Sole Source for S21-N26404 - Approve the sole source purchase of EPIC 3 communication systems from Scott Technologies, Inc. dba Scott Safety in an amount not to exceed $628,656.60 for the Houston Fire Department.
Specific Explanation:
The Chief of the Houston Fire Department and the Chief Procurement Officer recommend that City Council approve the sole source purchase of EPIC 3 communication systems from Scott Technologies, Inc. dba Scott Safety in an amount not to exceed $628,656.60 for the Houston Fire Department (HFD) and that authorization be given to issue a purchase order. The EPIC 3 communication systems provide Houston Firefighters and Hazmat technicians with clear radio voice communication between crew members, other fire department units, incident commanders, and fire dispatchers during emergency incidents. The systems will operate with HFD's new Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) and field radio equipment. They will also provide enhanced voice intelligibility and mechanical noise suppression directly into the face piece while operating in loud environments. The EPIC 3 communication systems will replace existing EZ communication devices which are no longer manufactured. The EPIC 3 communication systems are a build-designed prototype by the manufacturer specifically for HFD. The department intends to deploy the EPIC 3 communication systems, that are critical to the safety of first responders and the citizens, in early February.
Scott Technologies, Inc. dba Scott Safety is the sole designer and manufacturer for the EPIC 3 communication system and does not sell through distributors or dealers in the United States.
This recommendation is made pursuant to Chapter 252, Section 252.022 (a) (7) (A) "a procurement of items that are available from only one 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.
M/WBE Participation:
Zero-percentage goal document approved by the Office of Business Opportunity.
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 sole source supplier for this purchase.
Fiscal Note:
There is no estimated impact to the operating budget as a result of this CIP project.
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Jerry Adams, Chief Procurement Officer Department Approval Authority
Finance/Strategic Procurement Division