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AUTHORIZATION TO PURCHASE A 21 PERSON WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE BUS FROM COLONIAL EQUIPMENT COMPANY IN THE AMOUNT OF $111,830 FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT UTILIZING THE GENERAL SERVICES CONTRACT (GSA), GS-30F-X0052.
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BACKGROUND: The FYE 15 budget includes funds to purchase a 21 person wheelchair accessible bus for the Norman Fire Department. This vehicle will be replacing a 16 passenger van used to transport firefighters for crew changes at long term incidents and for training exercises. The new transport vehicle will provide the added capability of providing for evacuation of citizens including those that may be handicapped as recommended by the Public Safety Sales Tax Oversight Committee.
DISCUSSION: The City will be purchasing from the GSA contract to satisfy the Norman Code requirements found in Section 8-204. Purchasing from state contracts provides the City with the benefit of a competitive bid process without the time and expense of acquiring separate bids. In this case, the GSA has a wider selection of competitively bid items available. The low bidder under the GSA Contract was Continental Bus Company providing an opportunity to purchase the bus which was budgeted for FYE 15. Cost of this equipment is $111,830.
Funds for this purchase are available in the FYE 15 Budget in Public Safety Sales Tax, Fire Suppression, Trucks and Vans (015-6543-422.50-03).
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that City Council authorize the purchase of the 21 person wheelchair accessible bus from Colonial Equipment Company utilizing the GSA Contract GS-30F-X0052 in the amount of $111,830.