For City Council Meeting June 23, 2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Tanya Williams, City Manager
AUTHOR: Christopher P. Jensen, Fire Chief
Title
Request City Council to: (1) Approve a Purchase Order with Life-Assist for the Procurement of Medical Supplies and Equipment in an Annual Amount of $125,000 for four years with a one year extension; (2) Authorize the use of a Cooperative Master Purchasing Agreement via National Purchasing Partners (NPPGov), Contract No. PS25830; and (3) Authorize the City Manager, or Designee, to Execute all Necessary Documents Related to the Agreement.
(ACTION)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Approve a purchase order with Life-Assist, Inc. for the procurement of medical supplies and equipment in the annual amount of $125,000 for a not-to-exceed $625,000 for four years, with 1 one-year extension for a total of five years.
2. Authorize continued use of the cooperative purchasing agreement through its expiration date of November 19, 2030.
3. Approve participation in the NPPGov Master Price Agreement, Contract No. PS25830, and authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all necessary documents.
BACKGROUND
A significant number of Rialto Fire Department emergency calls for service involve the delivery of prehospital medical care. As part of the Department’s first responder and ambulance transport emergency medical services program, the Department purchases a wide variety of medical supplies, medications, and equipment to support ongoing field operations.
Staff has worked with Life-Assist, Inc. for many years and has been consistently satisfied with the quality of products, customer service, rapid shipping, and responsiveness to inventory issues that routinely arise on weekends and after business hours. Life-Assist also maintains a return policy that the Department finds to be convenient and fair.
An updated procurement contract is required at this time. To facilitate this process, the City Purchasing Division has recommended utilizing the National Purchasing Partners (NPPGov) cooperative purchasing agreement to maximize cost savings and procurement efficiency.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION
The City of Rialto Fire Department requests continued authorization to procure necessary medical supplies and equipment through Life-Assist under a cooperative purchasing agreement. The benefits of utilizing this cooperative purchasing program include reduced costs through bulk purchasing power and access to pre-established, competitively solicited pricing.
The updated League of Oregon Cities (LOC) Master Price Agreement, Contract No. PS25830, was executed in November 2025 and provides competitively solicited pricing for medical products, monitors, software, data transmission, and related services through National Purchasing Partners (NPPGov). The agreement allows participating governmental agencies to utilize the established pricing and procurement structure through November 19, 2030.
The agreement includes discounted pricing on medical supplies, pharmaceuticals, cardiac monitors, life support equipment, training products, and related EMS operational supplies utilized by the Fire Department. The cooperative purchasing structure meets the requirements outlined in Rialto Municipal Code Section 2.48.210, as confirmed by the Fire Chief and City Attorney.
The Fire Department is requesting authorization to continue utilizing Life-Assist for the procurement of medical supplies and equipment in the annual amount of $125,000 not-to-exceed $625,000 for the complete five-year term, to support ongoing EMS operations and emergency response readiness.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The proposed action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because it does not meet the definition of a “project” under CEQA Guidelines Section 15378. The purchase of medical supplies and EMS equipment constitutes an administrative activity involving the acquisition of supplies and equipment and does not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. Pursuant to Section 15378(b)(2), continuing administrative or maintenance activities, including the purchase of supplies and equipment, are not considered projects under CEQA. Additionally, Section 15378(b)(5) excludes organizational and administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct environmental impacts. As the acquisition of medical supplies does not involve construction, land use changes, or any commitment to a physical environmental modification, no further CEQA review is required.
GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY
Our City government will lead by example, and will operate in an open, transparent and responsive manner that meets the needs of the citizens and is a good place to do business. This action is also consistent with the following General Plan goal:
5-3.1: Provide for fire personnel, equipment and fire stations to have adequate and appropriate resources to meet the needs and serve all areas of Rialto.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney's Office has reviewed the staff report.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS
Operating Budget Impact
Funding in the amount of $125,000 has been included in the Fire Department’s FY 2026-27 Operating Budget, Account No. 10105175-52021, for the annual purchase of medical supplies and equipment.
Capital Improvement Budget Impact
There is no impact on the Capital Improvement Budget.
Licensing
This action does not require a business license.
ATTACHMENTS
1. NPPGov Master Price Agreement, Contract No. PS2583
2. Life-Assist Quote / Pricing Documentation