Title
Recommendation to Authorize the City Manager to Purchase One Police Crisis Negotiation Command Van from National Auto Fleet Group for a Total Amount Not-to-Exceed $242,919.60. (Public Works 60141581)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Jennifer Ott, City Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City of Alameda Police Department’s (Police Department) existing crisis negotiation command van is more than 30 years old and no longer meets operational needs. The vehicle, a repurposed 1993 ambulance, has significant mechanical and electrical issues and an outdated configuration that does not adequately support the Police Department’s crisis response operations.
To ensure effective response capabilities, staff recommends purchasing a replacement crisis negotiation command van from National Auto Fleet Group in an amount not-to-exceed $242,919.60. The purchase is based on Sourcewell Contract #091521-NAF, a cooperative purchasing agreement established through a competitive procurement process in compliance with state law.
BACKGROUND
The Police Department and Fleet Services are responsible for replacing police vehicles and equipment according to the City of Alameda's (City) Vehicle and Equipment Replacement Policy. This policy establishes criteria based on age, mileage (or hours), and usage, while also considering safety history and operating performance. Units scheduled for replacement are evaluated to determine whether they should be replaced, deferred or retired out of the fleet.
City Administrative Instruction No. 5 (Purchasing Policy) allows vehicles to be procured either through competitive bidding or cooperative purchasing agreements. Purchases exceeding $75,000 require City Council approval.
A crisis negotiation command van provides a secure, mobile base of operations with advanced communications and surveillance technology, enabling negotiators to maintain real-time contact with subjects, coordinate with tactical units, and access critical information. This capability improves situational awareness, supports rapid decision-making, and increases the likelihood of safe, peaceful resolutions.
The Police Department’s existing unit, a 1993 repurposed ambulance with more than ninety thousand miles, has ongoing electrical and mechanical problems and lacks the capacity and configuration to meet operational requirements.
DISCUSSION
Staff recommends replacing the existing Police Department’s crisis negotiation command van with a new unit from National Auto Fleet Group at a cost not to exceed $242,919.60. A detailed price quote is included as Exhibit 1. The purchase is based on Sourcewell Contract #091521-NAF, a competitively bid cooperative purchasing agreement.
ALTERNATIVES
• Authorize the purchase of a replacement crisis negotiation command van in an amount not-to-exceed $242,919.60 from National Auto Fleet Group per pricing in Sourcewell Contract #091521-NAF.
• Direct staff to conduct a competitive bid process for the new crisis negotiation command van. This would delay procurement, risk increased downtime and repair costs for the existing unit while not guaranteeing better pricing for the replacement unit.
• Do not authorize purchase of the replacement crisis negotiation command van and have the Police Department continue to use the existing van, which does not meet current standards and has the risk of increased downtime and costly repairs.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Funding for this purchase was included in the FY 2025-26 budget and is available in the Fleet Replacement Fund (Fund 601). No additional appropriations are required, and there is no impact to the General Fund.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This action is consistent with the Alameda Municipal Code and supports the City Strategic Plan Priority to Enhance 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
The replacement van will have a gasoline engine. Currently, electric vans do not provide the required power capacity or range to support crisis negotiation equipment during extended operations. However, the new vehicle will be more fuel-efficient and produce fewer emissions than the unit being replaced.
RECOMMENDATION
Authorize the City Manager to purchase one Police crisis negotiation command van from National Auto Fleet Group for a total amount not-to-exceed $242,919.60.
Respectfully submitted,
Erin Smith, Public Works Director
By,
Carlo Balboni, Fleet Supervisor
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Ross McCarthy, Finance Director
Exhibit
1. Quote