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25-88175
CITY OF GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA
REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM
Report: Standardization of Knox Corporation Products
1. Resolution to dispense with competitive bidding to establish the Knox Corporation as the City's standard narcotic safe manufacturer and authorizing the Deputy Director of Finance/Purchasing to procure related software, hardware, parts, maintenance, and services.
COUNCIL ACTION
Item Type: Action Item
Approved for July 1, 2025 calendar
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Glendale Fire Department requests approval to designate Knox Corporation (Knox) as the exclusive vendor for secure narcotic access and storage solutions. This request is due to the need to replace outdated narcotics safes in the emergency response fleet and the long-term goal of standardizing equipment for security, efficiency, and interoperability.
The current safes have exceeded their service life and lack necessary security features required for compliance with regulations. The Fire Department, in collaboration with the IT Department, has piloted three Knox narcotic safes on multiple emergency apparatus resources over the last year and these safes have shown reliability and ease of use, with benefits such as reduced access time in emergencies and improved inventory tracking.
Knox is recognized for providing secure access solutions for first responders at both regional and national levels, with a reputation for quality and durability, and have proven to be considered the gold standard for our narcotic storage needs. The Fire Department has used Knox products for key storage solutions over multiple decades and has always been satisfied with their products and service and have been equally pleased with their narcotic safe products in the past year.
RECOMMENDATION
Dispense with competitive bidding establishing Knox Corporation as the City standard manufacturer and authorizing the Deputy Director of Finance-Purchasing to procure related software, hardware, parts, maintenance, and services. {{section.number}}{{item.number}}2
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ANALYSIS
The Glendale Fire Department must maintain a narcotic storage system in accordance with State and Federal regulations. When the current narcotic storage system vendor was sold to a new company after approximately ten years of use, our hardware was deemed to have reached the end of life and would therefore not be supported by the new company.
In collaboration with the IT Department, Staff then researched the best replacement solution and has determined through a pilot program that the Knox product is the gold standard for our narcotic storage needs. Given the stringent regulations enforced by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and other regulatory authorities, it is imperative that our equipment is reliable in both hardware and software. Our current mixed fleet of safes presents a risk to our accountability; however, transitioning to an exclusive fleet of Knox products would mitigate this concern. The current safes have surpassed their service life and lack critical security features necessary for regulatory compliance. Knox safes offer essential features such as PIN/password access, detailed audit histories, and tamper- evident designs. These are crucial for ensuring secure and accountable handling of controlled substances, minimizing diversion risks, and maintaining compliance.
Pilot Program: In collaboration with the IT Department, the Fire Department successfully piloted three Knox narcotic safes on multiple emergency apparatus resources.
Evaluation: The pilot program included a comprehensive evaluation of the Knox safes' performance. Key aspects evaluated were ease of use, reliability, security features, and system integration.
Compliance: The compliance of Knox safes with DEA regulations and other relevant laws was verified.
Cost-Benefit Analysis: A cost-benefit analysis compared the costs of maintaining the current mixed fleet versus converting to an exclusive fleet of Knox products. The analysis revealed that the long-term benefits of standardizing Knox products—including improved security, reduced maintenance costs, and enhanced efficiency—outweigh the initial investment.
By converting to an exclusive fleet of Knox products, the Glendale Fire Department will enhance its ability to securely and efficiently manage controlled substances, ensure regulatory compliance, and improve overall operational effectiveness.
STAKEHOLDERS/OUTREACH
N/A
FISCAL IMPACT
Funding has already been approved as a part of the FY 2024-25 budget; therefore, no additional appropriation is being requested at this time. Funding for the remaining years will be addressed during the annual budget process. The City Council approved funding is outlined below:
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Existing Appropriation
Amount Account String Funding Source
$95,000 GL: 51000-6030-ISD-0020-P0000-
PL: ISD01179AN
Infrastructure Fund
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW (CEQA/NEPA)
N/A
CAMPAIGN DISCLOSURE
This item is exempt from campaign disclosure requirements.
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Alternative 1: Approve as requested by the Fire Department.
Alternative 2: Deny the Fire Department’s request.
Alternative 3: The City Council may consider any other alternative not proposed by staff.
ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION
Submitted by:
Jeffrey Brooks, Acting Fire Chief
Prepared by:
Jason Miller, Assistant Chief Information Officer
Todd Tucker, Deputy Chief
Approved by:
Roubik R. Golanian, P.E., City Manager
EXHIBITS/ATTACHMENTS
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