City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: APRIL 11, 2023 FROM: FIRE DEPARTMENT WARDS: ALL
SUBJECT: INCREASE PURCHASE ORDER NO. 230106 WITH LIFE-ASSIST INC., IN THE AMOUNT OF $20,000 FOR THE PURCHASE OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL SUPPLIES FOR A REVISED PURCHASE ORDER AMOUNT OF $69,950 ISSUES:
Authorize the increase to Purchase Order No. 230106 with Life-Assist, Inc., of Rancho Cordova, California in the amount of $20,000 for the purchase of emergency medical supplies for a revised purchase order amount of $69,950.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council authorize an increase to Purchase Order No. 230106 with Life-Assist, Inc., of Rancho Cordova, California, in the amount of $20,000 for the purchase of emergency medical supplies for a revised purchase order amount of $69,950.
BACKGROUND:
In the mid 1930’s, the Riverside Fire Department began providing basic emergency medical service. All Fire personnel were trained as Emergency Medical Technicians in the mid 1980’s. The department then implemented an automatic defibrillator program in 1998, which ultimately evolved to an advanced life support service in 2000 with the addition of paramedics.
Today every fire engine, truck company and rescue squad in the City is staffed with a paramedic firefighter, monitoring equipment and supplies for the treatment of ill and injured patients with disposable and non-disposable items, such as biohazard protection equipment, suction equipment, drugs for the treatment of respiratory and heart-related concerns.
On April 12, 2022, Riverside County entered into Professional Services Agreement FPARC-0003996, with Life-Assist, Inc., to supply Riverside County Fire with EMS supplies, pharmaceuticals, and training through March 31, 2026.
On July 26, 2022, the Riverside Fire Department issued a purchase order with Life-Assist, Inc., in the amount of $49,950 to cover the FY22/23 annual needs for EMS supplies. This purchase order was released with Life-Assist extending the County of Riverside’s contract pricing to the City of Riverside, utilizing Purchasing Resolution 23914, Section 602(f) Acquisition of Goods, states that, “Competitive Procurement through the Informal Procurement and Formal Procurement process shall not be required in any of the following circumstances: …(f) When Cooperative Purchasing is available and undertaken or when Goods can be obtained through Federal, State and/or other public entity pricing contracts or price agreements”.
DISCUSSION:
The Riverside Fire Department would like to continue to utilize Life-Assist, Inc., of Rancho Cordova, California, for the purchase of medical monitoring equipment and supplies. Providing emergency medical services is an essential component of the Fire Department (Department). The Department often is the first line medical responder for critical illnesses and injuries in the City. In addition, the Department strives to deliver emergency services utilizing non-transport fire apparatus.
With a random sampling of commonly purchased items, the average savings while using the County of Riverside contract is approximately 25%.
Product (Random Sampling)
Open Market Pricing
County of Riverside Contract Pricing
Savings
Savings Percentage
SUPRENO SE Nitrile Exam Gloves
$24.90
$19.00
$5.90
31%
MIDKNIGHT Notrile Exam Gloves
$22.78
$17.00
$5.78
34%
RUSH-72 Backpack 55L, Black
$179.99
$161.46
$18.53
11%
Kendall WEBCOL Alcohol Prep Pad, 2 ply
$2.33
$2.28
$0.05
2%
CURAD Adhesive Bandage, Fabric 1"x3"
$4.99
$3.11
$1.88
60%
DYNAREX Cold Pack, 5"x9"
$24.24
$20.40
$3.84
19%
26%
Purchasing Resolution 23914, Section 1104, Change Orders states that “Unless otherwise specifically authorized by the Awarding Entity, Change Orders which cumulatively exceed the following will require Awarding Entity approval…(b) Any Change Order which causes the contract price to exceed $50,000, if the Contract and/or Purchase Order was not previously approved by the Awarding Entity.” The Purchasing Manager concurs that this purchase is compliant with Purchasing Resolution 23914.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This item contributes to Strategic Priority No. 2 Community Well-Being and Goal No. 2.3 – Strengthen neighborhood identifies and improve community health and the physical environment through amenities and programs that foster an increased sense of community and enhanced feelings of pride and belonging citywide.
This item aligns with Each of the five Cross-Cutting Threads as follows:
Community Trust – The Emergency Medical Services has increased the capabilities and capacities of our first responders for over a decade increasing community trust in our emergency medical response efforts.
Equity – The Riverside Fire Department strives to serve the community with duty and honor by protecting and preserving life, property, and the environment through prevention, education, medical, rescue, and fire suppression services.
Fiscal Responsibility – To provide a timely response, with the highest quality emergency services to the community. The departments’ goal is to optimize these services through fiscal responsibility.
Innovation – Emergency Medical Services is the most efficient and effective standard for the rapid delivery of medical services. The goals are to create and maintain services that are receptive to change and seek to improve critical care we delivery to the community.
Sustainability & Resiliency – Virtually every firefighter in the department receives medical training as a part of their normal training agenda. Emergency Medical Services provide the community with a sense a well-being by providing basic CPR and to use of critical care and life support devices.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total fiscal impact of the action is $20,000. Sufficient funds are budgeted and available in General Fund, Fire-Operations-Paramedic, All Other Equipment Account No. 3510100-424220.
Prepared by: Michael D. Moore, Fire Chief
Certified as to
availability of funds: Edward Enriquez, Chief Financial Officer/City Treasurer Approved by: Mike Futrell, City Manager
Approved as to form: Phaedra A. Norton, City Attorney
Attachment: Riverside County Contract ID: FPARC-34500-001-03/22 Life Assist – Page 2
Life Assist – Page 3