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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDTS-09-060 - Fire Services Aerial Apparatus Purchase j clii:::> KITCHENER Development & Technical Services ,.. REPORT TO: DATE OF MEETING: SUBMITTED BY: PREPARED BY: W ARD(S) INVOLVED: DATE OF REPORT: REPORT NO.: SUBJECT: Mayor Carl Zehr and Members of Council April 6, 2009 Tim Beckett, Fire Chief Steve Usher Deputy Fire Chief (Ext 2499) All April 2, 2009 DTS-09-060 FIRE DEPARTMENT AERIAL APPARATUS PURCHASE RECOMMENDATION: That Council increase the upper limit of approval for the purchase of a stock aerial apparatus from $836,000.00 to $863,538.00. BACKGROUND: In November, 2008, the Fire Department and the Purchasing Division completed preliminary work in canvassing fire apparatus dealers for the availability of in-stock aerial apparatus in an effort to purchase a stock unit at a lower cost than a custom built tendered vehicle. On November 24,2008 Council adopted the following resolution: "That the tender process be waived for the scheduled purchase of a custom built aerial apparatus and allow the purchase of a comparable stock apparatus from a pre-qualified dealer at a cost between $692,000.00 and $836,000.00" Staff has recently identified a suitable in-stock vehicle. As is the case for most fire apparatus, this vehicle will be purchased in U.S. dollars and, as the value of the Canadian dollar has depreciated since November 2008, there is a need to adjust the upper limit of the purchasing approval. REPORT: The process of finding suitable in-stock aerial apparatus can be lengthy due to fluctuations in availability and scheduling of inspections with dealers and staff. An aerial device that meets the specifications of the Fire Department was recently located through Darch Fire of Ayr, Ontario at a cost of $863,538.00. This amount represents a 2.92% ($27,538.00) increase over the upper limit previously approved by Council on November 24, 2008. The Fire Department received responses from 4 dealers with in-stock units, with 3 dealers providing associated pricing and this vehicle was the lowest cost. The capital budget for apparatus replacement allotted $1,097,000.00 for the replacement of this apparatus, so the purchase of this unit is still well under budget, representing a savings of $233,462.00. The variance in the cost of this apparatus is primarily due to the increase in the exchange rate from November 2008 to March 2009. There has been an increase in the cost of the U.S. dollar by 3.6% since that time. The Purchasing Policy provides that: "Any increases to an approved tender that is more than 10% or is not within the budget originally approved must be approved by resolution of Council." Notwithstanding the fact that the cost is within 10% of the original Council approval and that there is sufficient funding available in the capital budget, this report is being brought forward to Council to ensure complete transparency with respect to the purchase. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: Revenue Capital/Fire-Major EquipmenVFleet: $1,097,000.00 Expenses One Aerial Apparatus Less G.S.T. Rebate $906,714.90 $ 43 176.90 $863,538.00 $ 863 538.00 $ 233,462.00 surplus CONCLUSION: While the cost to purchase this apparatus has increased marginally due to exchange rate fluctuations since the original Council approval for the purchase of an in-stock unit, it still represents a significant savings of $233,462.00 relative to the amount budgeted to replace this vehicle assuming it were replaced with a customized tendered unit. I ACKNOWLEDGED BY: J. Willmer