From
Fred Bates, Jr.
Title
Purchase of one 2015 24-foot “Justice by Boston Whaler” boat, for the Police Department’s Lake Patrol Unit, from “Brunswick Commercial and Government Products, Inc.,” in the amount of $133,078, through an Inter-Local agreement with the Government Services Administration (GSA)
Presenter
Chief Steve Dye, Police Department
Recommended Action
Approve
Analysis
The Grand Prairie Police Department’s Lake Patrol Unit primarily services Joe Pool Lake and the immediate area surrounding this increasingly growing tourist and recreational attraction. In 2014, the Lake Patrol Unit made 573 Boating Contacts, assisted 181 Distressed Boaters, investigated eleven (11) Boating Accidents, and conducted five (5) Water Rescues.
Currently, the Lake Patrol Unit utilizes a 2006 "Low Funwale" outboard boat, which has become unsuitable for lake patrol operations. The proposed 2015 Justice by Boston Whaler boat was selected after comparing the boats of other police marine patrol units in the State of Texas. The Justice by Boston Whaler boat will enhance the visibility and enforcement capability of the GPPD Lake Patrol Unit and increase the level of officer safety while in operation. In addition, this boat will increase the Department's overall development of its Community Policing goals on Joe Pool Lake as it more approachable on the water. Finally, the Justice by Boston Whaler will double the current dive boat capabilities of the GPPD/GPFD Unified Dive Team, which currently services Joe Pool Lake with rescues, searches, and recoveries.
State purchasing law, Local Government Code Chapter 271.02, authorizes local governments to enter into joint contracts and cooperative purchasing agreements for the performance of government functions normally associated with the operation of government, such as purchasing of necessary materials, services and supplies. The Federal Property and Administrative Services Act was amended by Section 211 of the E-Government Act of 2002 to allow for Cooperative Purchasing. Federal Cooperative Purchasing allows for the Administrator of General Services to provide states and localities access to certain items offered through specific General Services Administration (GSA) contracts.
The Public Safety, Health and Environmental Committee reviewed this item on November 2, 2015 and recommended that it be forwarded to the City Council for approval.
The Finance and Government Committee reviewed this item on November 3, 2015 and recommended that it be forwarded to the City Council for approval.
Financial Consideration
Funding in the amount of $150,000 for the purchase of a new boat and related boat equipment for the Police Department’s Lake Patrol Unit is available in the Police Capital Projects Fund (401091), WO #01604003 (Boat and Related Equipment for Lake Unit) 68360 (Other Equipment).