CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
DATE: JULY 8, 2026 CONSENT CALENDAR
SUBJECT: AUTHORIZE THE PURCHASE OF ONE (1) LENCO BEARCAT
ARMORED VEHICLE
FROM: Scott C. Stiles, City Manager
BY: David McAbee, Director of Public Works
SUMMARY:
This action will authorize the issuance of a purchase order for the acquisition of one (1) new Lenco BearCat G3 armored vehicle in an amount not to exceed $449,125, inclusive of a 10% contingency.
The proposed purchase will replace the City’s existing armored vehicle with updated equipment that better supports current operational requirements, officer and community safety, and regional emergency-response capabilities.
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Approve the issuance of a purchase order to Lenco Industries, Inc., for the purchase of one (1) new Lenco BearCat armored vehicle, in an amount not to exceed $449,125, inclusive of a 10% contingency; and
2. Once the new Lenco BearCat has been received and placed into service, declare the existing 2006 Lenco BearCat, Unit 074, surplus, waive the disposition requirements of Section 7.08.02 of the Palm Springs Municipal Code, and authorize the City Manager or designee to donate or transfer the vehicle, on an “as-is, where-is” basis, to an eligible neighboring city, municipal law enforcement agency, or other public agency, or, if no suitable recipient is identified staff will return to City Council prior to surplus of the 2006 Lenco BearCat; and
3. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all necessary documents.
BUSINESS PRINCIPAL DISCLOSURE:
According to the Public Integrity Disclosure form (Attachment A) Lenco Armored Vehicles Inc. is registered in the state of California.
City Council Staff Report
July 8,2026 -- Page 2
Authorize the Purchase of One Lenco BearCat Armored Vehicle BACKGROUND:
On June 5, 1996, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 18834 (Attachment B), establishing the City’s Equipment Replacement Policy. The policy provides criteria for replacing vehicles based on factors including vehicle type, age, mileage, condition, and operational need. A copy of the resolution is included as an attachment to this report.
During prior economic downturns, the City suspended its regular vehicle replacement program and authorized replacements primarily on an emergency or critical-need basis.
This resulted in a backlog of aging vehicles with increased mileage, wear, and maintenance needs. In recent years, the City Council has authorized the purchase of replacement vehicles, as well as additional vehicles required for newly established positions, helping to reduce the City’s vehicle replacement backlog.
The City’s existing Lenco BearCat, unit 074, has been in service since 2006 and is now approximately 20 years old. Due to the age of the unit and the specialized public safety role it serves, replacement is necessary to ensure the Police Department has reliable and updated equipment available for emergency response operations. The BearCat is used to support high-risk public safety incidents, including rescue operations, active threats, barricaded subjects, and other critical situations where officer, firefighter, paramedic, and civilian safety may be at risk.
The Palm Springs Police Department recognizes its primary role in protecting the community and maintaining public peace, as well as the significant responsibility associated with possessing and using military-style equipment. The use of this equipment requires accountability, transparency, appropriate training, and clearly defined operational procedures. Armored rescue vehicles provide critical protection to law enforcement officers and other public safety personnel when responding to incidents involving armed individuals, high-powered firearms, active threats, and other dangerous circumstances.
The Lenco BearCat is an armored rescue vehicle that provides ballistic protection for its occupants. It is classified as military equipment under California Government Code Section 7070(c) and Palm Springs Police Department Policy No. 709.
Under Policy No. 709, the deployment of an armored vehicle is limited to circumstances authorized by a Watch Commander or SWAT Commander based on the specific conditions of a critical incident. The vehicle may be operated only by personnel trained in its deployment and must be used in a manner consistent with Department policy and training. Operators must possess a valid California driver license. Armored vehicles are not authorized for routine patrol activities and may not be used for crowd-control purposes unless violence has escalated to a level involving a threat of lethal force against members of the public or law enforcement personnel.
City Council Staff Report
July 8,2026 -- Page 3
Authorize the Purchase of One Lenco BearCat Armored Vehicle The BearCat also supports Desert Regional SWAT, a regional team consisting of personnel from the Cathedral City, Indio, and Palm Springs police departments. The regional team supports large-scale and high-profile events and may be required to respond to time-sensitive critical incidents within any of the participating jurisdictions.
Because the BearCat may be operated with a valid Class C driver license, trained patrol personnel may deploy the vehicle during rapidly evolving emergencies to establish protected corridors, assist with evacuations, and enhance officer and civilian safety while regional tactical personnel are mobilizing.
STAFF ANALYSIS:
As the age of the City’s existing fleet of vehicles increases, the annual cost to maintain these vehicles also increases. Staff monitor the ongoing operational and maintenance cost of its older vehicles and have identified an inventory of vehicles that should be replaced with new vehicles given the accumulated cost of repairs in comparison to the current value of the vehicle.
The City’s fleet inventory identifies an expected useful life of approximately 15 to 20 years for this type of specialized vehicle. Due to its age and regular operational use, the existing BearCat has experienced increasing wear and has reached the end of its expected service life. Replacing the vehicle will improve reliability, reduce the potential for downtime, and ensure that the City maintains an effective armored-rescue capability.
The Public Works Department, in coordination with the Police Department, proposes purchasing one new Lenco BearCat G3 armored rescue vehicle from Lenco Industries, Inc. through Houston-Galveston Area Council Cooperative (H-GAC) Contract No. AM10-
23. Palm Springs Municipal Code Section 7.03.09, “Special Procurement Methods,” subsection 5, “Cooperative Purchasing Programs,” authorizes the City Council to approve the acquisition of supplies or services through a joint powers authority or another cooperative purchasing program established by a public entity or association of public agencies or officials. Such purchases may be authorized when the vendor was selected through a competitive process similar to the requirements of Title 7, or through a process otherwise adequate to protect the public interest, and when economies of scale, the nature of the product, or market conditions make cooperative purchasing advantageous to the City.
H-GAC is a public agency that conducts competitive solicitations and awards contracts to qualified vendors. Participating public agencies benefit from competitively established pricing, economies of scale, and a streamlined procurement process. Utilizing H-GAC Cooperative Contract No. AM10-23 will allow the City to efficiently procure the specialized vehicle necessary to support the operational and emergency-response needs of the Palm Springs Police Department.
City Council Staff Report
July 8,2026 -- Page 4
Authorize the Purchase of One Lenco BearCat Armored Vehicle Police Department:
Has 1 existing vehicle that is 20 years old and requires replacement.
Existing Unit # Year Make/Model Mileage
074 2006 Lenco BearCat 20,565
This vehicle is being replaced with the vehicle shown below:
Replacement Make/Model Cost
One (1) 2026 Lenco BearCat $408,296.00
Contingency 10% $40,829.00
Total Estimated Cost $449,125.00
*Vehicle Year, Make and Model may change due to availability.
The process of ordering, delivering, upfitting, and placing the new Lenco BearCat into service is expected to take approximately two years. The 2006 Lenco BearCat, Unit 074, will remain in active service throughout this period, ensuring the Police Department is not without an armored-rescue vehicle. During this time, the Police Department would like to retain the option to identify an eligible recipient for the existing BearCat, should a suitable agency and regional public-safety need arise. Any donation or transfer would occur only after the new BearCat is fully in service, on an “as-is, where-is” basis, to an eligible neighboring city, municipal law enforcement agency, or other public agency, with the receiving agency assuming all future maintenance, repair, insurance, regulatory, and operating costs. Any such transfer would be made consistent with Policy No. 709, Section 709.6, and the Association of Riverside County Chiefs of Police (ARCCOPS) mutual aid agreement, under which cities within Riverside County have agreed to accept the use of each agency’s Military Equipment policy for enforcement actions throughout the county.
Given restrictions under California law on the ownership and possession of military equipment, the Department requests that the City Council waive the applicable requirements of Section 7.08.02 to allow for the donation or intergovernmental transfer described above, as determined by the City Manager or designee. If no suitable recipient is identified staff will return to City Council prior to surplus of the 2006 Lenco BearCat.
Staff recommend approval for the purchase of one new Lenco BearCat G3 armored rescue vehicle from Lenco Industries, Inc. through H-GAC Cooperative Contract No.
AM10-23 in an amount not to exceed $449,125, inclusive of applicable taxes, fees, delivery costs, equipment, and a 10% contingency.
City Council Staff Report
July 8,2026 -- Page 5
Authorize the Purchase of One Lenco BearCat Armored Vehicle 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. According to Section 15378(b), 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: Public Safety and Community Services
FISCAL IMPACT:
Sufficient funds for this purchase are available in the following accounts:
1205030-50032
1005000-60015
REVIEWED BY:
Assistant Director of Public Works: Daniel Martinez
Director of Public Works: David McAbee
Procurement and Contracting Manager: Tabitha Richards
Chief of Police: Andrew G. Mills
Director of Finance & Treasurer: Kristopher J. Mooney
Assistant City Manager: Teresa Gallavan
City Manager: Teresa Gallavan for Scott Stiles
ATTACHMENTS:
A. Public Integrity Disclosure
B. Resolution No. 18834