Agenda Item Wording:
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Fire Department Medical Supplies Contract - Authorize the City Manager to execute an emergency medical and pharmaceutical supplies contract with Henry Schein, Inc. for the purchase of emergency medical services (EMS) supplies, equipment, and pharmaceuticals.
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Prepared by: Cris Balderama, Sr. Admin Analyst, crissy.balderama@visalia.gov, 713-4513; Ryan Munger, EMS Coordinator, ryan.munger@visalia.gov, 713-4261; Dan Griswold, Fire Chief, dan.griswold@visalia.gov, 713-4220.
Department Recommendation: Staff recommends that Council authorize the City Manager to execute an emergency medical and pharmaceutical supplies contract with Henry Schein, Inc. for the purchase of EMS supplies, equipment, and pharmaceuticals. The contract will have a not-to-exceed amount of $70,000 per year and will piggyback on the competitively bid Minnesota Multistate Contracting Alliance for Pharmacy (MMCAP) Infuse contract MMS2200734 / California Department of General Services (CA-DGS) Contract 7-23-65-14 awarded to Henry Schein, Inc. The contract will be for one year, with four optional one-year renewals contingent upon renewal by the CA-DGS and the MMCAP Infuse contract.
Summary:
The Visalia Fire Department (VFD) provides Advanced Life Support (ALS) emergency medical services to the community. Reliable access to EMS supplies, equipment, and pharmaceuticals is essential to maintain effective emergency medical services and maintain compliance with clinical protocols. For the last several years, the Fire Department’s medical supply contract was with Bound Tree, LLC for the purchase of EMS supplies, equipment, and pharmaceuticals. The contract with Bound Tree, LLC has expired.
Background Discussion:
Following the expiration of the contract with Bound Tree, LLC, staff explored alternative procurement options and identified MMCAP Infuse contract MMS2200734, with Henry Schein, Inc. This cooperative agreement is recognized by the California Department of General Services (CA-DGS) and listed as an eligible cooperative agreement under Cal-eProcure. The State of Minnesota serves as the lead agency under the nationally recognized MMCAP Infuse program; a federal and state-endorsed group purchasing organization for pharmaceutical and medical supply contracts.
The proposed piggyback contract offers the following benefits:
• Competitively Bid & Compliant: Staff verified the MMCAP contract was publicly advertised and awarded following procurement standards. Henry Schein, Inc. was awarded based on evaluation criteria that allowed participation from multiple qualified vendors.
• Cost Savings: The contract offers a discount of 29% off non-core items and fixed pricing on listed core items. This represents considerable savings over ad-hoc purchases and ensures budget predictability despite market volatility in medical supply pricing.
• Widespread Use: The contract is currently utilized by the State of California and is structured to allow participation by local agencies.
The annual contract will have a not-to-exceed amount of $70,000 annually. Based on the prior years’ expenses listed below, this amount will be sufficient to accommodate expected expenses and rising medical supply costs.
Fiscal Year Total Cost of Supplies
22/23 $60,923.13
23/24 $45,255.73
24/25 $57,303.45
Fiscal Impact: Emergency medical supplies (EMS) supplies, equipment, and pharmaceuticals are budgeted in Fire Emergency Services/Operations 2222-57530. This budget line item currently has an appropriation of $102,000 for Fiscal Year 2025/26, which will cover this annual contract amount, as well as other EMS Program costs.
Prior Council Action: None.
Other: N/A
Alternatives: Deny contract authorization and direct staff to research and identify other options for medical supply procurement.
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
I move to authorize the City Manager to execute the emergency medical and pharmaceutical supplies contract with Henry Schein, Inc. for the purchase of EMS supplies, equipment, and pharmaceuticals to facilitate the Fire Department’s emergency medical service to the community.
Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: N/A
Deadline for Action: 10/6/2025
Attachments: 1. State of California Cooperative Agreement User Instructions
2. Henry Schein, Inc. - MMCAP Infuse Contract MMS2200734
3. Henry Schein Contract Price Listing MMS2200734
4. State of California Public Contract Code 10298