Subject: S12-E25548 - Approve payment of the Emergency Purchase Order issued to ESSC, Inc. DBA Medixsafe Inc. in the total amount of $60,000.02 for Biometric Security Cabinets for the Houston Fire Department.
SPECIFIC EXPLANATION:
The Chief of the Houston Fire Department (HFD) and the City Purchasing Agent recommend that City Council approve payment of the emergency purchase order issued to ESSC, Inc. DBA Medixsafe Inc. in the total amount of $60,000.02 for biometric security cabinets and that authorization be given to issue an automated (SAP) purchase order. The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) of the U.S. Department of Justice requires physical security controls (e.g. narcotic security cabinets) for controlled substances listed in Schedule I-IV categories via Title 21 Code of Federal Regulations.
Because full accountability of narcotic movement must be managed with a high level of security, HFD’s Emergency Management System (EMS) decided to convert its antiquated lock and key narcotic security structure to a securer biometric security system. Currently, controlled substances housed on the emergency vehicles are stored lock and key; however, the keys are repeatedly lost and misplaced. These negligent mishaps have become more frequent and may pose a risk to the public’s health and safety if the keys to the narcotic boxes are found by unauthorized individuals. Failure to securely store and secure drugs as promulgated by the DEA may subject the City to costly penalties as fines which are based on each individual unit of lost medication. The Strategic Procurement Division issued and emergency purchase order to ESSC, Inc. DBA Medixsafe on June 12, 2015 to address this emergency
This recommendation is made pursuant to Chapter 252, Section 252.022 (a) (2) of the Texas Local Government Code for exempted procurements.
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Calvin D. Wells, City Purchasing Agent Department Approval Authority Signature
Finance/Strategic Procurement Division