TITLE
Consider a memorandum/resolution authorizing the purchase of police equipment and ammunition from GT Distributors, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $190,000.
SUMMARY
DATE: December 1, 2020
TO: Kent Cagle, City Manager
FROM: Charles F. Kimble, Chief of Police
SUBJECT: Purchase of police equipment and ammunition from GT Distributors, Inc.
BACKGROUND AND FINDINGS:
The Killeen Police Department purchases police duty gear, body armor and ammunition from GT Distributors, Inc. All ammunition is purchased under TXMAS contract 680-A1. Duty gear and body armor are purchased under TASB BuyBoard contract #603-20. The City of Killeen is a member of both purchasing cooperatives.
Police firearms training is a perennial activity, as is equipping officers with new and replacement gear and soft body armor. Duty gear includes belts, pouches and various uniform accessories. The department budgets funds for these expenses annually.
Current fiscal year expenditures are $24,965.20 for ammunition. Total projected expenses include approximately $90,000 for ammunition, and approximately $100,000 for soft body armor and duty gear. The total projected purchases from GT Distributors, Inc. for the current fiscal year will be approximately $190,000.
In addition to being members of competitive purchasing cooperatives, GT Distributors, Inc. is the only authorized law enforcement vendor in Texas for Vista Outdoor, Inc., the parent company for Federal Premium and Speer Ammunition.
THE ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED:
Delay purchases until FY 21-22.
Authorize the purchase of necessary ammunition and equipment as proposed.
Which alternative is recommended? Why?
Staff recommends authorizing the purchases of duty gear, body armor and ammunition. Failure to do so will adversely affect the department’s ability to train and properly equip officers.
CONFORMITY TO CITY POLICY:
Yes, purchases made through a cooperative contract are exempt from the competitive bidding process as stated in Texas Local Government Code section 271.102, subchapter F; a local government that purchases goods or services under this subchapter satisfies any state law requiring the local government to seek competitive bids for the purchase of the goods or services.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
What is the amount of the expenditure in the current fiscal year? For future years?
Projected expenses for the current year are $90,000 for ammunition, and approximately $100,000 for soft body armor and duty gear. The total projected purchases from GT Distributors, Inc. for the current fiscal year will be an amount not to exceed $190,000.
What is the amount of the expenditure in the current fiscal year? For future years?
The estimated expenditure is amount not to exceed $190,000. Training and equipping officers is a perpetual activity for which the department budgets annually.
Is this a one-time or recurring expenditure?
Recurring
Is this expenditure budgeted?
Yes, funds are budgeted in 010-6050-441.41-20 Uniform and Clothing and 010-6050-441.41-63 Ammunition.
If not, where will the money come from?
N/A
Is there a sufficient amount in the budgeted line-item for this expenditure?
Yes
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Manager or his designee be authorized to execute the described purchase of police duty gear, body armor and ammunition from GT Distributors, Inc. through purchasing cooperatives TXMAS and TASB BuyBoard, in an amount not to exceed $190,000 in the current fiscal year.
DEPARTMENTAL CLEARANCES:
Purchasing
Finance
Legal
ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
Certificate of Interested Parties
Vista Outdoor Exclusive Distributor Letter