May 2, 2023
Police Department
DATE: May 2, 2023
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Bisa French, Chief of Police
Subject:
Purchase of Replacement Service Weapons for the
Richmond Police Department
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The funding amount of $98,485 will come from RPD’s asset forfeiture fund – account string 10491521-400603.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
n/a
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
The current service weapons used by Richmond Police
Department (RPD) sworn personnel are well past their
useful lives. The cost of required maintenance costs
including replacement parts is estimated to exceed the
cost of purchasing new service weapons, which will last longer and require less ongoing maintenance. RPD
would like to use $98,485 from its asset forfeiture fund to secure the replacement of its service weapons.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
APPROVE a purchase order with All State Police
Equipment, in an amount not to exceed $98,485, to allow the Richmond Police Department to acquire replacement
service weapons – Police Department (Chief Bisa French
510-621-1802).
AGENDA
REPORT
May 2, 2023
DISCUSSION:
On July 27, 2022, the Richmond Police Department (“RPD”) issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) with a closing date of August 26, 2022, seeking the lowest bidder(s) of a five (5) item police service weapon package. As specified in the RFP, the bid was to be awarded to the lowest bidder of the package, or lowest bidder of a single item to complete the package of the five (5) items. The Department spent several months on the process of evaluating its current inventory and determining the equipment which best suited its needs. After testing and evaluating options, the Department created a list of specified equipment that it determined would be most suitable for its officers. It included the purchase of Smith & Wesson M&P service pistols, Aimpoint red dot reflex sights, and Streamlight TLR service weapon flashlights.
The Department informed bidders that it would not accept equipment substitutions. It also explained to bidders that it would allow bids on a partial package, but only in full quantities of 100 (for each item). Bidders were also allowed to bid on providing single items.
At the close of the bid, two vendors submitted the lowest bids: Curtis Blue Line and All State Police Equipment; however, only All State Police Equipment has confirmed the ability to meet 2022 RFP pricing with the manufacturer, and further negotiations will be held to determine a suitable vendor for the holster and magazine pouch.
Attachment 4: Service Weapon Analysis
Vendor
Name
Smith
and
Wesson
LC
Action USIQ
Curtis
Blue Line
All State
Police
Equip
Clyde
Armory
Professional
Police
Supply
Proforce
Law
Enforcement
Lowest
Line Item
Line Items
1 S&W M&P
2.0 $45,200 $41,970 $44,650 $42,389 $41,970
2 Red Dot
Sight $45,588 $45,300 $44,700 $45,518 $46,668 $44,768 $44,700 3 Streamlight $11,902 $12,304 $12,000 $11,815 $13,552 $12,115 $12,021 $11,815 4 Holster $11,833 $11,520 $12,180 $12,200 $11,520
5 Magazine
Pouch $2,143 $2,090 $2,245 $2,210 $2,090
$45,200 $71,466 $12,304 $70,910 $98,485 $59,070 $117,858 $113,588 $112,095
Based on the responses to the bid, the Department is seeking authorization to execute a purchase order with All State Police Equipment in an amount not to exceed $98,485 to acquire 100 units of the following: Smith & Wesson service pistols, Aimpoint red dot reflex sights, and Streamlight TLR service weapon flashlights.
Cost Analysis Supports Replacing the Department Current Service Weapon Inventory
The department currently issues its Officers the Generation 3 Glock 21 and Generation 3/4 Glock 22 pistols. These service pistols have performed as expected for over twelve
May 2, 2023
years with minimal issues. However, these service pistols require significant maintenance to remain in service. Due to a combination of time and use/cycles, there are wearable parts that may require maintenance or replacement.
The list of parts that should be replaced if the pistols remain in service include but are not limited to:
1. Connector
2. Extractor
3. Extractor Depressor Plunger
4. Extractor Depressor Plunger Spring
5. Firing Pin Channel Liner
6. Firing Pin Spacer Sleeve
7. Firing Pin Safety
8. Firing Pin Spring
9. Magazines (3 Total)
10. Magazine Catch
11. Recoil Spring Assembly
12. Sight (Front)
13. Sight (Rear)
14. Slide Lock
15. Slide Lock Spring
16. Slide Stop Lever
17. Spring Cups
18. Spring Loaded Bearing
19. Trigger Housing w/ Ejector
20. Trigger Spring
Some of these items can be inspected for significant wear or impending breakage, but most of these issues are not usually found until the pistol has begun to malfunction.
Waiting for a service pistol to malfunction before replacing components can obviously have catastrophic consequences if this occurs outside of training situations.
According to the manufacturer (GLOCK), major maintenance is due after approximately five years of service, with specific components such as the recoil spring having a recommended replacement interval of as low as 3,000 rounds on older generation 3 pistols. Other components such as the “night” sights have a useful lifespan of approximately ten to twelve years. The Department’s current inventory is at least 12 years old with some inventory being well over 14 years old. The age of the equipment combined with its use at academy and in-service training, which includes yearly qualification shoots, monthly firearms and tactics training, and state-mandated (POST) advanced officer (AO) firearms training contributes to wear and reduced functionality.
As a result, the Department’s current service weapons are in immediate need of refurbishment or replacement.
May 2, 2023
Refurbishment of the existing inventory was explored but net costs per pistol ranged between $292 - $319. As of November 2021, the best pricing that RPD could procure for the parts needed was approximately $199 per pistol. This price has likely increased due to time and inflation. The two hours of service time necessary for replacement and repair of each pistol ranged in cost between $93 to $120 per hour. The cost per hour is measured based on overtime hours necessitated by the department’s current staffing shortage. Further costs will be incurred as range time is necessary to test each firearm before it is placed back into service. Some pistols will possibly require that additional parts be replaced (beyond the general list that was provided above). The equipment costs for the new pistols are approximately $420 per unit and would more or less guarantee a serviceable weapon for another five years without any major replacements or refurbishments.
Beyond the financial considerations, there have been significant improvements to service pistols, ammunition, and other needed accessories which make up a modern service pistol package.
After an exhaustive testing and evaluation process, which included feedback from patrol officers, the Department recommends the acquisition of the Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0 chambered in 9mm Parabellum as the replacement department-issued service pistol.
This purchase is the most cost-effective and tactically sound choice the Department has for equipping and protecting its officers.
The Police Department would like to draw on funds in its asset forfeiture fund, which according to federal and state laws, one of the primary goals of asset forfeiture is to punish, disrupt, and deter criminal activity by seizing items used to facilitate the activity or acquired through it. However, another primary goal of federal and state laws is to ensure due process to uphold individuals’ rights. RPD’s asset forfeiture fund is strictly regulated and is only awarded new funding at the decision of a court judge. Of the net amount seized, only 43.75 percent is retained by RPD for allowable uses, such as law enforcement equipment and training.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Request for Proposals
Attachment 2 – Participation List
Attachment 3 – Vendor Submissions
Attachment 4 – Bid Analysis