Report Prepared by: Derek Parker, Fire Chief, Fire Department
Title
SUBJECT: Approval to Waive the Competitive Bidding Requirements to Purchase One (1) Stryker Gurney, One (1) Stryker Power-Pro XT Cot, One (1) Stryker Stair-Pro, and One (1) Stryker LIFEPAK 15 with Stryker ProCare Service at $139,715.04
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers approving to waive the City’s competitive bidding requirements pursuant to Merced Municipal Code Section 3.04.210 for the purchase of one (1) Stryker Gurney, one (1) Stryker Power-Pro XT Cot, one (1) Stryker Stair-Pro, and one (1) Stryker LIFEPAK 15 with Stryker ProCare Service at $139,715.04.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion:
A. Waiving the City’s competitive bidding requirement as permitted by Merced Municipal Code Section 3.04.210 for standardization of equipment in purchasing one (1) Stryker Gurney, one (1) Stryker Power-Pro XT Cot, one (1) Stryker Stair-Pro, and one (1) Stryker LIFEPAK 15 with Stryker ProCare Service at $139,715.04; and,
B. Authorizing the purchase of one (1) Stryker Gurney, one (1) Stryker Power-Pro XT Cot, one (1) Stryker Stair-Pro, and one (1) Stryker LIFEPAK 15 with Stryker ProCare Service at $139,715.04; and,
C. Authorizing the City Manager or the Deputy City Manager to execute the necessary documents, the Finance Officer to make the necessary budget adjustments, and the City Purchasing Supervisor to issue the Purchase Order/Change Order(s) in the amount of $139,715.04, the purchase price.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, as recommended by staff; or,
2. Approve, subject to conditions other than recommended by staff’ or,
3. Deny; or,
4. Refer to staff for reconsideration of specific items; or,
5. Continue to a future meeting.
AUTHORITY
Title 3, Article III of the Merced Municipal Code, Purchases over Thirty-six Thousand Dollars.
Section 3.04.210 - Exemptions from competitive bidding
Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, competitive bidding requirements for purchases in excess of Thirty-six thousand dollars ($36,000), and the “bidding threshold”, may be waived with the approval of the City Council. Waivers may be authorized for, but are not limited to, cooperative purchasing in conjunction with other governmental entities, professional services, annual service, or supply agreements, or purchases necessary for standardization on particular types of equipment. The bidding threshold shall be adjusted for inflation utilizing the same index and methodology as the bidding threshold in Section 3.04.080 of this code.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
As provided for in the FY 23/24 Adopted Budget.
DISCUSSION
Background
The citizens of Merced request ambulance transport approximately 20,000 times per year. The contracted advanced life support (ALS) provider in Merced County has been unable to meet the 90% compliance for on scene requirement for over a year. Requests for ambulance transport are often waiting for ambulances to arrive, sometimes up to 120 minutes. The Merced Fire Department (MFD) and their partners with Mercy Medical Center, Merced (MMCM) are poised to supplement the EMS system with services to improve the quality of response and care within the City of Merced which will positively impact the County of Merced.
The MFD supports five stations with five (5) front-line fire engines and one (1) aerial fire truck. Each company is staffed with three (3) persons, one in each rank of Fire Captain, Engineer, and Firefighter. MFD will be able to deploy a new ambulance as an ALS ambulance to support MMCM to decompress their hospital by performing interfacility transfers as well as supporting the emergency response system with providers to first respond to calls which would typically respond a fire engine, or in some cases, no first responder. The gurney, loader, stair chair, and electrocardiogram (ECG) monitor bring safety, function, and technology to the MFD to a level which has never been accomplished before.
The Merced Municipal Code Section 3.04.210 provides for an exception to the competitive bidding requirements where waivers may be authorized by city council. In 2020 Merced City Council approved the approval of purchase of Stryker LUCAS 3.0 automatic chest compression devices as well the donation of Mercy Merced Foundation to purchase additional Stryker LUCAS 3.0 automatic chest compression devices. The purchase of Stryker LIFEPAK 15 devices allows for increased functionality between the ECG monitor and the chest compression device.
The partnership with MMCM will allow the MFD to generate revenue to support a self-sustaining EMS transport system. In addition to interfacility transports, the “Medic Units” will support MMCM’s mission of providing care to those in need and the “Medic Units” will be the initial units which participate.
Stryker Power-PRO XT MTS Cot is a gurney which is paired with the MTS Powerload. The Stryker Powerload system is designed to both charge the electronic/hydraulic gurney and automatically load the gurney into the ambulance. Safety of our members, both current and future, is of paramount importance. The MFD EMS program will be established on sound principles to ensure members health and wellness. Stryker Powerload and cot are rated to lift and carry patients up to 700 pounds therefore reducing the exposure to fire and EMS personnel with heavy patient loads. Studies how that 1 in 4 EMS workers will suffer a career ending back injury in their first 4 years in the field. Additional studies show evidence where cot related injuries have been reduced in agencies with the addition of the Stryker Powerload system by up to 100% over a 4-year period. Keeping with safety as a pilar to our successful workforce, Stryker Powerload systems are essential for EMS transport. The Stryker ProCare will provide regular service for the equipment and ensure it is operating is excellent condition.
Stryker Stair-PRO is designed to assist crews in the movement of patients up, down, and through staircases and tight locations. Safety of both the patient and provider are essential, and the Stair-PRO provides for all parties without compromising safety. Stryker ProCare will provide regular service for the equipment and ensure it is operating in excellent condition.
Stryker LIFEPAK 15 is an ECG monitor/defibrillator which has capability for ECG, 12-lead ECG, defibrillation, synchronized cardioversion, pacing, non-invasive blood pressure monitoring, pulse oximetry, end-tidal carbon dioxide monitoring, temperature monitoring, and a modem to transmit data to a cloud server which will be entered into patient care reporting charts. Accurate data will lead to improved patient outcomes and research opportunities. The LIFEPAK 15 monitors will be regularly serviced by the Stryker ProCare to ensure it is operating in excellent condition.
A core value of the MFD is Community. The value states, “Members of the City of Merced Fire Department value being involved in the community where we work. Our responsibility is to protect life, property and the environment. We are committed to fulfilling our responsibility and deepening our involvement in the community we serve. No request or inquiry will go unanswered.” No member of the community should request EMS and not receive timely care. This equipment fulfills the buildout of the ambulance capital equipment and is the start of answering the community’s needs, ensuring no request or inquiry will go unanswered.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
An ambulance and accessories were approved in the FY 23/24 adopted budget and no additional appropriation is required. The purchase of an ambulance is a separate agenda item. Funding is available in Fund 2003-Measure “Y” Fire. Additional personnel for the program will be requested in the future.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Ambulance Equipment Quote 6.28.2023
2. Ambulance Equipment Procare Quote 6.28.2023