Title
Consider a memorandum authorizing the purchase of Personal Protective Equipment from North American Fire Equipment Company (NAFECO) in the amount of $302,486.30
Body
DATE: October 20, 2026
TO: Laurie Wilson, Interim City Manager
FROM: Jim Kubinski, Fire Chief
SUBJECT: Purchase of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
BACKGROUND AND FINDINGS:
The Fire Department continues to follow our plan to replace 20% of our Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) every year to provide our firefighters with the safest equipment available and to stay in compliance with NFPA 1851 (National Fire Protection Association). Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is the protective ensemble worn by firefighters which typically consists of the following garments: coat, trousers, boots, helmet, hood, and gloves. These items help protect firefighters in environments immediately dangerous to life or health. Industry standard establishes a usable lifespan for PPE of 5 years for front line use and 5 additional years as reserve or training gear. The fire department must replace PPE that has expired or has been damaged and cannot be repaired. The fire department purchases approximately 20% of our current PPE inventory for our personnel annually. The current quote will allow for replacement of 53 full sets of Structural PPE, as well as a few individual items to replace currently damaged equipment and bolster our reserve for single items that are damaged in the future. North American Fire Equipment Company (NAFECO) is an authorized distributor for Lion’s First Responders PPE Inc. who manufactures our Structural PPE. These items of PPE will be purchased through the Lion’s First Responders PPE Inc. Sourcewell contract #010424-LIO.
THE ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED:
N/A
Which alternative is recommended? Why?
N/A
CONFORMITY TO CITY POLICY:
This purchase of Structural PPE will be made through North American Fire Equipment Company (NAFECO) and Sourcewell purchasing cooperative on contract #010424-LIO. Purchases made through a cooperative contract are exempt from the competitive bidding process as stated in the 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 revenue/expenditure in the current fiscal year? For future years?
The FY 2027 expenditure for PPE is not to exceed $302,486.30
Future purchases will be assessed annually based upon specific needs at the time.
Is this a one-time or recurring revenue/expenditure?
This is a one-time purchase for this budget year.
Future expenditures will be dictated by the items that are damaged beyond repair or nearing expiration.
Is this revenue/expenditure budgeted?
Yes
Funding for PPE is available in the General Fund Fire Department
Account# 100-52150-250-252-000000
If not, where will the money come from?
N/A
Is there a sufficient amount in the budgeted line-item for this revenue/expenditure?
Yes
RECOMMENDATION:
Authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to purchase Personal Protective Equipment from North American Fire Equipment Company (NAFECO) in the amount of $302,486.30, through Lion’s First Responders PPE Inc. Sourcewell contract #010424-LIO, and authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to execute any and all change orders within the amounts set by State and Local Law.
DEPARTMENTAL CLEARANCES:
Purchasing
Finance
Legal
Fire
ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
Quote
Sourcewell Contract
Contract Verification
Certificate of Interested Parties
Presentation