HomeMy WebLinkAbout07 - Purchase of Rescue BoatWdsonkuharwo
Council Agenda
Item No. 7
May 14, 2002
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: General Services Director
SUBJECT: Purchase of Rescue Boat
Recommendation:
Waive City competitive bidding guidelines and approve the single source purchase
of a large. rescue boat from Crystaliner Corporation of Costa Mesa at a total cost of
$257,921.18 including tax.
Background:
The City maintains and operates two large Crystaliner rescue boats. The boats are
used primarily offshore to rescue swimmers during the summer season.
The FY 2001 -02 Budget includes funding to purchase a third rescue boat to be
used by the Fire Department. The boat is to be purchased from oil spill funds
budgeted in Account 7295- C5100566 (Ocean Safety Operations/Rescue Boat).
Over the past several months, staff has done extensive research preparing rescue
boat specifications and reviewing equipment available for purchase from various
manufacturers.
City staff has come to the conclusion that the single source purchase of a new
rescue boat from the Crystaliner Corporation of Costa Mesa represents the best
long -term interests of the City.
City purchasing guidelines allow the waiver of competitive bidding with Council
approval. Staff feels that there are compelling reasons to waive competitive
bidding for the purchase of the rescue boat.
Discussion:
The Fire Department currently operates two large twin- engine rescue boats. One
was manufactured in 1977 and the other in 1985 by the Crystaliner Corporation of
Costa Mesa. The boats are of solid fiberglass construction, are almost 30' long,
and have proven to be incredibly durable in heavy City use. General Services
Department equipment mechanics maintain both boats.
The older boat was the first rescue boat built by Crystaliner. Crystaliner is
currently the major manufacturer of rescue boats on the West Coast and the only
company known to staff using solid fiberglass construction (as opposed to the
fiberglass over wood construction used by other boat manufacturers). This type of
construction creates a more durable, longer - lasting vessel, as proven by the
exceptionally long service records of the two current rescue boats. At the present
time, Crystaliner is constructing similar rescue boats for the Cities of Oceanside
and Huntington Beach.
Staff developed rescue boat specifications based upon the two boats currently in
use, and those of the new Oceanside and Huntington Beach boats. Crystaliner has
evaluated the proposed City specifications and provided a final quote of
$257,921.18 for the new boat, which includes sales tax.
The General Services and Fire Department's staffs believe the Crystaliner boat is
the best choice due to our maintenance and operating experiences with these boats
over the past 25 years. The new boat will operate, perform, and be designed in a
similar manner to the two boats currently in service, so the learning curve for boat
operators and maintenance personnel is significantly reduced. Additionally, the
long -term durability of the Crystaliner product has been proven in our own
experience, as well as that of other municipalities. As a matter of fact, Lifeguard
Division staff have experienced no major hull maintenance issues over the 25 year
lifespan of the 1977 boat. This is impressive given the amount of heavy sea use
these boats receive.
The City must have dependable and durable rescue boats, not just to protect the
public, but to ensure the safety of Lifeguard personnel operating the boats during
rescue missions.
Since Crystaliner builds the only all - fiberglass boat for rescue operations, that firm
would be the only company able to meet City specifications and submit a
responsive bid. Additionally, since the boat would be completely manufactured in
Costa Mesa, Lifeguard and Equipment Maintenance staffs can easily inspect the
vessel at each step in the twelve -month manufacturing process at no additional
cost.
In summary, the General Services and Fire Departments recommend a Council
waiver of competitive bidding and approval to purchase a new rescue boat from
the Crystaliner Corporation for a total cost of $257,921.18 including tax.
Sufficient funding is available in the oil spill fund account to purchase a new
rescue boat.
Very respectfully,
David E. Niederhaus
DEN /mp