ORD-2011-032 Purchase of Three Ambulances and Approval of Budget Amendment #2-C

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the state or; (3) any other state or agency or political subdivision of-that state, if the contractor is willing to extend the same or more favorable price and other terms to the local government. Staff recommends using the existing bid from which the original four (4) ambulances were purchased. The newly-designed units have proven to be very safe and effective vehicles in regards to the original decision points (below) used to develop specification criteria when purchasing-the original new fleet additions in 2010. During the first six months of service, the newly-designed units have had a lower cost per mile than the first six months of service of the older fleet (Ford F-450) ambulances. The following decision points-were considered: • All ambulance purchases would conform to 2010 emissions standards leading to decreased greenhouse gas emissions; • Ambulances will be purchased with medium duty chassis and drive trains to increase service uptime; • Medium Duty drive-trains are more capable of handling on scene idling, have stronger braking, cooling and suspension components and are critical for a system such as Orange County with increasing call volume; • Purchases will demonstrate a continued focus on crew and patient safety; and • The new ambulances would be capable of operating on a diesel fuel blend of up to twenty percent bio-diesel (B-20). The three (3) units will incorporate technology improvements that staff is currently implementing in the current fleet related to response improvements using. Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL), which allows E911 communicators to dispatch the closest unit resulting in decreased response times, reduced fuel consumption and faster patient access and-care. The goal of this purchase is to create a turnkey solution allowing the new ambulances to be received by Orange County ready for immediate service. This purchase includes key pieces of equipment in addition to the ambulance. The radio system will be purchased, programmed, and drop-shipped to the ambulance manufacturer. Stretchers and stair chairs are both critical equipment assisting crews in the safe lifting and moving patients over varied terrain and in different types of structures. All of this equipment is specified to match the existing fleet and three new ambulances approved in 2010 with the addition of hardware to run AVL. FINANCIAL IMPACT: The financial impact of purchasing three ambulances is $685,057 including taxes, titles and fees. The purchase of the ambulances will be financed with an installment note in the amount of $574,484 ($531,600 was approved in the FY 2011-12 General Fund Budget), and the balance of $110,573 will be paid from insurance proceeds received from the wheeled coach ambulance taken out of service due to an accident in FY 2010-11. Approval of Budget Amendment # 2-C'for $42,884 will be required to fund the additional financing.