Title
An Ordinance approving the use of a cooperative contract between the City of Independence, Missouri and Baysinger’s Uniforms and Equipment to purchase ballistic vests and the associated accessories for the Lee’s Summit Police Department’s Emergency Services Squad in the amount of $107,936.14, and authorizing the city manager to execute all necessary documents on behalf of the city. (F&BC 11/4/24)
Body
Issue/Request:
An ordinance approving the use of a cooperative contract between the City of Independence, Missouri and Baysinger’s Uniforms and Equipment to purchase ballistic vests and the associated accessories for the Lee’s Summit Police Department’s Emergency Services Squad in the amount of $107,936.14, and authorizing the city manager to execute all necessary documents on behalf of the city.
Key Issues:
The current heavy ballistic vests for the police department’s Emergency Services Squad (tactical team) have exceeded the manufacturer’s recommended life span of five (5) years. The purchase of the current vests was authorized by council in 2018, and the vendor was selected through a bid process. The City of Lee's Summit currently has an active Cooperative Contract (2024-036) with the preferred vendor, Baysinger's Uniforms and Equipment, and they have the ability to provide the equipment.
The ballistic vests for the tactical team differ from those worn by patrol officers and detectives as they provide extra critical ballistic protection required for specialized duties. The vests have added ballistic collar, shoulder, and groin protection. The vests are also designed to carry front and back rifle plates (included in the purchase), adding further protection for the officers. The vests and their related accessories provide mission critical gear to ensure the operational readiness and availability of a specialized tactical team.
Proposed City Council Motion:
FIRST MOTION: I move to recommend to City Council approval of an Ordinance approving the use of a cooperative contract between the City of Independence, Missouri and Baysinger’s Uniforms and Equipment to purchase ballistic vests and the associated accessories for the Lee’s Summit Police Department’s Emergency Services Squad in the amount of $107,936.14, and authorizing the city manager to execute all necessary documents on behalf of the city.
SECOND MOTION: I move for adoption of an Ordinance approving the use of a cooperative contract between the City of Independence, Missouri and Baysinger’s Uniforms and Equipment to purchase ballistic vests and the associated accessories for the Lee’s Summit Police Department’s Emergency Services Squad in the amount of $107,936.14, and authorizing the city manager to execute all necessary documents on behalf of the city.
Background:
Recently, law enforcement officers have faced unprecedented and targeted assaults from motivated and heavily armed assailants. Events in which officers encounter hostile attacks involving the use of rifles is of particular concern, as the standard issue ballistic vests that the majority of police officers use do not offer ballistic protection to the level of a rifle.
Tactical teams tasked with engaging these types of threats need protective equipment that will reasonably assist them in successful resolutions. The selected products from the current vendor meet the level of protection required by minimum standards.
Impact/Analysis:
The purchase of new ballistic vests and their associated accessories will provide law enforcement officers with the protection needed for their specialized duties. The current contract with Baysinger’s Uniforms and Equipment is a Piggyback Contract with the City of Independence (attached). The effective date of this contract is November 22, 2022 through November 22, 2025. The quote associated to the desired vests can be referenced in the attachments.
The total cost of the ballistic vests is $107,936.14. Nineteen (19) of the ballistic vests are for police officers who are members of the Emergency Services Squad. Seven (7) of the vests are for firefighter/paramedics, who are employees of the Lee’s Summit Fire Department, who are assigned to roles as Tactical Medics on the ESS Team. The Tactical Medics deploy with team members to the same active scenes as the police officers to render emergency medical aid when required. The Tactical Medics need the same level of protection as the officers they work beside.
These costs were forecast several years ago and money has been set aside over the years for their purchase in the PSERP account of the Police Department. Those funds will be used to purchase the nineteen (19) vests for the police officers ($78,876.41). The Lee’s Summit Fire Department will purchase the seven (7) vests for the Tactical Medics ($29,059.73).
As with most items of equipment purchased post-COVID, there was a certain amount of inflation that was encountered that made the total cost eclipse the available funds projected through PSERP. Funds to cover the gap have been identified and the PSERP account amounts will be updated moving forward for the next replacement cycle.
Presenter
Chief Travis Forbes
Major Cary Colyne
Recommendation
Staff recommends approval of the Ordinance approving the use of a cooperative contract between the City of Independence, Missouri and Baysinger’s Uniforms and Equipment to purchase ballistic vests and the associated accessories for the Lee’s Summit Police Department’s Emergency Services Squad in the amount of $107,936.14, and authorizing the city manager to execute all necessary documents on behalf of the city.
Committee Recommendation
A motion was made by Councilmember DeMoro, seconded by Councilmember Carlyle, that TMP-3119 be recommended for approval to the City Council. The motion carried by a unanimous 4-0 vote.