Title
Recommendation to Authorize the Purchase of Six Dodge Durango Police Vehicle Upfit Packages in an Amount Not-to-Exceed $152,735.52 from Kerr Industries. (Public Works 60141581)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Jennifer Ott, City Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
On Sept 3, 2024, City Council authorized the purchase of six Dodge Durango police vehicles to replace six existing City of Alameda (City) fleet vehicles at the end of their useful life. The new vehicles were built and now need to be upfitted with various equipment to serve as Police Patrol vehicles.
Staff recommend purchasing six police vehicle upfit packages as a sole source purchase from Kerr Industries in an amount not-to-exceed $152,735.52. A quote is included as Exhibit 1. There is no State of California contract or a contract with a cooperative purchasing agency that offers the specific equipment compatible with the Dodge Durango. Kerr Industries works directly with Dodge, the vehicle manufacturer, on a police-specific ship thru program, receiving the vehicles directly from the assemble line which ensures the factory warranty remains valid.
BACKGROUND
The City’s Fleet Replacement Policy is consistent with the City’s Climate Action and Resiliency Plan and emphasizes greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions. The revised policy focuses on right sizing the City fleet, the purchase of electric vehicles when feasible, and lowering the fleet’s GHG emissions through acquisition of low emission vehicles.
Under the City’s Fleet Replacement Policy, police patrol vehicles are listed for replacement every four years or 85,000 miles. Once an emergency vehicle has reached a point of high mileage and years of service, its reliability for emergency response and service begins to diminish.
Since the COVID pandemic it has been very difficult to purchase and receive police vehicles. The City has had multiple orders cancelled due to supply issues and has been unable to secure an order for hybrid vehicles since the 18 that were bought in 2020. Given the critical need to replace no longer reliable patrol vehicles, on Sept 3, 2024, City Council authorized purchase of six gasoline 2024 Dodge Durango to replace existing vehicles at the end of their useful life. The six vehicles are now built and need to be upfitted to Alameda Police Department standards for patrol vehicles. Staff will continue to pursue hybrid or electric vehicles, when feasible.
DISCUSSION
The new Dodge Durango vehicles are critical to ensuring reliable call response and meeting other service delivery demands. Before the vehicles can be placed into service, they require upfitting with radios, special lighting, partitions and other equipment, per the Alameda Police Department’s specifications for patrol. Details on the upfitting equipment are included in Exhibit 2.
Kerr Industries works directly with Dodge, the vehicle manufacturer, on a police specific ship thru program, receiving the vehicles directly from the assembly line which avoids voiding the factory warranty. Exhibit 3 contains a letter explaining this program. There is no existing State of California contract or a contract with a cooperative purchasing agency that offers the specific equipment compatible with the Dodge Durango.
Staff recommends City Council authorize the sole source purchase of six Dodge Durango police vehicle upfit packages in an amount not-to-exceed $152,735.52 from Kerr Industries.
ALTERNATIVES
• Authorize the purchase of the proposed six police vehicle upfit packages on a sole source basis from Kerr Industries as part of their ship thru program.
• Direct staff to find another vendor after the vehicles are delivered. This will add a minimum of 3 months to have the vehicles in service and may void factory warranties.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Sufficient expenditure budget is available in the City’s Fleet Replacement Fund (Fund 601) to purchase this equipment.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This action is consistent with the Alameda Municipal Code. This action supports the City’s strategic goal of Enhancing Community Safety and Services. This action is subject to the Levine Act.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This action does not constitute a “project” as defined in California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378 and therefore no further CEQA analysis is required.
CLIMATE IMPACT
There is no climate impact to upfitting previously purchased vehicles. Staff will continue to transition the City fleet to minimize greenhouse gas emissions, when feasible.
RECOMMENDATION
Authorize the Purchase of Six Dodge Durango Police Vehicle Upfit Packages in an Amount Not-to-Exceed $152,735.52 from Kerr Industries
Respectfully submitted,
Erin Smith, Director of Public Works
By,
Carlo Balboni, Fleet Supervisor
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Margaret O’Brien, Finance Director
Exhibit:
1. Kerr Industries Quote
2. Details of police vehicle upfit package
3. Kerr Industries Ship Thru Program Letter