Consideration and Approval of Purchase Contract:  Purchase of 7 Scott Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA), 7 Scott Face Piece masks, and 14 Scott 45-min SCBA Bottles from Fisher Scientific Company, L.L.C.

The purchase of the Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBAs) and accompanying equipment is needed to replace the existing outdated SCBAs currently used by the Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighters (ARFF) at the Flagstaff Airport. The SCBAs used by ARFF are 14 years old and do not meet the current NFPA 1981 (2019 edition) Standards. In addition to not meeting the Standards, the SCBAs used by ARFF are not compatible with the SCBAs used by the Flagstaff Fire Department. This presents a major safety concern because ARFF and the Flagstaff Fire Department work conjointly on aircraft emergencies. The new SCBAs will provide better safety and protection for the ARFF. It will also allow a more effective interoperability between ARFF and the Flagstaff Fire Department.

The Purchasing Section conducted a formal competitive Invitation for Bids that was advertised on September 4, 2018.  There were a total of two (2) bid responses received that were submitted by Fisher Scientific Company, L.L.C. ("Fisher Scientific") and Municipal Emergency Services. Fisher Scientific was the low bid.                                 

The purchase is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) Aeronautics and the City of Flagstaff (City match $2,294).  This purchase is budgeted in account 221-07-222-3140-0-4402 for $1,100,000 as part of the ARFF truck and its related equipment. Utilizing the grant will save the City of Flagstaff $49,019.49 and allow ARFF Staff to work with the Flagstaff Fire Department during an emergency.

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1. Award the contract with Fisher Scientific; or
2. Do not award the contract and reject all bids. This action would delay the City's ability to meet industry standards for personal protective equipment (PPE). If rejection occurs, possible options include:

• Re-advertise the solicitation and open new bids; or
• Allow the Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighters to rely on 14-year-old PPE that does not meet current standards.
• The City would also be required to de-obligate the grant award back to the FAA.

The SCBAs and accompanying equipment will be used by the ARFF in situations where an immediate danger to life and health (IDLH) can occur. The SCBA allows the ARFF to breathe air while performing fire suppression and rescue duties. The current model of SCBAs used by the ARFF are Scott 2.2 and were purchased in 2004. The Scott 2.2 model SCBA is fitted with 30-minute (breathable air) bottle and does not have a Rapid Intervention Crew/Company Universal Air Connection (RIC UAC). A RIC/UAC is designed for emergency situations in which a firefighter becomes “downed” and needs rescue. A RIC/UAC allows for one firefighter to share their breathable air with the ARFF that needs rescue/assistance from an IDLH situation.

The model of SCBAs being requested for purchase is a Scott 4.5. This model is fitted with a 45-minute (breathable air) bottle and is equipped with a RIC/UAC connection per NFPA 1981 (2019 edition) Standard. This is also the same generation of SCBA that is used by surrounding fire departments including our Flagstaff Fire Department. With the approval for purchase of the Scott 4.5 SCBA using FAA grant funding, the ARFF will be able to meet industry standards for personal protective equipment including having more breathable air in IDLH situations and additional safety features (RIC/UAC), and establish a continuity of equipment with the mutual aid partners including the Flagstaff Fire Department. This continuity would allow for ARFF and Flagstaff Fire Department to interchange bottles with the same capacity rating and connection during an aircraft emergency.

The primary consideration is the safety of the ARFF at the Flagstaff Airport. The purchase of the new SCBAs and accompanying equipment is needed to replace the 14-year-old, non-compliant ones currently being used by ARFF. The new SCBAs will provide better protection for the ARFF, meet current NFPA 1981 (2019 edition) Standards, and establish a continuity of personal protective equipment with the responding agencies to aircraft emergencies at the Flagstaff Airport.
The two bids received for the updated SCBAs purchase are:

• Fisher Scientific Company, L.L.C.                                     $51,313.49
• Municipal Emergency Services                                         $62,270.90

The purchase of new SCBAs and accompanying equipment will provide better protection for the ARFF. The new items will allow them to perform their duties of fire suppression and emergency response to aircraft emergencies at the Flagstaff Airport safer and more effectively. This enhances the safety operations at the Flagstaff Airport which also enhances the safety of the public who utilize the Flagstaff Airport.

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