Submitted By: Lafayetta Hodges / Susan Dobson
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Presentation By: Michael Balken
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Department: Police
STAFF RECOMMENDATION (Motion Ready):
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Approve the continued use of the State of Florida Alternative Source Agreement for the purchase of bulletproof vests from Federal Eastern International in an amount not to exceed $198,215
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OCALA’S RELEVANT STRATEGIC GOALS:
Quality of Place
PROOF OF PUBLICATION:
N/A
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BACKGROUND:
Bulletproof vests are essential for ensuring the safety of police officers against firearms and other threats. High-quality, reliable vests that meet established safety standards significantly reduce the risk of injury to law enforcement personnel. The Patrick Leahy Bulletproof Vest Partnership (BVP) Grant Act of 1998 is a unique U.S. Department of Justice initiative designed to provide critically needed bulletproof vests to state and local law enforcement.
Since 2022, the Ocala Police Department has been awarded $82,767 in Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grants as follows:
• Fiscal Year 2022-23 Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant in the amount of $23,025, award #2022BUBX22030923, which was appropriated on Budget Resolution 2023-115 on December 20, 2022.
• Fiscal Year 2023-24 Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant in the amount of $30,397, award #2023BUBX23034579, was appropriated on Budget Resolution 2024-113 on November 7, 2023.
• Fiscal Year 2024-25 Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant in the amount of $29,345, award #2024BUBX24041452, was appropriated on Budget Resolution 2025-111 on November 5, 2024.
Grants from the U.S. Department of Justice are available to assist agencies with 50 percent of the cost to replace expired vests that have reached their five-year life span and purchase new bulletproof vests.
FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS:
Ocala Police Department has utilized the Florida Department of Management Services’ (“DMS”) Alternate Contract Source (“ACS”) agreement for body armor and ballistic resistant products, Contract No. 46151500-NASPO-21-ACS, to procure new bulletproof vests. Contract No. 46151500-NASPO-21-ACS was awarded for an initial 20-month term of March 16, 2021 through November 10, 2022. Since then, it has been renewed a total of three times and will expire on November 10, 2025.
As a political subdivision of the state of Florida, the City of Ocala qualifies as an eligible user of DMS ACS agreements under Rule 60A-1.001, Florida Administrative Code. ACS agreements have been competitively solicited by governmental agencies and evaluated and determined by the Florida Secretary of Management Services to be cost-effective and to afford best value.
Federal Eastern International is an authorized reseller under the ACS Agreement. With the grant funding totaling $82,767 and the required matching funds totaling $82,767, plus the cost of the carriers at $32,681, the Ocala Police Department will purchase bulletproof vests and carriers totaling $198,215.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Grant funds totaling $82,767 are budgeted in account 001-060-849-521-52-52010. The required 50 percent match of $82,767, plus the cost of carriers of $32,681, is budgeted in match account 001-018-822-521-52-52010.
City Council passed BR-2023-115 on 12/20/2022, BR-2024-113 on 11/7/23, and BR-2025-111 on 11/5/2024.
PROCUREMENT REVIEW:
These goods have been procured in compliance with the City’s Procurement Policy.
LEGAL REVIEW:
N/A. The City’s standard and approved Purchase Order terms and conditions shall govern this purchase.
ALTERNATIVE:
• Approve with Changes
• Table
• Deny