Agenda Item Wording:
title
Award Contract to replace Visalia Police Department Handguns – Authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with ProForce, not to exceed $241,187.22, to replace Visalia Police Department handguns and associated equipment, and appropriate $271,000 from the General Fund.
body
Prepared by:
Police Chief Jason Salazar, 559-713-4215, jason.salazar@visalia.city;
Police Captain Dan Ford, 559-713-4151, daniel.ford@visalia.city;
Financial Analyst Liz Ybarra, 559-713-4250, liz.ybarra@visalia.city
Department Recommendation:
Authorize the City Manager to bypass the bid process and enter into a contract with ProForce, not to exceed $241,187.22, to replace the current duty handgun and related equipment; and appropriate $271,000 from the General Fund.
Summary:
The Visalia Police Department currently issues the Sig Sauer P320 pistol as its primary duty weapon. As a result of recent and ongoing safety issues identified with the Sig P320, the Police Department is recommending the replacement of the current department-issued handgun with the Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0. In addition, staff are requesting to replace associated holsters, and purchase ammunition and associated armorer kits and tools needed to train with and conduct maintenance on the new firearms.
The current department issued handgun is the Sig Sauer P320 (P320) which was purchased and deployed in 2021. The P320 has since fallen under heavy scrutiny as a result of multiple uncommanded discharges that have occurred while the firearm was holstered. As a result of these safety issues, law enforcement organizations across the nation are banning and/or removing the P320 from use.
In response to these concerns, the Visalia Police Department has researched new handguns to replace the current department issued firearms. The examination included cost, physical inspection, test firing, and research into the performance history of the firearm. As a result of this research, staff are recommending the purchase of the Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0. The weapon uses the same caliber of ammunition (9mm) and will provide similar capabilities to the P320, including red dot optics and adjustable grips for staff. Additionally, the M&P 2.0 is equipped with a trigger safety and has a strong safety record including no known or documented safety issues similar to what is being observed by the P320.
In addition to the firearm itself, staff needs to purchase new holsters department-wide for both uniform and non-uniformed assignments. This will require the purchase of duty-belt holsters for patrol and operation-based deployments, as well as paddle and leg holsters for investigative staff and specialized assignments. Additionally, staff will need to purchase new armorer kits and tools for maintenance, and an estimated 100,000 rounds for training and assimilation: essential for the safe deployment of the firearm.
Because of the volume of law enforcement agencies replacing P320s, in addition to the increasing lead time to get the new firearms, staff is requesting an emergency authorization to bypass the bid process for this project. The purpose of this request is ensuring safety of staff and the community, and to reduce civil exposure to the City in the event an unintended discharge occurs.
Disbursement of all items related to this transition will be handled per the City’s Surplus Policy unless other appropriate channels are realized, and all transfers or disposal methods will be approved, in writing, by the Police Chief and the City Manager prior to disbursement.
Background Discussion:
In April of 2021, the City awarded a contract for the purchase of the Department’s Sig Sauer P320 (P320). At the time of this purchase, the P320 was widely accepted as one of the more popular firearms among law enforcement organizations. The P320 was packaged to include a red-dot optic sight system and included modular grips ensuring a better fit for a variety of different hand sizes
At the time of the City’s purchase of the P320, the City joined other Tulare County agencies, including the Tulare Police Department, Dinuba Police Department and Tulare County Sheriff’s Office. The total purchase in 2021 included 185 P320 handguns, 30 spare magazines, 40 grip modules, 258 standard duty and specialty holsters, and 30 weapons light. The total cost of this purchase was $222,501.80. During the deployment of the P320, the training averaged 800 rounds per officers culminating in approximately 100,000 rounds of ammunition expended. Since the deployment of this firearm, safety concerns have arisen that have resulted in a nationwide shift away from the use of this firearm, including several law enforcement organizations and training providers banning the use of the Sig P320.
As a result of this, department staff began reviewing potential replacement options based on reputation, costs, safety record, and operational consistency. The two best options based on these criteria were Glock 47 and Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0. Both firearms fire a 9mm round, are equipped with red-dot optics, and have a trigger safety mechanism. The per-unit cost estimates at the time of this review were $740 for Glock and $900 for Smith & Wesson. Department staff requested and received both firearms for trial and evaluation.
On July 30, 2025, and August 1, 2025, range and department staff conducted a thorough review which include a physical examination of the firearm and live-fire testing. Based on their review, the majority of staff were in favor of the Smith & Wesson MP 2.0 due to the firearm’s overall performance and ergonomic modular grip that can accommodate shooters of different hand sizes. In addition to these factors, range staff noted a significant safety feature for the Smith and Wesson that was not present for the Glock. When disassembling the Glock, in order to remove the slide, the operator must pull the trigger. This is not necessary with Smith & Wesson, which range staff feel will significantly reduce the risk of unintended discharges. Range staff concluded by noting that the Smith & Wesson MP 2.0 has not received any performance or safety issues consistent with those reported with the P320, in its eight-year operational history.
Staff were also able to determine that the current magazine pouches would work for Smith & Wesson, providing cost savings estimated at $8,000. Smith and Wesson will also provide free armorer training for Department staff at no cost and on-site; providing significant cost savings for both tuition and travel. Staff are also requesting to increase the number of firearms from 185 purchased in 2021, to 200. This is due to the department reaching full staffing which has impacted our inventory of spares that are issued as needed for investigations or maintenance.
In addition to the firearm, this transition will also require the purchase of additional magazines and replacing all department holsters. The purchase will include 200 duty holsters (increased from 175 for the same reasons noted for our increase in firearms), 35 paddle holsters (for investigators and administrative staff, and 40 leg holsters (SWAT and Special Enforcement Bureau). Staff needs to purchase 165 magazines to serve as spare/replacement magazines and for the SWAT team due to the need for them to carry extras as part of their standardized load-out. Staff are requesting 70 more magazines than the previous purchase based on replacement needs observed in the last several years.
Because of the increasing lead times, the amount of law enforcement organizations looking to replace their current Sig Sauer P320’s, and most importantly, the safety of staff and the community, staff are recommending that the City bypass the bid process and immediately award purchase to the lowest quote (of three). ProForce has also provided the lowest quote for all associated equipment with the exception of ammunition and armorer kits.
Fiscal Impact:
Staff is requesting to establish a CIP account in the General Fund (001) for $271,000.
The purchase from ProForce is an exception to the City’s purchasing policy due to the urgency of the purchase. To ensure the City receives the best price for each product, staff received three quotes from vendors as listed below:
- Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0 - Staff received quotes from ProForce, Adamson and Arms Unlimited. ProForce was the lowest quote.
- Holsters - Staff received quotes from ProForce, Adamson and Alien Gear. ProForce was the lowest quote.
- Ammunition - Dooley’s is the only vendor that supplies the model of ammunition used by staff and capable of providing the needed amount. It will be acquired through standard purchase processes.
- Armorer Kits - The kits specific to this weapon are not yet available. These kits are a comprehensive toolset designed for the maintenance, repair, and customization of a firearm. Staff are estimating the budget needed and will purchase when available through the purchasing process.
Below is a cost summary for each item:
|
|
Unit Price |
Unit Amount |
Net Cost |
Tax/ Shipping |
Total |
Vendor |
|
Firearm |
$907.55 |
200 |
$181,510.00 |
$15,428.36 |
$196,938.36 |
ProForce |
|
Magazines |
$22.59 |
165 |
$3,727.35 |
$316.83 |
$4,044.18 |
ProForce |
|
Duty Holster |
$132.00 |
200 |
$26,400.00 |
$2,244.00 |
$28,644.00 |
ProForce |
|
Paddle Holster |
$85.00 |
35 |
$2,975.00 |
$252.88 |
$3,227.88 |
ProForce |
|
Leg Holsters |
$192.00 |
40 |
$7,680.00 |
$652.80 |
$8,332.80 |
ProForce |
|
Armorer Kits |
$300.00 |
12 |
$3,600.00 |
|
$3,600.00 |
TBD |
|
Ammunition |
$234.56 |
100 |
$23,456.00 |
$2,738.80 |
$26,194.80 |
Dooley |
|
Project Total |
$270,982,02 |
Prior Council Action: None.
Other: N/A
Alternatives: Deny the recommended motion.
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
Authorize the City Manager to bypass the bid process and enter into contract with ProForce, not to exceed $241,187.22, to replace the current duty handgun and related equipment; and appropriate $271,000 from the General Fund.
Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: N/A
Deadline for Action: 9/15/2025
Attachments: None.