S12-N26038 – Approve the sole source purchase of factory-based Pilot Flight Training and Aircraft Maintenance from MD Helicopters, Inc. in the amount of $78,818.40 for the Houston Police Department.
Specific Explanation:
The Acting Chief of the Houston Police Department and the Chief Procurement Officer recommend that City Council approve the sole source purchase of factory-based Pilot Flight Training and Aircraft Maintenance Training from MD Helicopters, Inc. in the amount of $78,818.40, and that authorization be given to issue a purchase order.
The Houston Police Department currently operates and maintains eight (8) MD 500E helicopters. MD Helicopters, Inc. is the sole source provider of MD Helicopter factory-authorized training courses. These courses consist of classroom and practical, hands-on training conducted at the MD Helicopters factory located in Mesa, Arizona. All factory pilot flight training on emergency procedures, including full-on auto-rotations to the ground, are taught and practiced on factory-owned MD500Es. Additionally, all aircraft maintenance training procedures are practiced on factory-owned mock ups. Twelve HPD pilots require this recurrent flight training.
The recurrent flight training course is used to fulfill the Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) requiring licensed pilots to complete a biennial flight review and to maintain proficiency in standard and emergency procedure in the (8) MD 500E patrol aircraft owned and operated by the Department.
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 procurements.
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.
Fiscal Note:
Funding for this item is included in the FY17 Adopted Budget. Therefore, no Fiscal Note is required as stated in the Financial Policy Ordinance No.: 2014-1078.
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John J. Gillespie, Chief Procurement Officer Department Approval Authority Signature
Finance/Strategic Procurement Division