CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
DATE: March 25, 2026 CONSENT CALENDAR
SUBJECT: APPROVE CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT NO. 26B040 WITH DESERT FIRE EXTINGUISHER CO. INC., FOR COMPREHENSIVE FIRE
SUPPRESSION SERVICES
FROM: Scott C. Stiles, City Manager
BY: David McAbee, Director of Public Works
SUMMARY:
This action will approve a construction contract with Desert Fire Extinguisher Co., Inc., for comprehensive fire suppression system services and fire extinguisher maintenance, testing, inspections, repairs, design and installation service in an amount not to exceed $975,000 for the initial three-year term.
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Approve Construction Contract No. 26B040 with Desert Fire Extinguisher Co., Inc., to provide comprehensive fire suppression services for an amount not to exceed $975,000 beginning April 1, 2026, through March 31, 2029, with two one-year extension options at the City’s sole discretion; and,
2. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all necessary documents.
BUSINESS PRINCIPAL DISCLOSURE:
According to the Public Integrity Disclosure form (Attachment B) submitted on February 26, 2026, Desert Fire Extinguisher Co., Inc., is registered in the state of California.
BACKGROUND:
The City of Palm Springs requires services from a licensed and qualified firm to provide comprehensive fire suppression system services for City owned and maintained facilities for the Public Works department. These services are critical to ensuring life safety and maintaining compliance with state and local fire codes.
City Council Staff Report
March 25, 2026 -- Page 2
Approve Contract No. 26B040 with Desert Fire Extinguisher 8 1
0 On March 23, 2023, the City Council awarded Contract Services Agreement No. 23B046 to Desert Fire Extinguisher Co., Inc., following a competitive bidding process (IFB 23-17) for fire suppression maintenance services. Agreement 23B046, which expires March 31, 2026, was established for a three-year term with a total contract amount of $300,000 and has been successfully performed by the contractor.
During the performance period of Agreement 23B046, staff identified opportunities to improve operational efficiency through an expanded service model. Agreement 23B046 is limited to routine maintenance, testing, and inspection services, requiring the City to separately procure design and installation services. As the City continues to invest in its infrastructure, staff determined that combining these services would streamline project delivery and ensure continuity of safety standards across all fire protection work.
Rather than extend Agreement 23B046, staff determined that a new competitive procurement would better serve the City's evolving needs and ensure all qualified contractors could compete for the expanded scope. The new solicitation expands the scope of services beyond only the maintenance services provided under Agreement 23B046 to include design and installation services for new construction and renovations, along with essential system upgrades.
Construction Contract No. 26B040 will provide continuity of services following the expiration of the existing Agreement 23B046 while expanding the scope to include design and installation services in addition to the ongoing maintenance, testing, and inspection services.
STAFF ANALYSIS:
An Invitation for Bids (IFB 26-02) was initiated by the City’s Procurement and Contracting Department on February 2, 2026, based on the Department of Public Works specifications. Bids were solicited directly via the City’s procurement vendor portal, PlanetBids. In addition, the IFB was advertised in The Desert Sun. Four bids were received by the February 26, 2026, deadline as follows:
Vendor Bid
Desert Fire Extinguisher Co., Inc. – Palm Springs, CA $1,623,610.50 Independent Fire Group, Inc. – Commerce, CA $1,925,949.00 Majestic Fire Inc. – Sherman Oaks, CA $2,376,756.40
Siemens – San Diego, CA $3,089,467.40
Construction Contract 26B040 with Desert Fire Extinguisher Co., Inc., is an on call, as needed type services contract. The bids were used to determine the lowest, responsive, responsible bidder and to set the unit rates for the contract; however, the actual amount of the contract is based on the budgeted amount set by the department and will therefore not match the bid amounts.
City Council Staff Report
March 25, 2026 -- Page 3
Approve Contract No. 26B040 with Desert Fire Extinguisher 8 1
0 Staff recommend approval of Contract No. 26B040 in an amount not to exceed $975,000 with Desert Fire Extinguisher Co., Inc., as the lowest, responsive, responsible bidder, effective from April 1, 2026, through March 31, 2029, subject to two one-year optional renewals at the sole discretion of the City. The unit pricing is fixed for the first year and subject to a CPI increase in the following years.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
The requested City Council action is not a “Project” as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Pursuant to Section 15378(a), a “Project” means the whole of an action, which has a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. The requested action is to approve contracts for the above-mentioned services, and is exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 15378(b), in that a “Project” does not include: (5) Organizational or administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment.
ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLANNING:
This item aligns with the following City Council Strategic Plan Broad Goal: Infrastructure and Facilities.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Funds are budgeted and available in the following accounts, and will be budgeted in subsequent fiscal years.
5206570-40105, and 50119 – Facilities Maintenance
2603205-50119 – Public Works Measure J Deferred Maintenance 2603080-80000 – Measure J Capital Projects
REVIEWED BY:
Assistant Director of Public Works: Daniel Martinez
Director Of Public Works: David McAbee
Procurement and Contracting Manager: Tabitha Richards
Assistant City Manager: Teresa Gallavan
City Manager: Scott Stiles
ATTACHMENTS:
A. Construction Contract No. 26B040
B. Public Integrity Disclosure – Desert Fire Extinguisher Co., Inc.