Agenda Item Wording:
title
Authorization to Award Contract for Central Valley Regional Bomb Squad Vehicle Replacement - Authorization to award a contract to Lynch Diversified Vehicles in the amount $436,397 to replace the Central Valley Regional Bomb Squad Vehicle and appropriate $4,800 from Police Unclaimed Funds.
body
Agenda Date: 07/20/2026
Prepared by:
Police Chief Jason Salazar, 713-4215, jason.salazar@visalia.gov;
Captain Andrew Swarthout, 713-4035, andrew.swarthout@visalia.gov;
Lieutenant Clay Moffett, 713-4408, clay.moffett@visalia.gov;
Financial Analyst Liz Ybarra, 713-4250, liz.ybarra@visala.gov
Department Recommendation:
Authorization to award a contract and accept the bid for RFB 25-26-47 to Lynch Diversified Vehicles (LDV), Inc. from Burlington, Wisconsin in the amount $436,397 to replace the Central Valley Regional Bomb Squad Vehicle and appropriate an additional $4,800 from Police Unclaimed Funds (012 Fund). The title of the RFB was to Supply and Deliver one (1) Custom-Manufactured Bomb Response Vehicle.
Summary:
The Central Valley Regional Bomb Squad is supervised by the Visalia Police Department who is the owner of the current bomb response vehicle. The bomb response vehicle is at the end of its service life. The Visalia Police Department is part of the Central Valley Regional Bomb Squad that consists of bomb technicians from the Visalia Police Department, Tulare County Sheriff’s Office, and Kings County Sheriff’s Office. The bomb technicians are responsible for rendering all hazardous devices in Tulare and Kings County safe.
The construction of a new bomb response vehicle requires unique specifications to address the needs of the bomb squad. This vehicle is responsible for storing all tools and equipment needed to render hazardous devices safe. The bomb response vehicle utilizes a generator to power many of the specialized tools, an x-ray machine to inspect suspected dangerous devices, and a large working space to allow the members of the squad the ability to plan. Additionally, this vehicle needs to be dependable and respond to any of the unique and demanding environments in Tulare and Kings County.
Phase one of the project consists of a new Freightliner M2 106 Plus crew cab truck with a 22’ long custom aluminum dry van body. The body of the truck will be outfitted with all electric work and cabinetry completed. The vehicle will also have exterior storage, one touch leveling system, exterior lighting, and paint completed. The purchase of the vehicle and basic infrastructure listed above will not exceed the funding amount $431,671.
Phase two of the project will consist of upfitting the bomb response vehicle which includes the remaining interior components such as specialized storage for hazardous devices, commercial explosives magazine, a remote tool operations console, and a bi-fold aluminum ramp. Phase two will not exceed the FY 2025 allotment of $162,329. Once phase two funds have been awarded, staff will solicited bids and return to Council for award as required by the grant funds.
The Visalia Police Department has been granted and pending an award letter for a combined $162,329 by Tulare and Kings County Office of Emergency Services as a subrecipient for phase two FY 2025 State Homeland Security Grant Program. Once this allotment is available, staff will return to Council to apply and appropriate this funding. The total cost of this vehicle is estimated to be $594,000.
Background Discussion:
The Department applied and was awarded the Tulare County Office of Emergency Services for FY 2024 State Homeland Security Grant Program. Funding for phase 1 of the project in the amount of $431, 671 was approved on November 17, 2025, and a Notice for Request for Bids (RFB 25-26-47) was announced on April 30, 2026, and on May 5, 2026, to supply and deliver a bomb response vehicle. All bids were required to be submitted by June 3, 2026, and only 1 (one) bid was received. The title of the RFB was to Supply and Deliver one (1) Custom-Manufactured Bomb Response Vehicle.
Fiscal Impact including annual maintenance and operating costs:
The $431,671 budget for the first phase was approved by Council at a prior Council meeting (CIP 1010/VH0355) and additional appropriation is required in the amount of $4,725 from the Police Unclaimed Funds. Staff will return to Council for approval and funding for phase 2 of the project to complete the upfit of the unit. A subaward agreement with Tulare County was signed and agreement number 32750 was executed.
|
LDV, Inc. |
|
RFB Quote |
|
Bid Quote |
$402,209.00 |
|
CA Tire Tax |
$10.50 |
|
Tax |
$34,187.77 |
|
Total Cost Phase 1 |
$436,396.77 |
|
|
|
|
CAL OES Grant Phase 1 |
$431,671.00 |
|
|
|
|
Additional Funds Required |
$4,725.77 |
Prior Council Action:
On December 4, 2023, Visalia City Council approved the Visalia Police Department to apply for the FY 2024 State Homeland Security Grant Program in Tulare and Kings County to fund the purchase of a new bomb response vehicle.
On November 17,2025 Council accepted the FY 2024 State Homeland Security Grant Program and appropriated funding for phase 1 (one) in the amount of 431,671.
On May 11, 2026, The County of Tulare and The City of Visalia Police Department executed a Subaward Agreement Regarding FY 2024 State Homeland Security Grant Program.
Alternatives: Not to accept the bid from Lynch Diversified Vehicles (LDV), Inc.
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
Authorization to award a contract and accept the bid for RFB 25-26-47 from Lynch Diversified Vehicles in the amount $436,397 to replace the Central Valley Regional Bomb Squad Vehicle and appropriate $4,800 from 012 Police Unclaimed Funds.
Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: N/A
Deadline for Action: 07/20/2026
Attachments: Lynch Diversified Vehicles (LDV), Inc. Bid.
Strategic Goal: Indicates which City Strategic Goal(s) this item supports. Check all that apply.
|
☐ Economic Vitality |
☒  Organizational Excellence |
☐ Fiscal Strength |
☒  Infrastructure & Growth |
☒  Quality of Life |