Fiscal Note
The proposed resolution authorizes the extension of the Madison Fire Department’s (MFD) non-competitive purchasing agreement for firefighter turnout gear through at least 2025. MFD has purchased the same turnout gear from the same vendor for the past 10 years, which was authorized by adopted resolution RES-15-00054. The proposed extension will allow MFD to test new turnout gear in 2025 and run a request for bid (RFB) process in February 2026. Extension of the current agreement will not result in price increases beyond what is specified in the current agreement. Funding for firefighter turnout gear is included in the City of Madison Fire Department’s adopted capital budget. No additional City appropriation is required.
Title
Authorizing the extension of the current firefighter personal protective equipment (PPE) purchase agreement between the Madison Fire Department and Jefferson Fire & Safety, Inc. until a new contract is awarded in 2026 following testing and a request for bid (RFB) process.
Body
WHEREAS, adopted resolution RES-15-00054 (file ID 36653) was adopted in 2015 to allow sole source purchasing of firefighter turnout gear from Jefferson Fire & Safety, Inc. (Jefferson Fire) for up to 10 years;
WHEREAS, turnout gear is the personal protective equipment (PPE) worn into a fire and includes the fire coat, pants and suspenders, and boots;
WHEREAS, the City of Madison Fire Department (MFD) has purchased Honeywell/Morning Pride turnout gear from Jefferson Fire, the manufacturer’s Wisconsin sales representative, for the life of the agreement;
WHEREAS, Morning Pride meets section 4.25 - Procurement of Items of Apparel of the City of Madison Ordinances (MGO);
WHEREAS, the current agreement following adopted resolution RES-15-00054 expires January 2025;
WHEREAS, an extension is necessary to allow time for a thorough review of new turnout gear specifications following MFD’s attendance at an upcoming PPE symposium in March 2025 and the PPE committee’s specification finalization process, set to conclude by the end of April 2025;
WHEREAS, new specifications will mark advancement over current gear, with critical updates to Thermal Protective Performance (TPP) and Total Heat Loss (THL), along with improved custom fit and design;
WHEREAS, beginning July 1, 2025, six selected firefighters will field-test custom-fit gear through summer, fall, and winter, completing the evaluation by January 31, 2026;
WHEREAS, this comprehensive testing will inform the PPE Committee’s final selection, after which the winning specifications will proceed to bid in February 2026;
WHEREAS, extending the purchase agreement will ensure uninterrupted access to requisite turnout gear throughout this transitional period, including turnout gear for recruit academies starting in January 2025 and January 2026 and any replacement turnout gear during this time;
WHEREAS, these improvements are essential to provide our firefighters with increased thermal protection and breathability, enhancing their ability to perform under extreme conditions and meeting NFPA Standard 1971;
WHEREAS, MGO 4.26(2) requires goods to be purchased using a competitive process approved by the Finance Director, and under the Finance Director’s Purchasing Guidelines, Common Council approval is required to purchase goods of $50,000 or more without a competitive process;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Common Council approves the purchase of Honeywell/Morning Pride firefighter turnout gear, as described above, until a new request for bid (RFB) process has been completed and a contract has been awarded in 2026;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Common Council authorizes a non-competitive purchasing contract with Jefferson Fire & Safety, Inc. for the purchase of firefighter turnout gear.