Item - 2021.GL24.11

The General Government and Licensing Committee recommends that:  

1. City Council authorize the Fire Chief and General Manager, Toronto Fire Services to negotiate and enter into a non-competitive agreement with Safetek Emergency Vehicles, for the supply and delivery of two (2) 105 foot rear-mounted aerial devices on the following terms and conditions:

a. the initial term of the contract will be for one (1) year, commencing on July 19, 2021 to July 18, 2022, with the option to renew the contract for two (2) additional separate one (1) year terms for the purchase of up to two (2) additional 105 foot rear-mounted aerial devices during each option year, subject to the exercise of each option term at the sole discretion of the Fire Chief and General Manager, Toronto Fire Services, with subsequent years' funding requirements to be included in the future years' Capital Budget Submissions for Toronto Fire Services, as may be required with  the amount of this non-competitive agreement  being $9,544,995 net of Harmonized Sales Tax ($9,712,987 net of Harmonized Sales Tax recoveries) for the entire duration of the contract, inclusive of all option renewal terms; and

b. conditional upon terms and conditions that are satisfactory to the Fire Chief and General Manager, Toronto Fire Services and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor.

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 new non-competitive agreement with Safetek Emergency Vehicles Incorporated, for the supply and delivery of 105 foot rear-mounted aerial apparatus for one year, plus two (2) one year options in the amount of $9,544,995 net of Harmonized Sales Tax ($9,712,987 net of Harmonized Sales Tax recoveries). This purchase will assist Toronto Fire Services ensure the division's operational readiness to respond to emergency and critical incidents throughout Toronto, specifically with elevated water application and rescue incidents.

The 105 foot rear-mounted aerial apparatus is a standard tandem axle hydraulically operated ladder device used for municipal firefighting and emergency responses. Toronto Fire Services currently utilizes thirty five (35) Spartan/Smeal aerial apparatus in front line and spare functions. Toronto Fire Services is seeking a non-competitive contract for these apparatus for a number of reasons, with the main reason being to match with the existing unit inventory.  Purchasing an apparatus model that matches existing in-service units will significantly reduce staff training requirements for both operational firefighters qualified to use the equipment, and Mechanical Division staff already trained to maintain them. Toronto Fire Services already stock proprietary repair parts for this product. Additionally, this brand has a local dealer/repair facility, which means warranty service and parts necessary for repairs or replacement are easier to access.

This report also seeks to inform City Council of two emergency non-competitive contracts that Toronto Fire Services has entered into for the purchase of two separate Aerial units for the combined amount of $2,863,933 net of Harmonized Sales Tax ($2,914,338 net of Harmonized Sales Tax Recoveries). Purchase Order Number 6052083 (Non-Competitive Procurement Number11706) with Fort Garry Fire Trucks in the amount of $1,595,000 net of Harmonized Sales Tax and Purchase Order Number 6052084 (Non-Competitive Procurement Number 11715) with Safetek Emergency Vehicles Limited, in the amount of $1,268,933 net of Harmonized Sales Tax.

Toronto Fire Services significantly lacks aerial units due to frame corrosion issues, supply chain problems (reflecting delays in an existing order due to COVID), the long lead time for this type of purchase, and recent accident damage. Purchasing the quint aerial demonstrator units, which have already been built, will help bridge the gap between ordering these trucks and actual delivery, keeping these units in place for emergency response.

In order to ensure that Toronto Fire Services could meet the vehicle demand required to respond to emergencies, Toronto Fire Services needed to purchase two separate demonstrator model aerial trucks ahead of the longer term contract, which is recommended in this report. Section 195-7.4B of Chapter 195, Purchasing By-Law, which requires that any emergency, non-competitive bid over $500,000 be reported to Council for information.