HomeMy WebLinkAboutPurchase - Ambulance Medic Unit Number 271 - Town Center Way Station 33CITY OF PALM DESERT
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
STAFF REPORT
REQUEST: APPROVAL OF A REQUEST TO PURCHASE A NEW
AMBULANCE FROM FRAZER, LTD (HOUSTON, TX) IN AN
AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $150,000, TO REPLACE CITY OF
PALM DESERT MEDIC UNIT NO. 271.
SUBMITTED BY: Stephen Y. Aryan, Risk Manager
DATE: April 26, 2012
CONTENTS: Fire Department Sole Source Vendor Correspondence
Recommendation
By minute motion:
1. Approve the purchase of a new ambulance, from Frazer, Ltd. (Houston, TX), to
replace City of Palm Desert Medic Unit No. 271, in an amount not to exceed
$150,000.
2. Appropriate $150,000 from Equipment Replacement Fund 530 for the purchase
of a new Frazer, Ltd. ambulance.
Commission Recommendation
On April 11, 2012, the Palm Desert Public Safety Commission recommended that the City
Council approve the purchase of purchase of a new ambulance, when they approved the
recommended FY 2012/13 Palm Desert Fire Department Budget.
Background
In 2009 the City staffed a fourth front line ambulance utilizing an older reserve vehicle.
This unit was placed at Indian Wells Fire Station No. 55 to serve the eastern portion of
Palm Desert. A new vehicle was not purchased at that time, as the City was in the
middle of testing a prototype CNG ambulance, and awaiting the outcome of that
evaluation.
By placing a reserve unit in service, the City would have been left with only one unit as
a back-up to four front line units. Based on both local and industry experience, it was
recognized that this was insufficient. The Fire Department recommends no less than
one reserve unit for every two front line ambulances.
Staff Report: Medic Unit No. 271 Replacement
April 26, 2012
Page 2 of 3
The City of Indian Wells had an older ambulance in their possession they were
preparing to sell as surplus. The unit was a 1997 ambulance manufactured by "E-One".
The City negotiated with Indian Wells and purchased this unit as a stop gap to utilize as
a reserve until the CNG ambulance study was complete and the viability of these
alternate fueled vehicles was explored. This study was completed last year and
indicated that the CNG units were not a viable current option due to mileage results.
The Fire Department requests moving forward with the ambulance purchase previously
slated for 2009. Please note that the City of Palm Desert currently operates four front-
line and two reserve ambulances units.
While the front-line Palm Desert unit at Station No. 55 and the other reserve units both
have higher miles, it is recommended that this unit be replaced first for several reasons:
• Unit is a 1997 Ford F250 chassis with an E-One patient compartment build up.
Current age of the unit is 15 years old — which is older than the other two.
• Replacement parts are becoming obsolete. Time spent in shop was excessive at
36 days. This was less than a 1 to 3 ratio when compared to in service days.
One of the reasons for this was due to some parts being obsolete and hard to
acquire.
• This unit was utilized as a front line ambulance for a total of 98 days last year.
This unit was also staffed for special events.
• Unit is showing signs of wear and tear.
• E-One does not meet the current ambulance standard for the City of Palm Desert
or the Riverside County Fire Department. This older type of ambulance box is not
self-contained and requires power from the chassis electrical system which is
unreliable and maintenance/repair intensive. This likewise causes lengthy down
time for repairs.
• Sending in one of the other units for refurbishment now would leave the City with
only a single back up.
Over the years, the City purchased several Frazer, Ltd. ambulances. These self-
contained units (having their own power supply) provide the ability to remount the
existing ambulance box on a new chassis. The ambulance box is refurbished as needed
(new floor, cabinets, latches, etc.) then remounted.
Staff Report: Medic Unit No. 271 Replacement
April 26, 2012
Page 3 of 3
In the future this amounts to a savings of $50,000 over the cost of replacing with an
entire new ambulance reducing these units' replacement costs. The Fire Department
indicated that Frazer, Ltd. Is a sole source vendor.
Staff respectfully recommends that the City Council approve the purchase of a new
ambulance from Frazer, Ltd., in an amount not to exceed $150,000.
Fiscal Analysis
The cost to replace Medic Unit No. 271 with a new 2012 Type I Ambulance from Frazer
Ambulance is estimate not to exceed $150,000. Funds are available in the Equipment
Replacement Fund 530 for FY 2011-2012.
Submitted By:
Stephon Y. Atyan, Risk
Reviewed By:
Paul S. Gibson
Director of Finance/City Treasurer
Approval:
Jo)( M. Wohlmuth, City Manager
CITY COUNCIL�ION
APPROVED DFNiED
RECEIVED OTHER
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VERIFIED BY:
Original on File with City rk's Office
PROUDLY SERVING THE
UNINCORPORATED AREAS
OF RIVERSIDE COUNTY
AND THE CITIES OF:
BANNING
BEAUMONT
CALIMESA
CANYON LAKE
COACHELLA
DESERT HOT SPRINGS
EASTVALE
INDIAN WELLS
INDIO
JURUPA VALLEY
LAKE ELSINORE
LA QUINTA
MENIFEE
MORENO VALLEY
NORCO
PALM DESERT
PERRIS
RANCHO MIRAGE
RUBIDOUX CSD
SAN JACINTO
TEMECULA
WILDOMAR
BOARD OF
SUPERVISORS:
BOB BUSTER
DISTRICT 1
JOHN TAVAGLIONE
DISTRICT 2
JEFF STONE
DISTRICT 3
JOHN BENOIT
DISTRICT 4
MARION ASHLEY
DISTRICT 5
RIVERSIDE COUNT" FIRE DEPARTMENT
IN COOPERATION WITH
THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY AND FIRE PROTECTION
John R. Hawkins — Fire Chief
210 West San Jacinto Avenue - Perris, CA 92570
(951) 940-6900 www.rvcfire.org
Date: April 16, 2012
To: Stephen Aryan
City of Palm Desert
From: Captain Scott Visyak
Riverside County Fire
Re: Sole Source Purchase Justification — Ambulance
The Fire Department is recommending the sole source purchase of a specified
ambulance from Frazer Ltd, Houston Texas. The following justifications are
provided in support of this purchase.
• Only known manufacturer of this product:
Based on extensive research, Frazer is the only manufacturer of an ambulance that
has a generator powered patient care module. In this design, all electrical for lighting,
air-conditioning, on -board medical equipment, as well as all sirens and warning lights
are powered by a separate on -board generator. In other traditional ambulances, power
is derived from the engine -driven alternator. This is often inadequate, and has proven
to be unreliable, and prone to breakdown — especially in our desert climate.
Additionally, these units have a separate heavy duty RV -style air conditioning
module which has proven effective in our desert heat. The ability to connect these
units to a shore line while in quarters allows us to respond with a pre -cooled unit
which is important for the medications and fluids we carry.
• Compatibility to existing ambulance fleet:
The cities of Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, Indian Wells and Indio have been
purchasing Frazer ambulances since 1999. Currently there are 16 ambulances in the
fleet, of which 14 are Frazer ambulances. Standardization provides operational
benefits in the form of common layout, uniform storage of supplies and ease of use by
Paramedics under stressful situations. Maintenance issues are improved via a
standardization of parts, allowing a ready inventory of spares. Familiarity of systems
and equipment also produces a reduction in repair time by mechanics.
• Cost savings:
The purchase of the Frazer Type I ambulance aids in future savings to the partner
cities, as these ambulances are designed for the patient compartment to be refurbished
and remounted on a new chassis as replacement cycles are reached. Once the unit has become
worn out, the department will only need to remount the patient compartment instead of replacing
the entire ambulance, therefore reducing the ambulance replacement by approximately 33%, while
producing a product that is essentially new. This is done by the replacement of the cab/chassis
with a brand new one, and the removal and complete refurbishment of the patient care
compartment.
• Consequences of not securing this specific item:
A. The loss of generator powered, commercial air conditioning units as part of the integrated
ambulance specification.
B. The inability to remount the ambulance box on a new chassis in the future.
C. Possible increase in repair costs.
D. Possible increase in out of service time for repairs.
E. The lack of a standard for ambulances within the department.
In summary, the desert climate we operate in is unique compared with many areas of the United
States. The harsh summer weather puts an incredible burden on air conditioning and electrical
systems of ambulances. The proper functioning of the ambulance in general, and these systems
specifically are critical to our emergency response, care and treatment of our residents. Through
our extensive history and use, the Frazer Units have been determined to meet our needs and
provide reliable service. We recommend the continued sole source purchase of these vehicles.
Respectfully Submitted,
John R. Hawkins
County Fire Chief
Scott Visyak
Fire Captain
,on j%
Frazer, Ltd.
P.O. Box 5000
Bellaire, TX 77402-5000
PHONE 713.772.5511
BY FRAZER. LTD.
FAX 713.995.0541
888.372.9371
LEADERS IN CUSTOM FABRICATING
To Whom It May Concern,
Notice is hereby presented that Frazer, Ltd. is the only provider of Frazer Generator Powered
EMS Modules.
In addition, Frazer, Ltd. is the only company able to extend the Lifetime Structural and
Electrical Warranty on remounted Frazer modules.
Thank you for your interest in our product.
Sincerely,