AGENDA CAPTION:
Title
Consider approval of Resolution 2025-61R, approving a contract with Dana Safety Supply, Inc., through the General Services Administration Cooperative Purchasing Program, for the purchase of equipment necessary to outfit seven vehicles for use by the San Marcos Police Department in the amount of $149,117.99; authorizing the City Manager, or her designee, to execute the contract on behalf of the city; and declaring an effective date.
Body
Meeting date: April 1, 2025
Department: Police
Amount & Source of Funding
Funds Required: 149,117.99
Account Number: 10001280.60130
Funds Available: 149,117.99
Account Name: Vehicles
Fiscal Note:
Prior Council Action: On December 3, 2024, City Council awarded a contract to Lake Country Chevrolet for the purchase of (7) Chevrolet Tahoes for use by the Police Department.
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Background Information:
The City of San Marcos has moved to a vehicle leasing plan through Enterprise. The Police Department also leases its vehicles, but in FY 2025, there were not enough funds to sustain a lease over five years. Instead, the City used one-time monies to purchase (7) Tahoes for the Police Department, which Council approved on December 3, 2024. Each Tahoe must be upfitted, which is done by Dana Safety Supply, Inc. Upfitting includes emergency lighting, prisoner transport system, gun locks, radio installation, camera installation, cradle points, push bumpers, and sirens.
The City is authorized by Texas Local Government Code Chapter 271.102 to participate in cooperative purchasing programs to procure goods and services, satisfying any state law requiring the local government to seek competitive bids. As such, this procurement is compliant through the federally procured General Services Administration (GSA) contract #GS-07F-0512T which provides for vehicle upfitting, emergency equipment installation, clothing and accessories, and public safety gear.
Council has previously asked why Chevy Tahoes are purchased instead of other options. There are three manufacturers who make police vehicles: Dodge (Durango), Ford (Explorer) and Chevrolet (Tahoe). Dodge ceased producing Chargers in 2023. Each vehicle is within $1,800 of the competitors at time of purchasing. However, resale of the Chevy Tahoe is considerably higher. In 2018, a Durango was resold for $10,149. In 2019, a Durango was resold for $8,823.39. However, Tahoes were sold in those same years, and they were sold for $17,000 and $19,100 respectively. A third sale is pending as of March 12, 2025, and the Department expects the resale value will be more than $20,000.
Council Committee, Board/Commission Action:
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Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval of this resolution for the upfitting of vehicles that have already been purchased.