For City Council Meeting on September 10, 2024
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: G. Michael Milhiser, Interim City Manager
AUTHOR: Mark P. Kling, Chief of Police
Title
Request to City Council to 1) Authorize the Purchase of a Bearcat G3 Armored Rescue Vehicle from Lenco Industries for a Total Cost of $435,440.46; and 2) Authorize the Interim City Manager, or his Designee to Execute All Documents.
(ACTION)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1) Approve the purchase of a BearCat G3 Armored Rescue Vehicle from Lenco Industries at a cost of $435,440.46, and
2) Authorize the Interim City Manager or designee to execute all documents.
BACKGROUND
The Lenco BearCat, short for Ballistic Engineered Armored Response Counter Attack Truck, represents a critical advancement in law enforcement and tactical response capabilities. The current Rialto Police Department BearCat was purchased in 2007. It has been utilized on countless tactical operations including barricaded suspects, homicide suspects, search warrant services and tactical rescues; furthermore, it has been a part of the Rialto Police Department SWAT team as well as the current regionalized Inland Valley SWAT team. The Inland Valley SWAT team, which is comprised of Fontana, Colton and Rialto Police Departments, exclusively utilizes the Lenco BearCat for armored vehicle needs.
The Inland Valley SWAT team has been involved in numerous incidents throughout the region where the BearCat has been utilized, the most notable being the 2015 Inland Regional Center (IRC) Terrorist attack. During this incident the Rialto Police Department Bearcat was one of the first armored vehicles on scene and immediately provided safety coverage in removing and transporting numerous critically wounded victims from the IRC to nearby triage points, saving numerous innocent lives. The BearCat was also used to provide safety coverage to our officers in the apprehension of the IRC suspects, and clearing and securing the involved vehicle.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION
Unfortunately, time has taken its toll on the current BearCat and in the last 17 years despite the upkeep and maintenance, it is in need of several costly upgrades and services. The layout and configuration of our current Bearcat are outdated. This early model BearCat has very low ground clearance making navigation of off-road terrain difficult, as well as maneuvering over common sidewalk curbs. In addition, the current turret provides little to no coverage on operations and obstructs the officer’s ability to effectively provide safe tactical coverage from an elevated position. The current exterior railings and platforms used to transport officers on the outside of the vehicle are now considered too narrow and provide an unstable platform for tactical officers and their equipment.
The Lenco BearCat G3 is the premier tactical armored vehicle that was designed to meet the combined requirements of SWAT and tactical EMS teams.
• All Steel Armor Construction
• High Ballistic Protection
• V8 Engine and 4WD capabilities
• Commonality of parts with other BearCat variants
• Fully configurable to a wide array of BearCat variants
The purchase of the BearCat G3 would solve all the current issues we have with our old BearCat. The Rialto Police Department would be able to continue using this life saving equipment in the event of an active shooter, mass casualty incident, natural disaster or any other event that requires this level of life saving measures. The BearCat G3 can also be used to assist triage centers and other natural disasters where ambulances or other medical personnel would be limited in their ability to go over rough terrain (such as the Santa Ana River Bed for high water rescues) or damaged roads, as the BearCat G3 is four-wheel drive. The enhanced capabilities of the BearCat G3 in the city as well as surrounding counties will undoubtedly save lives and further protect the community.
The standardization of the Inland Valley SWAT team with Lenco BearCat vehicles rather than purchasing different armored vehicles provides significant advantages in terms of operational consistency, training efficiency, maintenance, safety, and public perception. The uniformity offered by the BearCat enhances coordination, simplifies logistics, and ensures that all team members are equally equipped and trained, ultimately leading to more effective and reliable operations.
The General Services Admission Federal Supply Service (G.S.A.) awarded Lenco Industries the contract (GS-07F-169DA) on May 1, 2024, and is valid through August of 2026. The Rialto Police Department can avail (piggyback) themselves of this agreement which allows our department to purchase vehicles from this business under contract pricing. This will save the City of Rialto the cost of the bid process, formal or informal, and allow us to take advantage of current pricing, as well as a volume discount afforded through the Lenco Industries G.S.A. proposal agreement.
California Government Code 7072(a) requires law enforcement agencies to submit an annual “Military Equipment Report” for approval. Future purchases of military equipment are required to be outlined in the report. The 2023 annual military report approved by City Council on February 13, 2024, forecasted the purchase of a Lenco BearCat G3 during the 2024 calendar year.
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 has outlined key goals and objects relating to public safety. The approval of this purchase is consistent with meeting these objectives.
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 staff report.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Operating Budget Impact
This purchase does not impact the city’s operating budget.
Capital Improvement Budget Impact
Funding is available for the purchase of a BearCat G3 Armored Rescue Vehicle from Lenco Industries, Inc., for the total purchase price of $435,400.46 in Fund 2214.
Per Rialto Municipal Code Section: 2.48.145, a vendor disclosure form is attached.
Licensing
This action does not trigger a requirement for a business license.