Agenda Item Wording:
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Fire Department personal protective equipment (PPE) contract - Authorize the City Manager to enter a one-year contract with All Star Fire Equipment for structural firefighting turnout gear in an amount not to exceed $120,000 annually, with four additional one-year options to renew.
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Agenda Date: 07/20/2026
Prepared by: Dan Griswold, Fire Chief dan.griswold@visalia.gov, 713-4220; Shaun Spradling, Fire Captain shaun.spradling@visalia.gov, 713-4239; Cris Balderama, Senior Administrative Analyst crissy.balderama@visalia.gov, 713-4513
Department Recommendation: Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to enter a one-year contract with All Star Fire Equipment Inc. for structural firefighting turnout gear in an amount not to exceed $120,000 annually, with four additional one-year options to renew, for RFB 25-26-20.
Summary:
The City of Visalia issued request for bid (RFB) 25-26-20 for structural firefighting turnout gear. The bid solicitation closed on June 11, 2026, and the City received two responsive bids.
All Star Fire Equipment Inc. submitted the lowest responsive and responsible bid at a total cost of $3,819.96 per turnout gear set. The second bid was submitted by MES Service Company, LLC at a total cost of $4,097.60 per turnout gear set. Based on bid pricing, responsiveness, and compliance with bid specifications, staff recommends award of the contract to All Star Fire Equipment Inc.
During Fiscal Year 2025/26, the Fire Department purchased approximately 31 turnout gear sets. Purchasing thirty-one sets of turnout gear is an abnormally high amount for one year and includes replacements for current personnel and initial gear for new recruits Based on the awarded unit pricing, and anticipated and potential staffing and replacement needs, staff recommends establishing an annual contract authority of up to $120,000. This amount is expected to adequately support turnout gear replacement for existing p...
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