PAS^b^0
^^^- •s.
0 •d *
© z
03 0<0 0
^^ -^^ 0,y. ^reo
Agenda Report
April 14, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Fire Department
SUBJECT: AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH BRAUN NORTHWEST INC FOR THE PURCHASE OF THREE (3)
2026 NORTH STAR 171-1 AMBULANCES FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $1,406,939
RECOMMENDATION:
s,.
t
It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Find that the recommended actions are exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines per Section 15061(b)(3), the "Common Sense" exemption that CEQA applies only to projects which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment;
2. Authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with Braun Northwest Inc for the purchase of three (3) 2026 North Star 171-1 Ambulances in an amount not to exceed $1,406,939. Competitive price bidding is not required pursuant to the City Charter Section, 1002(H) Contracts with other governmental entities or their contractors for labor, materials, supplies, or services; and
3. Grant the recommended contract an exemption from the Competitive Selection process pursuant to Pasadena Municipal Code Section 4.08.049(B), contracts for which the City's best interests are served.
BACKGROUND:
The Pasadena Fire Department (PFD) is an "All Hazard" response agency which responds to all calls for public assistance including emergency medical service, fires, technical rescues and other hazards. In calendar year 2024, the PFD responded to 20,854 calls for sen/ice, of which 16,973 (81%) were medical-related emergencies.
The PFD currently operates twelve (12) rescue ambulances (RAs), six (6) of which are front line RAs and six (6) are in reserve status. The RAs to be replaced are currently I
i
i
I
I
MEETING OF04/14/2025AGENDA ITEM NO..1
Authorize the City Manager to Enter Into a Contract with Braun Northwest Inc April 14, 2025
located at Fire Stations 32, 33 and 34 to assist with over 1,996, 3,519, and 2,518 responses annually, respectively. Rescue ambulances currently have an estimated build and delivery time of approximately 530 - 580 days based upon manufacturing conditions. The RAs to be replaced will have exceeded their useful lives as front line RAs and will be eligible for replacement in 2027, at the anticipated time of receipt of the three (3) new 2026 North Star 171-1 Ambulances. Upon delivery of the ambulances, units #966, #967, and #968 will be placed into reserve status, and units #956, 957 and 958 will be salvaged. The salvage value will be returned to the Department's Fleet Replacement Fund. Replacing vehicles that have exceeded their useful lives eliminates the need for costly repairs due to age and wear.
In preparation for this purchase, the PFD created a committee to develop the vehicle specifications based on current and future departmental needs, and the budget allocated for the purchase. This committee was comprised of a diverse selection of departmental staff, Fire Captains, firefighter paramedics, and other experienced personnel including mechanics from Fleet Maintenance. The committee solicited input from the entire Department and consulted with personnel to be assigned to this equipment to determine the capabilities and features required of the new RAs. It was also determined there are no electric options available for a Type 3 RA, due to the gross vehicle weight rating of 16,500 Ibs. Based on the existing fleet of RAs the 2026 North Star 171-1 on a 2025 Ford F-450 4x2 Ambulance Prep diesel chassis was the model determined by the committee to be the best fit.
The Houston Galveston Area Council (HGAC) is one of the largest regional planning commissions in the country and focuses on providing purchasing solutions to jurisdictions. Purchasing the requested RAs utilizing the HGAC contract is in the City's best interest as it reduces the amount of time required to take delivery of new equipment and eliminates the need to solicit for items that are already competitively priced. One such effort managed by HGAC is HGACBuy, a nationwide government procurement service which aims to make the process more efficient. HGACBuy awards contracts through a public competitive procurement process; contracts are available to participating members such as the City of Pasadena. Moreover, the fact that HGACBuy awarded its contract through a competitive bidding process ensures the cost competitiveness of the purchase.
On June 9, 2023, HGACBuy issued an invitation to submit competitive bids for "Ambulances, EMS, & other Special Service Vehicles." The bid process closed on August 10, 2023 and 21 bids were received. The HGACBuy staff evaluated all the proposals and authorized contracts with the lowest responsible bidders for product items across multiple categories. As a result of the evaluation, HGACBuy extended a contract to Braun Northwest Inc for the 2026 North Star 171-1 model rescue ambulance. City staff have reviewed the bid specifications issued by HGACBuy and have confirmed they meet current and future department needs for ambulances. Braun has agreed to extend the prices, terms, and conditions to the City of Pasadena for the purchase of three (3) 2026 North Star 171-1 Ambulance using hlGACBuy Contract #AM10-23. The terms and prices of Contract #AM10-23 are effective from 10/01/2023 through 09/30/2027.
Authorize the City Manager to Enter Into a Contract with Braun Northwest Inc April 14, 2025
COUNCIL POLICY CONSIDERATION:
The proposed contract furthers the City Council's strategic planning goal to ensure public safety.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS:
This purchase complies with all South Coast Air Quality Management District rules and regulations for engine emissions and clean air standards in the South Coast basin.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The cost of this action is $1,406,939. Funding for this action will be addressed by the utilization of future budgeted appropriations in the Fleet Replacement Fund (Fund 503).
The vehicles are estimated to be received and payment to be processed in fiscal year 2027. Indirect and support costs such as maintenance and repair are anticipated to be $30,000 over the 10 year lifecycle for each vehicle, and will be addressed as part of the Fire Department's annual operating budget.
Respectfully submitted,
&^J
CHAD AUGUSTI
Fire Chief
Fire Department
Prepared by:
Stephanie Chang
Management Analyst V
Fire Department
Approved by:
MIGUELMARQUEZ
City Manager