TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Greg Ruddy, Director of Public Works
SUBJECT:
title
Approval of Purchase of One (1) HazMat Specific Truck Assembly from Marshall Chevrolet for the Fire Department Haz-Mat Team in an Amount not to Exceed $86,000.00
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BACKGROUND:
The purchase of one (1) new emergency response Haz-Mat vehicle was included in the 2024 budget. The purchase was not completed in 2024 and was carried forward as part of 2025 budget.
A team selected from experienced Joliet Fire Department Haz-Mat team members and Fleet Services staff reviewed several designs to serve as a model vehicle for future City special response teams.
Once designed, one provider stood above the rest with regard to modular design, weight restrictions, and ease of use. Special consideration was taken for the number of team members to be transported and the weight of the material to be transported. Once obtained, some minor upfitting (lighting, storage units, etc.) will be added to the unit by City staff to complete the process.
The Public Service Committee will review this matter.
CONCLUSION:
A Chevrolet Low Cab Forward commercial crew chassis was selected as the vehicle of choice. This vehicle will be outfitted with a Knapheide body to provide all weather protection. The Knapheide body can be purchased under government contracts while the chassis can only be provided by a limited number of commercial outlets. The typical GM dealerships that the City seeks quotes for vehicles from are not authorized to sell these units. Attempts were made both to order the unit (unavailable) and also purchase it directly from Sourcewell (unavailable). These attempts were unsuccessful.
Fleet Services was able to locate an available unit that meets the required specifications and secure preferred government pricing for both the chassis and body by purchasing as a packaged vehicle from Marshall Chevrolet in Winchester, Illinois.
Upon receipt of the vehicle minor items such as light...
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