HomeMy WebLinkAboutFCS-14-180 - T14-081 Nomex Firefighter Station Wear
REPORT TO: Jeff Willmer, Chief Administrative Officer
DATE OF MEETING: 2014-10-16
SUBMITTED BY: Larry Gordon, Director of Supply Services, 519-741-2200 ext.
7214
PREPARED BY: Ryan Scott, Buyer, 519-741-2200 ext. 7216
WARD(S) INVOLVED: N/A
DATE OF REPORT: 2014-10-10
REPORT NO.: FCS-14-180
SUBJECT: T14-081 Nomex Firefighter Station Wear
___________________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION:
That Tender T14-081 Nomex Firefighter Station Wear, be awarded to Kehoe Law
Enforcement (LE) Distributors Inc., Cambridge, Ontario, at their tendered price of
$93,319.92, plus H.S.T. of $12,131.59, for a total of $105,451.51, for a one (1) year term,
with an option to renew for two (2) additional twelve (12) month terms.
BACKGROUND:
The collective agreement between the Corporation of the City of Kitchener and the Kitchener
Professional Fire Fighters’ Association (KPFFA) provides for station uniforms which must be
worn by suppression and training staff who are covered under the agreement while on duty.
This station wear is compliant with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA 1975), meets
Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee (JOHSC) concerns and responds to grievance
commitments.
The tender is based on fixed unit prices and on an estimate of station uniforms projected for
replacement as per the collective agreement.
The average annual spend over the past three (3) years was $23,934.85. Actual spend will
depend on the number of uniforms purchased over the term of the contract.
REPORT:
Tenders were advertised publicly on the City of Kitchener website and the Internet through the
Ontario Public Buyers Electronic Tendering Information System. Documents were downloaded
by twenty-four (24) interested parties, and by the closing date of Thursday October 2, 2014,
three (3) tenders had been received.
The following tenders were received:
Bid Price
Kehoe Law Enforcement (LE) Distributors Inc. Cambridge ON $105,451.51 *
OPS Inc. Hanover ON $112,387.54
Novacks Uniform Solutions London ON $147,410.96
The price for firefighter station wear has increased 142% from the previous contract.
The current station wear was 65/35 polyester/rayon and 75/25 polyester/wool which has the
potential hazard of melting in fire conditions. NFPA 1975 advises against any use of polyester
or synthetic materials not tested for thermal stability.The JOHSC has deemed the station wear
for suppression and training staff as unsafe and has recommended the station wear material be
changed to Nomex IIIA or the 93% Nomex/5% Kevlar/2% antistatic with the accompanying
NFPA labeling.
The intent is to purchase two uniforms per staff member this year and revert back to the
collective agreement to purchase as required moving forward.
The tender was reviewed by C. Riley, Assistant Platoon Chief, who concurs with the above
recommendation.
ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
Theme: Financial Management
Strategic Direction: Ensure responsible use of public funds within a supportive policy
framework.
The City of Kitchener’s purchasing policies and practices ensure openness, fairness and
transparency in the procurement of goods and services.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
Funding will be provided from the Fire capital budget.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
INFORM - Potential vendors are informed of bid opportunities through the public posting of bid
documents as outlined in the City’s Purchasing By-Law. Vendors, local media and the general
public are informed of purchasing recommendations to Council through the public reports which
are included with the Council agenda the week prior to the Council meeting.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY:
Dan Chapman, Deputy CAO & City Treasurer, Finance and
Corporate Services