Program to the Fire Departments General Operating budget for the purchase of thermal imaging cameras. The remaining balance of $99,936.17 will be initially covered by funds from the Fire Department’s General Fund Operating budget. However, these costs will be reimbursed through the California Firefighter Joint Apprenticeship Committee (Cal -JAC) reimbursement program. This state -funded program supports participating fire departments across California by helping offset training expenses and promoting professional development within the fire service.
COUNCIL GOAL:
Innovative and Efficient City Government
ATTACHMENTS:
Bid Tabulation