Item Coversheet

CITY OF HOUSTON - CITY COUNCIL

Meeting Date: 7/14/2020
ALL
Item Creation Date: 6/9/2020

E29532 - Handheld Raman Spectrometers - MOTION

Agenda Item#: 12.


 
                               
Summary:

PENDAR TECHNOLOGIES, LLC for sole source purchase of Handheld Raman Spectrometers for Public Safety and Homeland Security on behalf of the Houston Police Department - $143,000.00 - Grant Fund

Background:

Sole Source for S85-E29532 - Approve a sole source purchase for handheld Raman spectrometers from Pendar Technologies, LLC in the total amount of $143,000.00 for Public Safety and Homeland Security on behalf of the Houston Police Department.

 

Specific Explanation:

The Director of Public Safety and Homeland Security and the Chief Procurement Officer recommend that City Council approve a sole source purchase for handheld Raman spectrometers from Pendar Technologies, LLC in the total amount of $143,000.00 for the Houston Police Department.

 

This purchase is for two (2) Pendar® X10 (U.S. Patent No. 10,488,252) handheld Raman spectrometers which include training, hazardous chemical library updates, and a three-year labor and parts warranty.  The instruments will be used by HPD’s Bomb Squad technicians.  

 

The Pendar® X10 enables HPD’s Bomb Squad to quickly identify hazardous chemicals including highly fluorescent, dark, and sensitive materials. By increasing measurement distance and reducing the risks of laser-induced explosion and eye damage, the Pendar® X10 offers increased safety, accuracy, and speed in the field. The Pendar® X10 is the only handheld Raman spectrometer that uses two (2) 3R lasers that allow for a standoff distance of up to 3 feet to identify unknown hazards. This means that the Bomb Technician does not have to physically touch, gather, or take samples of suspected materials before testing them, improving the safety of the technician.

 

HPD performed a market research for similar products, but there is no other handheld, portable Raman spectrometers that utilize 3R lasers, do not require the use of several attachments, and that are safe for outdoor environments.

 

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 because of patents, copyrights, secret processes, or natural monopolies" of the Texas Local Government Code for exempt procurement.

 

MWBE Participation:

Zero-percent 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 contractor for this purchase.

 

Fiscal Note:

No Fiscal Note is required on grant items. 

 

 

 

_________________________________­_                ___________________________­­­­­____

Jerry Adams, Chief Procurement Officer               Department Approval Authority

Finance/Strategic Procurement Division              

Estimated Spending Authority

DEPARTMENT

FY2021

OUT YEARS

TOTAL

Public Safety and Homeland Security

$143,000.00

$0.00

$143,000.00


Amount and Source of Funding:

$143,000.00

Federal / State / Local Pass Through Fund

Fund: 5030

Contact Information:

NAME:

DEPARTMENT/DIVISION

PHONE

Laura Guthrie, Purchasing Manager

FIN/SPD

(832) 393-8735

Alejandro Velasquez-Auza, Procurement Specialist

Kim House, Division Manager

FIN/SPD

 

PSHS

(832) 393-8701

 

(832) 393-0930


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