Title
Consider a memorandum/resolution authorizing the purchase of police equipment, body armor and accessories and ammunition from GT Distributors, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $387,000 in FY 2024.
Summary
DATE: October 17, 2023
TO: Kent Cagle, City Manager
FROM: Pedro Lopez Jr., Chief of Police
SUBJECT: Purchase of police equipment and ammunition
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 #698-23. 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.
Previous fiscal year expenditures were approximately $131,164 for ammunition, and approximately $453,401 for body armor and other duty gear. This included a grant for $260,000 for the replacement of rifle-resistant body armor. Projected expenses for the entire department for fiscal year 2023-2024 include approximately $132,000 for ammunition, and approximately $255,000 for soft body armor and duty gear. The total projected purchases from GT Distributors, Inc. for the current fiscal year will be approximately $387,000.
These projected costs for fiscal year 2023-2024 include completion of a multi-year project to outfit all uniformed officers with an enhanced weapon sight, improving accuracy and reducing the collateral risks of shooting incidents.
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 fiscal year 2023-2024
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:
Purchases made through a cooperative contract are exempt from the competitive bidding process as states in Texas Local Government Code (TLGC) section 271.102, subchapter F; 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 $132,000 for ammunition, and approximately $255,000 for soft body armor and duty gear. The total projected purchases from GT Distributors, Inc. for the current fiscal year will be approximately $387,000.
Is this a one-time or recurring expenditure?
Recurring
Is this expenditure budgeted?
Yes, funds are available in the General Fund Police Department accounts 010-6050-441.41-20 Uniform and Clothing (Support Services Division), 010-6050-441.41-65 Supplies (Support Services Division), 010-6035-441.41-20 Uniform and Clothing (Patrol Division) and 010-6035-441.41-65 Supplies (Patrol Division).
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 $387,000 in FY 2024.
DEPARTMENTAL CLEARANCES:
Purchasing
Finance
Legal
ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
Contract
Certificate of Interested Parties
Contract Verification