PRESENTER: Presenter
Jennifer Gates, Grants Coordinator
Body
SUBJECT: Title
Approval of a purchase with FarrWest Environmental Supply, Inc. for a gas/vapor monitoring system for the New Braunfels Fire Department using funding provided by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, State Homeland Security Program - Regular Projects grant for Program Year 2024.
Header
DEPARTMENT: Fire
Body
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The City’s adopted 2024-2029 Strategic Plan includes an objective addressing continuation of diversifying revenue streams to support long-term fiscal sustainability of the Organization.
As such, on February 26, 2024, the City Council ratified an application, including an accompanying resolution, submitted by staff to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, State Homeland Security Program - Regular Projects grant program as administered by the Office of the Governor, Public Safety Office, Homeland Security Grants Division’s State Homeland Security Program grant for Program Year 2024 to request funding on behalf of the New Braunfels Fire Department (NBFD) for the purchase of equipment for the New Braunfels Fire Department’s (NBFD) Hazmat team. The City subsequently received notification from the granting agency in October of their full approval of the requested funding, and in accordance with City Council’s prior approval, the City Manager has acted as the authorized official on behalf of the City in all matters related to this grant, including acceptance of its award.
As such, NBFD is requesting the purchase of a rugged handheld gas/vapor detection and identification system that uses Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to detect and identify over 5,000 types of dangerous chemical gases and vapors that could be released during natural and man-made events. The equipment will be used by trained members of NBFD’s Hazardous Material (Hazmat) Team and its regional Guada-Coma Emergency Response Group, allowing them to be significantly more effective in protecting first responders, over 100,000 City residents, and more than 3 million tourists each year from potential threats and hazards caused by emergency situations such as floods, industrial accidents, and terroristic activities.
If approved, the equipment will be purchased from FarrWest Environmental Supply, Inc. for a total cost of $58,400, including 3-day training provided by the vendor, using a Buyboard cooperative contract, thereby fulfilling all competitive procurement requirements. The granting agency provides funds for 100% of the total amount; there is no City-match requirement. All additional funding available from this grant will be used for other eligible costs associated with this purchase, such as testing supplies, prior to September 30, 2025.
ISSUE:
The City’s adopted 2024-2029 Strategic Plan includes objectives pertaining to public safety and fiscal sustainability. Therefore, the purchase described within this agenda item will support the use of awarded grant funds for eligible costs incurred by the New Braunfels Fire Department during the City’s Fiscal Year 2025, including the cost of the requested equipment.
STRATEGIC PLAN REFERENCE:
☐Economic Mobility ☐Enhanced Connectivity ☐Community Identity
☒Organizational Excellence ☒Community Well-Being ☐N/A
(Organizational Excellence) Considering statutory and market-based factors, continue to diversify revenue streams to support long-term fiscal sustainability of the Organization. (Community Well-Being) Continue to develop alternative public safety deployment strategies that align to call type and statutory requirements to allow for efficient use of current and future staff resources.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The granting agency will provide reimbursement of all eligible costs; there is no City-match requirement. Therefore, there are sufficient funds for the requested procurement.
Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of a purchase with FarrWest Environmental Supply, Inc. for a gas/vapor monitoring system for the New Braunfels Fire Department using funding provided by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, State Homeland Security Program - Regular Projects grant for Program Year 2024.