Posting Language
Title
Ratify two contracts for anti-vehicle barricades and related services for Austin Police Department with Meridian Rapid Defense Group LLC d/b/a Meridian Rapid Defense Group Rentals, LLC for a one-time purchase in an amount not to exceed $538,417 for purchase and $112,635 for rental. Funding: $651,052 was available in the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Police Federal Department of Justice Asset Forfeiture Special Revenue Fund of the Austin Police Department.
Body
Lead Department
Financial Services Department.
Client Department(s)
Austin Police Department.
Fiscal Note
Funding in the amount of $651,052 was available in the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Police Federal Department of Justice Asset Forfeiture Special Revenue Fund of the Austin Police Department.
Purchasing Language:
Ratification.
MBE/WBE:
This contract is exempt from the City Code Chapter 2-9B (Minority-Owned and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Procurement Program); therefore, no subcontracting goals were established.
For More Information:
Direct questions regarding this Recommendation for Council Action to the Financial Services Department - Central Procurement at: FSDCentralProcurementRCAs@austintexas.gov or 512-974-2500.
Additional Backup Information:
The contract provided Archer 1200 Mobile Barriers, Barrier Trailers, and related services for deployment by the Austin Police Department to enhance pedestrian safety during Downtown activities, special events, and emergency operations. Due to these purchases having a long lead time rental barricades have also been contracted for the South by Southwest event. Traffic barricades used for road closures and special events do not provide an effective way to physically prevent a vehicle-based threat from entering a crowded area. Austin Police Department determined there was an immediate need to purchase the mobile barriers due to recent public safety concerns posed by vehicle-based threats in New Orleans and Las Vegas. Additionally, staff was concerned that there could be potential supply shortages relating to these recent events.
Previously, the Austin Police Department has only rented similar goods as on the spot purchases. The requested authorization amount was based on the contractor quote for goods and services needed.
The General Services Administration cooperative is a cooperative purchasing association recognized under Texas procurement statutes. Cooperative associations, themselves or using a lead government, competitively solicit and award contracts that are eligible for use by other qualified state and local governments. Due to their substantial volumes, larger than any one government could achieve independently, cooperative contracts routinely include superior terms, conditions, and pricing. Use of cooperative contracts also results in lower administrative costs and time savings.