ACTION REQUESTED:
Title
Communication from the City Manager and Chief of Police with a Request to APPROVE the PURCHASE of 161 Body Armor Vests (Armor Express) from RAY O’HERRON for the Peoria Police Officers’ Duty Use, in the Amount of $71,645.00.
Body
BACKGROUND: In July, 2011, Peoria police officers were issued Gator Hawk Helix body armor. According to the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), the effective service life of this vest is 60 months. Under this standard, currently issued body armor will expire in July, 2016.
With the expiration date approaching, competitive bids for new body armor were sought. The bids would have to meet safety standards set by the Department of Justice. The vendors and pricing for their body armor are listed below. Also shown is the State of Illinois bid:
Vendor: Model: Price: Total Price:
1) S. Harris Uniform Second Chance $435.00 $70,035.00
2) Ray O’Herron Armor Express HLO-DII $445.00 $71,645.00
3) Ray O’Herron Point Blank GX-II $440.00 $70,840.00
4) LCD Survival LC-II $475.00 $76,475.00
5) Uniform Den GH Helix II $399.00 (State Bid) $64,239.00
After the vendors submitted their bids, the Peoria Police Department created a wear test committee that consisted of 9 officers (5 males and 4 females). The committee participated in the wear tests between late 2015 through early 2016. After wear testing these different models of body armor, the committee selected the Armor Express HLO-DII through Ray O’Herron. The officers selected Armor Express based on the armor’s comfort, fit, and flexibility.
Ray O’Herron submitted a bid of $445.00 per piece of Armor Express body armor. Although this bid is higher than the Gator Hawk Helix II through the Uniform Den, it was universally accepted that the Peoria police officers were dissatisfied with the Gator Hawk’s (GH Helix) performance during the past 5 years. Ray O’Herron’s Armor Express bid is competitive with the remaining three bids.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The total costs for 161 Armor Express vests is $71,645.00. $70,000.00 will be paid via the FY2016 C.I.P. funds through the Police Body Armor Vest project. The remaining $1,645.00 will be paid from the Police Training/Clothing account number 101-2121-561-4908.
NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS: N/A
IMPACT IF APPROVED: Officers will be issue required equipment necessary to help protect themselves in situations involving threats of great bodily injury or death.
IMPACT IF DENIED: Officers will continue to wear body armor that is not supported by the manufacturer’s warranty and beyond the expected service life.
ALTERNATIVES: N/A
EEO CERTIFICATION NUMBER: XXXXXX
WHICH OF THE GOALS IDENTIFIED IN THE COUNCIL’S 2014 - 2029 STRATEGIC PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION ADVANCE?
1. Financially Sound City Government, Effective City Organization
WHICH CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR(S) FROM THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION IMPLEMENT?
1. Not applicable.
DEPARTMENT: Police