ORDINANCE approving and authorizing agreement between City of Houston and GT DISTRIBUTORS, INC for Body Armor and Accessories for the Houston Police Department; providing a maximum contract amount - 3 Years with two one-year options - $8,514,211.00 - General, Grant and Other Funds

Request for Proposals received September 3, 2020 for S83-T29564 – Approve an ordinance awarding a contract to GT Distributors, Inc. in the maximum amount of $8,514,211.00 to provide body armor and accessories for the Houston Police Department. 

Specific Explanation:

The Chief of the Houston Police Department and the Chief Procurement Officer (CPO) recommend that City Council approve an ordinance awarding a three (3) year contract, with two (2) one-year options to renew to GT Distributors, Inc in the maximum contract amount of $8,514,211.00 to provide body armor and accessories for Houston Police Department. The CPO may terminate this Agreement at any time by giving 30 days written notice to contractor. The Houston Police Department will come back to Council at later date for the appropriation of $870,900.00 out of  Equipment Acquisition Consolidated Fund.

The scope of work requires the contractor to provide all labor, materials, and equipment required for the custom fitting, supply, and delivery of tactical body armor, rifle plates, K-9 ballistic vest, ballistic helmets & shields, and accessories for the Houston Police Department and other City personnel requiring body armor.

The Request for Proposals (RFP) was advertised in accordance with the requirements of the State bid laws and as a result, proposals were received from Dana Safety Supply, Federal Eastern International (FEI), AEGIX, Tactical Medical Solutions, Primary Arms, Galls, LLC, GT Distributors, Inc., Lawman Supply (MES – Municipal Emergency Services, Inc.), and U.S. Armor. The Evaluation Committee consisted of members from Houston Police Department and the Houston Fire Department. The proposals were evaluated based on the following criteria:

1.    Responsiveness of the Proposal

2.    Technical Competence

a.    Evaluation of Product

b.    Conformance of Technical Specifications

c.     Price per unit, including any additional incentives offered in excess of that required

d.    Total Service and Support Commitment

e.    Experience and reputation, including years in business and reference checks

3.    M/WBE Participation

4.    Financial Stability

5.    Local Preference

The responses were reviewed by the evaluation committee and four vendors were selected to participate in the product evaluation period; each of these four vendors provided samples of their equipment to accompany their oral presentations. Two vendors were then selected to participate in a “wear test” period during which officers wore the vendors’ customized body armor for a set period of time and then completed a final evaluation of the products. In conclusion, GT Distributors, Inc. received one of the highest overall scores and was deemed to be the best qualified contractor to provide tactical body armor, rifle plates, K-9 ballistic vest, ballistic helmets & shields, and accessories as specified in the RFP.

M/WBE Subcontracting:

This RFP was advertised with a 2% goal for MWBE participation.  GT Distributors, Inc. have designated the below named company as its certified MWBE subcontractor:

Fern

Pay or Play Program:

The proposed contract requires compliance with the City's 'Pay or Play' ordinance regarding health benefits for employees of City contractors. In this case, the contractors will provide health benefits to eligible employees in compliance with City policy.

Hire Houston First:

The proposed contract requires compliance with the City’s “Hire Houston First” Ordinance that promotes economic opportunity for Houston businesses and supports job creation.  In this case, the firm is not a designated company and therefore the HHF preference was not applied to the contract award.

Fiscal Note:

• Funding for this item is included in the FY 2022 Adopted Budget.  Therefore, no Fiscal Note is required as stated in the Financial Policies.
  
  
• No significant Fiscal Operating impact is anticipated as a result of this project.
  
  
• No Fiscal Note is required on grant items.

__________________________________                   _________________________________

Jerry Adams, Chief Procurement Officer                  Department Approval Authority

Finance/Strategic Procurement Division

$5,263,612.00 General Fund (1000)

$870,900.00 Equipment Acquisition Consolidated Fund (1800)

$692,000.00 Asset Forfeiture Fund (2203)

$1,687,699.00 State Grant Fund (5010)

$8,514,211.00 Total Funding Amount