TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Greg Ruddy, Director of Public Works
SUBJECT:
title
Approval of Purchase of Traffic Barriers from Meridian Rapid Defense Group Sales LLC in the Amount of $126,344.06
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BACKGROUND:
There has been a nationwide increase in vehicular assaults at public gatherings. To increase safety, the Department of Public Works, in conjunction with JPD and Emergency Services evaluated several roadway barriers that can be deployed for public events within the City. The barrier system produced by Meridian Rapid Defense Group LLC was chosen as the best option for the City. The 2026 budget includes funding for the purchase of a roadway barriers system.
The Public Service Committee will review this matter.
CONCLUSION:
Meridian Rapid Defense Group LLC is the sole source supplier for this equipment. The pricing for this product is included in the United States General Services Administration (US GSA) Cooperative Purchasing Program.
This product was rented and tested for the Mexican Independence Day Parade in the fall of 2025. The Joliet Police Department and the Department of Public Works were extremely satisfied with the ease of deployment and the performance of this product. This purchase includes a barrier starter kit with a trailer that will meet the City of Joliet’s needs for smaller events planned in 2026. Additional barriers for larger events can be rented or purchased as necessary in the future.
The usage of this equipment is covered under The Safety Act.
THE SAFETY ACT: MERIDIAN Technology, equipment, and solutions including training, site surveys, installation and deployment services, technical documentation, manuals, and technical specifications are also Certified by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as Qualified Anti-Terrorism Technology (“QATT”) under The SAFETY Act. With this Certification all users of MERIDIAN are indemnified by the federal government from claims or damages arising out of any act of terrorism. For purchasers, this means substantial reductions or elimination of possible liabilities relating to their purchasing orders.
Section 2-438 of the City of Joliet Code of Ordinances states that purchases whose estimated cost is in excess of twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000.00) may be awarded without written specifications or bidding under certain circumstances. Two (2) of these circumstances apply:
(a) Purchases which may only be practically made from a single source.
(f) Purchases when authorized by a concurring vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the Mayor and City Council.
Sufficient funds are available for this purchase in the Public Works / Roadways Capital Fund (Org 30090290, Object 557500, $126,344.06).
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Based upon the above, it is recommended that the Mayor and City Council approve the purchase One (1) Merdian Barrier Deployment Kit from Meridian Rapid Defense Group LLC, in the amount of $126,344.06.
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