FROM: James D. Herberg, General Manager
Originator: Celia Chandler, Director of Human Resources
SUBJECT:
title
PURCHASE OF SCBA AND SUPPLIED AIR SYSTEMS
end
GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
RECOMMENDATION:
A. Approve a Sole Source Purchase Order with Mallory Safety and Supply LLC for the purchase of self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and supplied air systems, using the OMNIA Partners, Public Sector Cooperative Contract No.159498, for a total amount not to exceed $169,000; and
B. Approve a contingency of $5,070 (3%).
body
BACKGROUND
The Orange County Sanitation District (OC San) maintenance and collections staff routinely enter confined spaces, which are characterized by the following: 1) large enough and so configured that an employee can bodily enter and perform assigned work; 2) has limited or restricted means for entry/exit; and 3) is not designed for continuous employee occupancy. Confined spaces at OC San include sewers, clarifiers, vaults, pits, etc., and they have the potential for low oxygen, hydrogen sulfide, and other toxic vapors that are dangerous and pose a risk to life and health if appropriate safety measures are not implemented. OC San relies on the SCBA and supplied air systems to safely enter confined spaces for inspection, repair, and emergency rescue.
OMNIA Partners is the largest purchasing organization for the public sector. It is comprised of the two leading cooperative purchasing organizations: U.S. Communities and National IPA. The collective buying power of these two cooperatives delivers best value and large cost savings for public agencies nationwide. Contracts through this organization have all been competitively solicited through the Request for Proposal (RFP) process, evaluated for best value using best industry practices, and publicly awarded by a government entity acting as the lead agency. The Mallory Safety and Supply LLC Contract was initially awarded via U.S. Communities with The Port of Portland as the Principal Procurement Agency.
RELEVANT STANDARDS
• Comply with Cal OSHA safety orders for confined spaces
• Comply with OC San SOP-604 on confined space
• Provide a safe and collegial workplace
• Participate in local, state, and national cooperative purchasing agreements
PROBLEM
OC San currently utilizes SCBA and supplied air systems manufactured by Honeywell. Due to Honeywell’s discontinuation of their the SCBA products and equipment, OC San is unable to maintain its existing inventory of SCBA equipment and purchase the associated respiratory masks and equipment as inventory is depleted. Additionally, OC San is unable to repair the equipment to good operating condition or purchase new respirators that are compatible for these systems based on low supplies from authorized distributors.
PROPOSED SOLUTION
Approve a Sole Source Purchase Order to procure new SCBA and supplied air systems to replace obsolete equipment.
TIMING CONCERNS
Operation disruptions are possible if OC San staff are not properly equipped with SCBA and supplied air system to enter confined spaces. Additionally, OC San will achieve cost savings by replacing its inventory of the SCBA and supplied air systems in the immediate future as the vendor is expected to raise its prices in mid-June.
RAMIFICATIONS OF NOT TAKING ACTION
OC San staff will not be able to enter confined spaces to maintain and repair equipment resulting in treatment equipment being out of service, reduction in treatment capacity, and/or requiring maintenance and collections to outsource additional work to authorized and trained contractors.
PRIOR COMMITTEE/BOARD ACTIONS
N/A
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
N/A
CEQA
N/A
FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS
This request complies with authority levels of OC San’s Purchasing Ordinance. This item has been budgeted (FY2020-21 & 2021-22 Budget, Section 6 - Page 20 Professional Services - Other).
ATTACHMENT
The following attachment(s) may be viewed on-line at the OC San website (www.ocsan.gov) with the complete agenda package:
N/A