Professional Services for H31117 – Approve spending authority in the total amount of $102,726.00 for MD Helicopter Pilot Flight Recurrent Training Services from MD Helicopters, Inc. for the Public Safety and Homeland Security on behalf of the Houston Police Department.
Specific Explanation:
The Director of the Public Safety and Homeland Security and the Chief Procurement Officer recommend that the City Council approve spending authority for the purchase of professional services from MD Helicopters, Inc. in the total amount of $102,726.00 for Helicopter Pilot Flight Recurrent Training Services for HPD’s Air Support Division (ASD) and that authorization be given to issue a purchase order.
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations require licensed helicopter pilots to complete a biennial flight review to maintain their commercial pilot licenses. The recurrent flight training course offered by MD Helicopters, Inc. fulfills this FAA requirement, as well as provides additional training to pilots to maintain their proficiency in standard and emergency procedures in the six (6) MD 500E patrol aircraft owned and operated by HPD.
The ASD currently has eighteen (18) pilots that require recurrent flight training, including the required FAA biennial flight review. One of the primary benefits of the factory-authorized flight training is that the emergency procedures taught and practiced during these courses, including full-on auto rotations to the ground, are performed in factory-owned MD 500E aircrafts and are conducted at the MD Helicopters, Inc. factory located in Mesa, Arizona; therefore, any risk and liability lays with the factory. The vendor’s price reflects a 10% Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) discount, resulting in a savings of $11,415.60. The training courses are scheduled to be conducted during November and December of 2021.
This recommendation is made pursuant to subsection 252.022(a)(4) of the Texas Local Government Code, which provides that "a procurement for personal, professional, or planning services" is exempt from competitive bidding.
MWBE Participation:
Zero-percentage goal document approved by the Office of Business Opportunity.
Hire Houston First:
Hire Houston First does not apply to this expenditure, because it involves the use of federal funds and is subject to specific procurement rules of the federal government.
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
|
FY2022
|
Out Years
|
Total
|
|
Public Safety and Homeland Security
|
$102,726.00
|
$0.00
|
$102,726.00
|