Item - 2020.GL15.8

The General Government and Licensing Committee recommends that:  

1. City Council authorize the Fire Chief and General Manager, Toronto Fire Services to negotiate and execute a non-competitive contract with Darch Fire Incorporated for two specialized aerial devices in the amount of $5,264,158 net of Harmonized Sales Tax ($5,356,807 net of Harmonized Sales Tax recoveries), on the terms and conditions satisfactory to the Fire Chief and General Manager, Toronto Fire Services, and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor, which include:

a. the supply, delivery, and initial staff training of a 41 metre Bronto Skylift model F135RLX telescopic articulating aerial device in the amount of $2,396,191 net of Harmonized Sales Tax ($2,438,364 net of Harmonized Sales Tax recoveries); and

b. the supply, delivery, and training of a 70 metre Bronto Skylift Model F70RPX mounted on a two-person conventional cab truck chassis, including mounted main body, related supplies, staff training equipment, and travel costs incurred in the design and inspection phases of the purchase, in the amount of $2,867,967, net of Harmonized Sales Tax ($2,918,443, net of Harmonized Sales Tax recoveries).

The purpose of this report is to seek City Council authority for the Fire Chief and General Manager, Toronto Fire Services to negotiate and enter into a non-competitive contract with Darch Fire Incorporated, for the supply and delivery of two aerial devices for a total amount of $5,264,158 net of HST, ($5,356,807 net of HST recoveries). This purchase will assist Toronto Fire Services in ensuring operational readiness to respond to emergency and critical incidents throughout Toronto, specifically with high rise and high angle incidents. 

Toronto Fire Services is seeking a non-competitive contract for these apparatus for a number of operational reasons, with the main being matching with existing purchases. Purchasing a model that matches existing ones in service at Toronto Fire Services will significantly reduce training required for staff. Toronto Fire Services already owns three articulating aerial apparatus from this vendor and therefore both operational staff and mechanical staff are trained and familiar with them. Additionally, this brand has a local dealer which means that parts necessary for repairs or replacement are easier to access.

City Council approval is required in accordance with Municipal Code Chapter 195, Purchasing, where the current request exceeds the Chief Purchasing Officer's authority of the cumulative five year commitment limit for each vendor under Article 7, Section 195-7.3(D) of the Purchasing By-law or exceeds the threshold of $500,000 net of Harmonized Sales Tax allowed under staff authority as per the Toronto Municipal Code, Chapter 71, Financial Control, Section 71-11a.