Sole Source for S07-L25294 - Approve an Ordinance awarding a sole source contract to Lion Totalcare, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $4,992,810.00 for cleaning, decontamination and repair services for firefighter protective ensembles for the Houston Fire Department.
Specific Explanation:
The Chief of the Houston Fire Department and the Chief Procurement Officer recommend that City Council approve an ordinance awarding a three year contract with two one-year options, to Lion Totalcare, Inc. on its bid in an amount not to exceed $4,992,810.00 for cleaning, decontamination and repair services for fire personal protective ensembles for the Houston Fire Department. The current contract expires June 30, 2016.
The cleaning, decontamination and repair of the personal protective gear is strictly regulated by the NFPA and the Texas Fire Commission. The service requires a local presence, because the fire gear must be picked up from the individual fire stations, cleaned, repaired and returned on a tight timeline delineated by the NFPA requirements and within the work schedule rotations of the Houston firefighters.
Lion Totalcare, Inc. is the sole source provider for this service, because certain features of the Houston Fire Department's Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) contain elements that are covered by patents held by Lion Group, Inc., the parent group. Parts and materials required during the cleaning and repair services are captive replacement parts that are only available for purchase from Lion Apparel, Inc. All PPE garments are manufactured at Lion Apparel, Inc. in accordance with its company's proprietary manufacturing process. There are no other manufacturers or distributors for the proprietary manufacturing process for Lion Apparel, Inc.
The scope of work requires the contractor to provide all supervision, labor, materials, equipment and transportation necessary to provide cleaning, decontamination and repair services on firefighting protective ensembles. In addition, the contractor provides a daily updated portal to provide miscellaneous reports regarding the ensembles, as required by the Houston Fire Department. The purpose of this cleaning is to promote safety by removing dirt and unburned hydrocarbons acquired during the normal course of firefighting activities. The contractor also provides repairs and decontamination services on an “as needed” basis. Repairs are made to extend the life of the protective ensembles and to maintain the garments and peripheral accessories for safety, according to NFPA standards. The decontamination services are used to remove chemicals and contaminates; such as, diesel fuel, gasoline, hydraulic oil, pesticides, insecticides, asbestos and other hazardous materials.
The Houston Fire Department will monitor this contract to ensure compliance with Administrative Procedures and EMS guidelines.
This recommendation is made pursuant to Chapter 252, Section 252.022 (a) (7) “a procurement of items that are available from source, including: items that are available from only one source, because of patents, copyrights, secret processes, or natural monopolies” of the Texas Local Government Code for exempted procurements.
Hire Houston First:
This procurement is exempt from the City’s Hire Houston First Ordinance. Bids/proposals were not solicited, because the department is utilizing a professional services contractor for this purchase.
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Department
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Fund No.
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Fund Name
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FY16
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Out Years
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Fire
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1000
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General
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$5,000.00
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$4,987,810.00
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___________________________________ ____________________________________
John J. Gillespie, Chief Procurement Officer Department Approval Authority Signature
Finance/Strategic Procurement Division