For City Council Meeting March 24, 2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Tanya Williams, City Manager
AUTHOR: Mark P. Kling, Chief of Police
Title
Request City Council to Approve: (1) The Purchase of Sixty-Eight (68) Tiffin Airflow Sentinel Wardrobe Lockers to Include Installation from Smart Space Solutions in the Amount of $255,403.17; and (2) Authorize the City Manager, or Designee, to Execute any, and all, Documents.
(ACTION)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council:
(1) Approve the purchase of sixty-eight (68) Tiffin Airflow Sentinel Wardrobe lockers from Smart Space Solutions in the Amount of $255,403.17; and
(2) Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute any and all documents.
BACKGROUND
The City of Rialto is finalizing construction of its new police station, which was publicly advertised through a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) process and awarded to Griffin Swinerton. As part of the overall scope of that contract, the locker room facility build-out was subcontracted by Griffin Swinerton to Smart Space Solutions. The facility was designed to meet the operational needs of sworn and professional staff personnel, and as part of the original build-out, Tiffin Airflow Sentinel Wardrobe Lockers were selected and installed based on their heavy-duty construction, proprietary ventilation system, and public safety-specific configuration.
The locker room has already been outfitted with Tiffin Airflow Sentinel Wardrobe Lockers under the original RFP awarded to Griffin Swinerton, through its subcontractor Smart Space Solutions. Due to increased staffing levels and operational requirements, additional lockers are now required to complete the facility.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION
Tiffin Airflow Sentinel Wardrobe Lockers are engineered to promote continuous airflow, allowing uniforms, footwear, and gear exposed to field conditions to properly dry and ventilate. Each unit includes a dedicated body armor compartment, integrated hooks and shelving, and a secure lockable section for organized storage of duty equipment. An optional base drawer provides additional capacity and seating for equipment bags. The structural design, airflow system, and internal configuration are proprietary and specifically developed to support durability, hygiene, and operational efficiency in public safety environments.
The locker room has already been outfitted with Tiffin Airflow Wardrobe Lockers under the original RFP awarded to Griffin Swinerton, through its subcontractor Smart Space Solutions, an authorized dealer of Tiffin products manufactured by Tiffin Metal Products Co., Inc. Due to staffing levels and operational requirements, additional lockers are now required to complete the facility. Procuring a different manufacturer or model would create inconsistencies in appearance, layout, anchoring systems, and structural configuration. It would likely require modifications to the existing installation, increase project costs, and disrupt maintenance standardization and parts compatibility. Maintaining uniformity is essential to preserving the facility’s design integrity and long-term operational efficiency.
The Tiffin Airflow Sentinel Wardrobe Locker is manufactured exclusively by Tiffin Metal Products Co., Inc. and is available only directly from the manufacturer or its authorized distributor. The proprietary airflow design and configuration are not produced by other companies, and no alternative vendor in the region is authorized to supply this specific product. The total cost for the purchase and installation of the additional lockers is $255,403.17.
Staff coordinated with City Procurement and identified Smart Space Solutions as a sole-source vendor pursuant to Rialto Municipal Code § 2.48.280. The lockers are proprietary and are required to maintain consistency within the newly constructed facility. Conducting a competitive bidding process would not produce a product compatible with the existing installation without compromising uniformity, operational functionality, or overall facility integrity. Utilizing the same vendor also ensures operational consistency, supports standardized maintenance practices, and avoids unnecessary costs associated with incompatible equipment.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The proposed action does not meet the definition of a project as defined by Section 15378 California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). A “Project” means the whole of an action, which has a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment, and excludes the following:
1) Continuing administrative or maintenance activities, such as purchases for supplies, personnel-related actions, general policy and procedure making.
2) Organizational or administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment.
GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY
The City of Rialto’s General Plan has outlined guiding principles and goals relating to public safety. This action is consistent with the City of Rialto’s General Plan Guiding Principle 1, “Rialto is a Family First Community.”
Our neighborhoods will be a safe place to call home.
Approval of this action is also consistent with the City of Rialto General Plan Goal:
Goal 5-8: Provide effective and comprehensive policing services that meet the safety needs of Rialto.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney's Office has reviewed the agreement and approved it as to form.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS
Operating Budget Impact
There is no impact on the Operating Budget.
Capital Improvement Budget Impact
Budget is available in FY26/27 COPS Annual Allocation Fund Account No. 22146994 53030 for the Tiffin Airflow Sentinel Wardrobe Lockers, for the purchase amount of $255,403.17. No new appropriation is required.
Licensing
This action does not require a business license.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Smart Space Quote
2. Smart Space Sole Source
3. Smart Space W9
4. Vendor Demographics Form
5. Conflict of Interest Form