DATE: 01/07/2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Fire Department
2026-15
REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBJECT:
AUTHORIZE PURCHASE OF 1 PIERCE FIRE ENGINE (PUMPER) FROM SOUTH
COAST FIRE EQUIPMENT VIA SOURCEWELL CO-OP
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
This report seeks City Council authorization to approve the purchase of one (1) Pierce Manufacturing fire engine (pumper) from South Coast Fire Equipment in the amount of $1,453,033. This new fire engine (pumper) will replace an aging fire engine (pumper) that has reached the end of its useful life cycle.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
That the City Council:
a. Authorize the purchase of one (1) new vehicle from South Coast Fire Equipment for the Fire Department in the amount of $1,453,033.
b. Authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to issue a purchase order to South Coast Fire Equipment in the amount of $1,453,033, including any non-substantive extensions, change orders, purchase orders, and amendments up to the amount authorized by Corona Municipal Code 3.08.080(J), which is equivalent to 10% or $145,303.
c. Authorize an appropriation in the amount of $1,598,337 from the Fleet Replacement Fund 684 to the Vehicle Procurement-Fire Operating and Maintenance Project No. 68342.
BACKGROUND & HISTORY:
Annually, the Corona Fire Department evaluates and identifies apparatus for replacement in accordance with Administrative Policy No. 09100.508, Vehicle Equipment Replacement, as well as the American Public Works Association (APWA) vehicle assessment criteria. Unit 63002, a Type 1 2005 engine, is currently utilized as a reserve engine in the Fire Department fleet. For context, Type 1 engines are utilized for standard fire suppression actions, while Type 3 and Type 6 engines are most commonly employed for wildland fire suppression.
At 20 years old, Unit 63002 exceeds the City’s established 15-year replacement threshold outlined in Administrative Policy No. 09100.508. The unit also scores 53 on the APWA assessment, qualifying it for immediate replacement, as a score above 28 points warrants action. The APWA scoring methodology evaluates six factors: age, mileage/hours, reliability, maintenance and repair costs, overall condition, and service type. Unit 63002 is classified under “severe duty,” a designation for equipment that operates in harsh, highdemand environments such as emergency response. These conditions involve extended operational periods, exposure to extreme environments, and significant mechanical stress, all of which require a high degree of reliability.
ANALYSIS:
The proposed Pierce fire engine (pumper) closely aligns with the Fire Department’s existing apparatus specifications, utilizing the same major components, including the engine, transmission, suspension, and pump. This standardization supports operational familiarity and ensures compatibility across the fleet and supports long-term efficiency in training and maintenance.
In addition, Pierce has committed to a significantly accelerated build schedule. While comparable manufacturers are currently quoting industry-standard production times of 36 to 48 months, Pierce has committed to a 24-month build timeline. This reduced lead time allows the new pumper to be placed into service much sooner, supporting operational readiness and ensuring the timely replacement of the existing pumper.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Approval of the recommended actions will result in an appropriation in the amount of $1,598,337 to the Vehicle Procurement-Fire Operating and Maintenance Project No 68342. There is sufficient fund balance available for the recommended actions. Payment for the new fire engine (pumper) will be made in full upon delivery, anticipated in 24 months.
Exception to Competitive Bidding
City staff recommends that an exception to competitive bidding is warranted for this purchase pursuant to Corona Municipal Code (CMC) Section 3.08.125(A), which states "Competitive bidding already completed. When the purchasing agent and the authorized contracting party, with the approval of the City Manager, determines that:
1. A competitive bid procedure has been conducted by another public agency, including, but not limited to, another local agency, the state through the California Multiple Award Schedule (CMAS), the federal government through the General Services Administration (GSA), the U.S. Communities Government Purchasing Alliance, or the Western States Contracting Alliance (WSCA); and
2. The price to the City is equal to or better than the price to that public agency." On October 12, 2021, a Request for Proposals (“RFP”) #113021, was published on the cooperative purchasing program, Sourcewell website, inviting interested parties to submit proposals for Firefighting Apparatus and Fire Service Vehicles. Sourcewell received and opened 33 proposals by the due date of November 30, 2021.
All responses were evaluated by Sourcewell staff. Nine proposals were recommended and approved for award on February 15, 2022.
The City pursues cooperative purchasing agreements to save time, reduce administrative costs, enhance operational efficiency, and stretch budget resources through competitively negotiated pricing. By using cooperative purchasing, the City leverages a solicitation previously conducted by another government agency, enabling the City to take advantage of a vetted and competitively awarded contract.
Based on this previously conducted bid process by Sourcewell, the Corona Fire Department requests approval to purchase the Pierce Manufacturing fire engine (pumper) in the amount of $1,453,033.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS:
This action is exempt pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the Guidelines for the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), which states that a project is exempt from CEQA if the activity is covered by the commonsense exemption that CEQA applies only to projects that have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA. This action involves the purchase of a vehicle that meets California and federal emissions standards and there is no possibility that approving this project will have a significant effect on the environment. Therefore, no environmental analysis is required.
PREPARED BY: JUSTIN DETMER, FIRE CAPTAIN
REVIEWED BY: BRIAN YOUNG, FIRE CHIEF
REVIEWED BY: SAVAT KHAMPHOU, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Exhibit 1 – Oshkosh Sourcewell Contract
2. Exhibit 2 – Oshkosh Contract Awarded
3. Exhibit 3 – Sourcewell Request for Proposal
4. Exhibit 4 – Sourcewell Proposal Opening Record
5. Exhibit 5 – Sourcewell Proof of Publication
6. Exhibit 6 – Sourcewell Comment and Review
7. Exhibit 7 – South Coast Fire Equipment Price Letter
8. Exhibit 8 – Pierce Manufacturing Specification
9. Exhibit 9 - Pierce Manufacturing CAD Drawing
10.Exhibit 10 - Apparatus Assessment 63002