MEETING DATE:
OCTOBER 14, 2025
SUBJECT:
Title
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-9496 - AWARDING A CONTRACT TO BRAUN NORTHWEST, INC. FOR THE PURCHASE OF ONE (1) RECHASSIS TYPE III AMBULANCE AND SUPPORT EQUIPMENT, AND DELEGATING AUTHORITY TO THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE, FINALIZE, AND EXECUTE THE CONTRACT AND ANY RELATED DOCUMENTS.
Body
Recommendation
Recommendation
ADOPT a resolution approving the purchase of one (1) rechassis type III ambulance and support equipment from Braun Northwest, Inc, and delegating authority to the City Manager to negotiate, finalize, and execute any related documents.
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Board or Commission
Not Applicable
Executive Summary
The City Council adopted the City’s fiscal year 2025-2026 annual operating budget on June 11, 2025. The adopted operating budget includes funding for the purchase of one (1) rechassis type III ambulance though the Vehicle & Equipment Replacement Fund.
Discussion
The Fire Department’s call volume continues to increase, thus increasing the mileage and maintenance on the Department’s first-line ambulances. The ambulance rechassis will provide the enhancement necessary to maintain a reliable first-line fleet. The ambulance rechassis purchases are built into the replacement schedule and are set to be replaced every four (4) years.
In accordance with San Marcos Municipal Code (SMMC) Section 2.30.110 [Cooperative Purchasing (Piggyback Procurement)], the City may purchase goods and services by way of cooperative purchasing programs with public agencies within the United States. Staff recommends the procurement of the ambulance rechassis and support equipment utilizing the cooperative purchasing program of Houston-Galveston Area Council of Governments (HGACBuy), of which the City is an active member. HGACBuy has competitively bid and entered into a contract with Braun Northwest (Bid No. AM 10-23) for the purchase of emergency vehicles, including ambulance rechassis.
A determining factor in selecting Braun Northwest, Inc. to build the City’s ambulances, in addition to price, was its ability to rechassis its product. Cost savings are realized by utilizing this sustainable rechassis replacement model and will allow the Fire Department to avoid purchasing new ambulances on a more frequent basis. The purchase of each ambulance rechassis is currently set to occur every four (4) years for each respective vehicle.
Staff recommend authorizing the award of the contract to Braun Northwest, Inc., and delegating authority to the City Manager to negotiate, finalize, and execute the contract and all related documents thereafter in accordance with SMMC Chapter 2.30.
Environmental Review
The proposed contract does not have the potential to cause either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment; it therefore does not constitute a “project” as defined by Public Resources Section 21065, and is exempt from CEQA or other environmental review pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15061(b)(3).
Fiscal Impact
Based on these specifications, the following outlines the one-time cost elements contained within the total purchase price for the ambulance rechassis, and the cost to the Vehicle & Equipment Replacement Fund:
Rechassis Cost $ 200,576
Sales Tax (8.75%) $ 17,551
Equipment $ 61,873
Total: $ 280,000
These costs are included in the FY 2025-26 City Operations and Capital Improvement Program Budget in the vehicle & equipment acquisition and replacement fund (602). Approval does not result in a change in the current budget.
Attachment(s)
Resolution
Prepared by: Dean White, Division Chief
Submitted by: Heather Todd, Fire/EMS Administrative Services Manager
Reviewed by: Dan Barron, Fire Chief
Approved by: Michelle Bender, City Manager