City of Watertown Watertown City Council August 16 th, 2018 Agenda Item: Capital Project Self Contained Breathing Apparatus Request for Action: Adopt Resolution #2018-105, Authorizing the Solicitation of Quotes Department: Ryan Schroeder, Fire Chief Request for Action Background: The Watertown Fire Department currently utilizes Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) that were manufactured in September of 2003. In the Capital Improvement Plan, air packs and air bottles, which complete the SCBA package as project #FC021 & FC022, are scheduled for replacement in 2018 at a budgeted cost of $215,000. The National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) identifies the life cycle of a SCBA to be 15 years. In addition, SCBA bottles must be hydrotested every three years in order to ensure they are in working order to be utilized by firefighters. However, the companies who perform hydrotesting services will not hydrotest bottles older than 15 years of age. The 2003 Drager SCBA s we utilize have had increased maintenance issues in recent years. Bottles are in need of repair due to normal wear and tear. Air leaks as a result of seals needing replacement has become more common with each year that passes. In addition, SCBA mask straps and strap adjustors are breaking more frequently. New SCBA s will bring enhanced safety features. Among these features is a uniform sounding alarm that activates due to a period of inactivity by the firefighter. In addition, the mask lenses are rated for higher temperatures. Also, the low air alarm activates when the bottle has 33% of its air remaining, which is a higher percentage than the 25% mark that our current SCBA s activate. Another benefit of new SCBA s is the ability to purchase higher capacity bottles, which will allow for longer working times. The final highlighted benefit of updated equipment is the quick connect feature, which allows firefighters to replace their depleted air bottle more quickly than the threaded connections used in our current equipment. Due to recommendations by the National Fire Protection Agency, the inability to continue hydrotesting our current air bottles, increased maintenance issues of our current equipment, and enhanced safety features of new equipment, fire department staff recommend purchasing new equipment. As our current equipment aged, fire department staff formed a committee to evaluate our options. The committee has identified new Drager SCBA s as the appropriate product for our agency. Preliminary pricing estimates for this equipment is below $175,000. Recent legislative changes to the open bidding requirements has increased the threshold in which municipalities may solicit quotes from $100,000. Since the anticipated cost of these items is below the $175,000 staff recommends the solicitation of quotes from qualified vendors for the preferred equipment. Utilizing the draft of the Vehicle and Equipment Replacement Policy, our 2003 Drager SCBA s accumulate 15 points for the age of the equipment, 3 points for the reliability of the equipment, 2 points for the maintenance & repair costs of the equipment, and 5 points for the condition of the equipment. The total point accumulation of 25 points qualifies the 2003 Drager SCBA s for Condition IV and evaluates the equipment as needs immediate consideration. As a result, I requested approval from the Fire Advisory Board (FAB) to solicit quotes for replacement of the 2003 SCBA s. Due to the product evaluation process extending past our estimated date of early 2018 and the completion of the SCBA life cycle approaching in September, the FAB approved the solicitation of quotes and the approval to purchase 26 SCBA s, 52 air bottles, 35 SCBA masks, and one rapid intervention team pack at a cost of the budgeted $215,000 or less.
As a result of the FAB s recommendation, fire department leadership is requesting solicitation of quotes for replacement of the 2003 SCBA s. Attachments: Photographs of our 2003 Drager SCBA s Resolution #2018-105, Authorization to Solicit Quotes RFQ for Draeger SCBA Equipment
SCBA with bottle attached
SCBA with bottle attached
SCBA mask
Worn bottle that has been repaired
Worn bottle in need of repair
Worn SCBA straps
Broken regulator clip needing repair
Regulator has been replaced due to a mechanical failure
Scratches in SCBA mask lens reduces visibility
SCBA mask strap adjustor and straps have been failing more frequently as the SCBA s age. Although the repairs are inexpensive, the failures occur when firefighters are tightening the masks to their faces during an emergency. The equipment failure causes a significant delay in the ability of the firefighter to complete their task on an emergency scene. Thank you, Ryan Schroeder Fire Chief
CITY OF WATERTOWN RESOLUTION NO. 2018-105 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SOLICITATION OF QUOTES FOR DRAEGER SCBA EQUIPMENT WHEREAS, the City of Watertown (the City ) has identified the replacement of self-contained breathing apparatus for fire fighters in the approved 2018 Fire Capital Fund; and WHEREAS, the City Council authorizes the solicitation of quotes for capital acquisitions or maintenance over $10,000; and WHEREAS, staff is recommending that quotes be solicited for new Draeger SCBA equipment to include air packs, air bottles, and masks; and and WHEREAS, the anticipated total acquisition of the equipment is expected to cost less than $175,000, WHEREAS, the City Council requests that the request for quotes process be utilized; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Watertown, Minnesota, hereby authorizes staff to solicit quotes from qualified vendors for City Council consideration. Adopted by the City Council of the City of Watertown this16th day of August, 2018. Steve Washburn, Mayor ATTEST: Lynn Tschudi, Clerk/Treasurer
2018 Self Contained Breathing Apparatus Project Request for Quotes City of Watertown The City of Watertown is seeking quotes for the 2018 Self Contained Breathing Apparatus Project. Contractor is to verify quantities prior to submittal. Please return quotes to Fire Chief Ryan Schroeder at watertownchief1@ci.watertown.mn.us or 401 Carter Street NE, PO Box 755, Watertown, MN 55388 no later than August 31 st, 2018. Quote Considerations: A. The quote is required to be submitted under a condition of irrevocability for a period of 90 days after submission. B. The supplier shall furnish as part of the quote all labor, materials, equipment, and freight. C. All equipment is required to be delivered within 12 weeks of the purchase date. D. The quote is to include the following equipment: (26) Drager PSS 7,000 SCBA s with Sentinel 7,000 and Buddy Breather System. (52) 4,500 psi 45-minute bottles with quick connect adaptors. Bottles must have clear color and custom logos. Bottles must be individually numbered. (35) FPS 7,000 masks with Head-up Display. (1) Rapid Intervention Team Pack with 4,500 psi one-hour bottle. (5) Fill station adaptors. E. The supplier shall have the ability to provide a maintenance program. F. The supplier shall provide warranty information. G. The quote shall be attached to this solicitation. Quoted prices shall include incidental project costs. H. The City of Watertown reserves the right to reject any and/or all quotes and is also soliciting offers for this project from other companies. (Name of Company/Contractor) Dated: By: (Authorized Agent)