PURPOSE:

To obtain authorization to extend Price Agreement 1444 with Work Boot Warehouse to provide safety boots for Fire Department personnel.

BACKGROUND:

For the past four years, Work Boot Warehouse has been providing safety boots for Burbank Fire Department personnel.  The boots they provide are watertight with a Gore-Tex lining that allows fire safety members to wear the boots under extreme fire conditions.  The Burbank Municipal Code requires that this purchase be sent out to bid after four years.  Since this is a special-make boot having to meet Burbank Specifications, local vendors would not have this in stock and would have to special order the boots.  Because of this, they are requesting a minimum bid amount of 150 pairs annually, significantly greater than the needs of the department.  Past experience has shown the fire department purchases approximately 50 to 55 pairs per year.  

ANALYSIS:

Unlike the local vendors, Work Boot Warehouse has a large supply of this unique style and model of boot on hand, maintaining a stock of approximately 300 pairs of boots.  The vendor is conveniently located in North Hollywood and has additional locations throughout the southland that provide easy access to staff members.  The Fire Department has a very good relationship with Work Boot Warehouse. Their prices have remained at their initial bid price the entire time, and this vendor has proven its ability to readily meet the needs of the Department for the next several years.  Renewal of the current price agreement is necessary to maintain safety integrity for Fire Safety employees.

FISCAL IMPACT:   

The vendor has agreed to hold to the current price of $220 per pair for the additional time frame of the contract.  Staff is seeking a one year price agreement with the option of extending for three additional years. The Fire Department currently budgets approximately $10,000 annually for safety boots.

RECOMMENDATION:

Staff recommends that the Council approve the resolution authorizing the extension of Price Agreement 1444 with Work Boot Warehouse, for a period of one year with the option of extending the contract for an additional three years.

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