The Police Department has eight (8) patrol vehicles to replace in the FY16 Equipment Replacement Plan (ERP).  The State of Montana conducts an annual competitive bidding process for law enforcement vehicles.  Local government agencies are allowed to use the same vendor that the State chooses.  Bison Ford Motor Company, Great Falls, Montana, was selected as the vendor to provide the State of Montana with Ford Sedan Police Interceptors in 2015.  Local car dealers usually will not submit bids if requested because they cannot compete on price due to the volume purchased through the State contract.  Therefore, staff is requesting that the City Council approve purchasing 8 patrol vehicles from Bison Ford Motor Company of Great Falls for the price of $27,488.08 each, or a total cost of $219,904.64.

The City Council may:

• Approve purchase of the 8 patrol vehicles from Bison Ford, or
• Not approve the purchase of the 8 patrol vehicles.  Present patrol units will be retained and operated beyond their recommended replacement life, which will result in more down-time and higher repair costs.

The 8 replacement patrol vehicles are budgeted in the 2016 Equipment Replacement Fund budget.

Staff recommends that the City Council approve purchasing 8 patrol vehicles from Bison Ford Motor Company of Great Falls for the price of $27,488.08 each, or a total cost of $219,904.64.