TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Beth Beatty, City Manager
SUBJECT:
title
Request for Approval to Purchase a Lenco Bearcat G3 for $403,867.00
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BACKGROUND:
The Police Department is requesting authorization to purchase a Lenco Bearcat G3 for the Special Operations Squad (SOS). SOS is currently utilizing a 20-year-old Bearcat that is on loan from Illinois Law Enforcement Alarm System (ILEAS). JPD is responsible for maintaining the Bearcat and paying for the increasing cost of repairing its mechanical issues. JPD’s use of the Bearcat could be rescinded by ILEAS at any point, leaving JPD without this crucial piece of life-saving equipment. SOS relies heavily on the Bearcat during responses to all high-risk situations, including serving high-risk warrants, responding to armed barricaded suspects, potential hostage situations, active shooter scenarios, and supporting JPD’s Quick Reaction Force during protests and major events. A second armored vehicle would decrease response time and increase officer safety throughout the City as one Bearcat could be stationed centralized and the other would remain at the West Station. This will also allow SOS to respond quickly to incidents occurring within the 66-mile radius of Joliet and throughout the surrounding communities we provide services to and would also provide more ballistic protection for the SOS team and the citizens we serve. This item was reviewed at the Public Safety Committee Meeting held on October 1, 2024 and recommended to the full Council for approval.
CONCLUSION:
The cost to purchase the new Lenco Bearcat G3 will be $403,867.00. Competitive bidding is not possible for this purchase due to the unique nature and capabilities of the vehicle. The Lenco Bearcat G3 will be funded by (Org: 22060020, Object: 557500).
In accordance with Section 2-438 of the City of Joliet Code of Ordinances which 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. Three of these circumstances apply:
(a) Purchases which may only be practicably made from a single source.
(c) Purchases of equipment which, by reason of training of city personnel or an inventory of replacement parts maintained by the city, are compatible with the existing equipment owned by the city.
(f) Purchases when authorized by a concurring vote of two-thirds (⅔) of the Mayor and City Council.
Lenco is a single-source provider of the above-described item.
The Lenco Bearcat G3 is essential to the daily operations of the Joliet Police Department and overall to the safety of the citizens of Joliet.
There are currently funds available from Org Code: 22060020, Object Code: 557500
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Based on the above, it is recommended that the Mayor and City Council authorize the purchase of the above-listed Lenco Bearcat G3 in the amount of $403,867.00 from Lenco Industries Inc, 10 Betnr Industrial Drive, Pittsfield, MA 01201.
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