The Police Department has eleven (11) patrol vehicles to replace in the FY11 Equipment Replacement Plan (ERP).  The State of Montana does an RFP for law enforcement vehicles annually.  Local government agencies are allowed to use the same vendor that the State chooses for its highway patrol vehicles.  Bison Ford Motor Company, Great Falls, Montana, was selected as the vendor to provide the State of Montana with the Ford Crown Victoria patrol vehicles in 2010.    Staff recommends purchasing the replacement patrol cars from Bison Motors because local vendors could not compete due to the volume done through the State contract.    The ERP Committee closely checks before approving the purchase of any new vehicles, to make sure the purchases are warranted on the basis of the use of the vehicles.  Ford Motor Company is rolling over the prices from 2010 at $23,984.67 for each vehicle.  The City will select an updated wiring and light package for an additional $225 per vehicle.  Therefore, the price per vehicle will be $24,209.67.  Staff is requesting Council approval to purchase 11 patrol vehicles from Bison Ford Motor Company of Great Falls for the price of $24,209.67 each, or a total cost of $266,306.37. 

The City Council may:

• Approve purchase of the 11 patrol vehicles, or
• Not approve the purchase of the 11 patrol vehicles.

The 11 replacement patrol vehicles are budgeted in the 2011 equipment replacement fund budget.

Staff is requesting Council approval to purchase 11 patrol vehicles from Bison Ford Motor Company of Great Falls for the price of $24,209.67 each, or a total cost of $266,306.37.