Police Department
www.santa-ana.org/pd
Item # 23
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Staff Report
May 5, 2026
TOPIC: Ballistic Helmets, Ballistic Plates, and Plate Carriers
AGENDA TITLE
Purchase Order to Sarkar Tactical, Inc. for Ballistic Helmets, Ballistic Plates, and Plate Carriers (Specification No. 26-007A) and Appropriation Adjustment (Non-General Fund – U.S. Dept. of Justice)
RECOMMENDED ACTION
1. Authorize a Purchase Order to Sarkar Tactical, Inc. for ballistic helmets, ballistic plates, and plate carriers in an amount not to exceed $395,218.
2. Approve an appropriation adjustment to recognize $345,960 of prior-year fund balance in the U.S. Department of Justice Asset Forfeiture Funds and appropriate same to the Miscellaneous Operating Expenses expenditure account. (Requires five affirmative votes)
GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLIES: No
DISCUSSION
Ballistic protective gear is essential for ensuring officer safety in an environment where threats involving firearms and other deadly weapons are increasingly prevalent. Police personnel are routinely exposed to unpredictable and rapidly evolving situations, including armed confrontations, high-risk stops, warrant services, active threat incidents, and mobile field force applications. The use of ballistic vests, helmets, and shields significantly reduces the risk of serious injury or death.
Currently the Santa Ana Police Department issues concealable body armor capable of stopping most commercially manufactured hand gun ammunition. While this body armor is adequate for the majority of incidents, it does not provide adequate ballistic protection against incidents involving high powered rifles.
On November 20, 2018, the City Council authorized the purchase of 311 ballistic plates and plate carriers. These plates and plate carriers, issued to every sworn member, were certified by the National Institute of Justice to stop bullets fired from most rifles. This inventory has since been depleted. Additionally, the existing plates that
Ballistic Helmets, Ballistic Plates, and Plate Carriers May 5, 2026
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have been issued are no longer under warranty and have reached their guaranteed life span. The plate carriers are experiencing wear and tear after being issued for over five years.
The existing ballistic plates are made of steel. In replacing the body armor for sworn members, the department determined light weight polyethylene ballistic plates and the compatible plate carriers would offer the same level of protection. This will help mitigate fatigue and injury, as the most common injuries with heavier plates include neck, shoulder, hips, and back ailments.
Invitation for Bids (IFB) no. 26-007A was issued on January 15, 2026 on the City’s online bid management and publication system. A summary of vendor participation and results is as follows:
445 Vendors notified
3 Santa Ana vendors notified
54 Vendors downloaded the bid packet
17 Responsive Bids received
0 Responsive Bids received from Santa Ana vendors
Bids were solicited, opened on February 5, 2026, and evaluated (Exhibit 1). Seventeen bids were submitted by the IFB deadline and were determined to be responsive to the specifications and met the City’s requirements. The bid submitted by Sakar Tactical, Inc. was determined to be the lowest responsible bid, was responsive to the specifications, and meets the City’s requirements.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
There is no environmental impact associated with this action.
FISCAL IMPACT
Upon approval of the appropriation adjustment, funds will be available in the following accounts for the specified year:
Fiscal
Year
Account Unit –
Account #
Fund
Description
Accounting Unit,
Account Description Amount
FY 25-26 16614450-63001 US Dept of
Justice AFF
Misc. Operating
Expenses $395,218
Total $395,218
Ballistic Helmets, Ballistic Plates, and Plate Carriers May 5, 2026
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EXHIBIT(S)
1. Abstract of Bids (26-007A)
Submitted By: Robert Rodriguez, Police Chief
Approved By: Alvaro Nuñez, City Manager