January 16, 2024
Police Department
DATE: January 16, 2024
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Bisa French, Chief of Police
Subject:
Contract with LC Action Police Supply for the Purchase
and Fitting of Ballistic Vests for Sworn Police Staff
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The proposed expenditure of $400,000 will be partially covered by the Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant
and the balance will come from the Richmond Police
Department’s approved safety equipment budget for the
term of the contract – account strings 10691021-400603- 19G10 and 01191021-400603.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
n/a
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
Ballistic vests mitigate the risks involved with
encountering armed individuals. Ballistic vests are
required to be replaced every five (5) years. Police
Department staff would like to enter into a contract with LC Action Police Supply to replace the vests as
necessary.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
APPROVE a contract with LC Action Police Supply in an
amount not to exceed $400,000, for a term beginning
January 17, 2024, through January 16, 2029, for the
purchase and fitting of police officer ballistic vests – Police Department (Chief Bisa French 510-621-1802).
AGENDA
REPORT
January 16, 2024
DISCUSSION:
In recent years, we have witnessed numerous incidents where police officers have encountered armed individuals. The use of ballistic vests has been instrumental in protecting officers from life-threatening injuries in these high-stakes situations. By wearing these vests, officers significantly increase their chances of survival in the event of a bullet striking an officer.
Every five (5) years, the ballistic vests worn by Richmond Police Department’s sworn officers require replacement according to manufacturer specifications. Department staff released a Request for Proposals (RFP) on August 16, 2023, with a due date of September 15, 2023. Two-hundred and three (203) vendors were notified, and four (4) responses were received. Out of a possible 100-point total, 20 points could be awarded for experience and 80 points for cost. LC Action Police Supply received the highest rating with 90 points, followed by Curtis Blue Line with 80 points, Proforce with 70 points, and Adamson with 60 points.
Funding for the ballistic vests will be partially offset by the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) awarded to the City of Richmond Police Department.
The JAG program is the leading source of federal justice funding to state and local jurisdictions and was created after Edward Byrne was shot and killed in the line of duty.
The JAG Program provides states, tribes, and local governments with critical funding necessary to support a range of program areas including law enforcement. Each year, the City of Richmond Police Department joins the grant application process with the Contra Costa County Sherriff’s Department, who designates Richmond Police Department as a subgrantee. The award amounts granted to the Richmond Police Department fluctuate annually, with previous awards ranging from $60,000 to $80,000.
The contract for vest replacements will span over the next five years, allowing for a gradual replacement of vests reaching or nearing expiration within that timeframe. The expiration date is determined by the vest's manufacturing date, and as vests are assigned to specific officers, their expiration aligns with the officer's start date. This naturally creates a staggered replacement schedule, unless unexpected damage deems a vest unusable. While efforts will be made to adhere to grant funding parameters for purchase costs, the timing of replacements may lead to some officers needing replacements before the next year's grant funds are available. In such cases, the safety equipment budget will be utilized to cover the difference. To minimize costs, the RFP specified that the awarded vendor must visit the Richmond Police Department to fit the officers, thereby reducing travel and overtime expenses for the Department’s personnel.
Police Department staff recommends approval of the five-year contract with LC Action for ballistic vests to ensure that the City of Richmond Police Officers stay safe in the line of duty.
January 16, 2024
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Standard Contract
Attachment 2 – Request for Proposals (RFP)
Attachment 3 – RFP Bid Responses
Attachment 4 – LC Action Proposal