To approve an expenditure for the purchase of replacement soft armor and the MOLLE flaps for 39 vests, and pistol/rifle magazine pouches in the estimated amount of $79,892 from TYR Tactical, LLC for the Police Department; and authorizing the City Manager to execute all necessary documents. Approved

The Plano Police Department (PPD) purchased the current soft armor for the Emergency Services Unit (ESU) in September 2016, and the soft armor is due for replacement in 2021.  The current soft armor consists of the following:

            Ballistic LVL 3A insert for vest

            External ballistic LVL 3A cummerbund

            Ballistic LVL 3A lower abdomen platform

            Ballistic LVL 3A lower back platform

            Ballistic LVL 3A groin platform

            Ballistic LVL 3A Bicep/Deltoid Upper Arm Protection

            Ballistic LVL 3A Collar

Per the manufacturer, the life span for the soft armor associated with the vests is good for 5 years.  The ballistic plates have a life span of 10 years.  We have inspected the current carriers and have determined they would not need to be replaced and should last 10 years, along with the hard plates.

The replacement of the soft armor will be for the current ESU issued TYR Tactical Vests, to include 24 SWAT, 10 Tactical Medics, 3 K9, and 2 ESU EOD vests, for a total of 39 vests. The purchase includes all the above soft armor, except, due to a majority of SWAT, Medics and K9 officers not wanting to use the Ballistic LVL 3A collar due to functionality, this piece would only be ordered for the individuals that stated they wanted it and use it. 

In addition to the soft armor, PPD would like to purchase pistol and rifle magazine pouches and MOLLE front flaps.  Most of the SWAT operators have been using their personal pistol and rifle magazines on their SWAT vests.  We have attempted to minimize this costs by asking each person how many pistol and rifle magazines they are currently using, as opposed to ordering a set number of each.  This reduces the cost as there is no waste in the purchase.  The MOLLE flap replaces the current MOLLE flap.  This is the area on the vest that secures the cummerbund to the front of the vest and sees the most wear as this must be un-velcroed to put on and take off the vest.  The Velcro on many of the vests is starting to deteriorate due to the use, and this a cost effective way to extend the life of the vest.

It is the recommendation of the Police Department to purchase the replacement soft armor and the MOLLE flaps for 39 vests, and the pistol/rifle magazine pouches from TYR Tactical, LLC in the estimated amount of $79,892. 

Failure to approve this purchase will result in the soft armor of the TYR vests being worn by the ESU personnel to be out of date, and while extending the life span of our current vests.

This item approves the purchase of replacement soft armor and MOLLE flaps, as well as pistol/rifle magazines. The total estimated amount to be spent is $79,892; a portion of that total equaling $79,385 will be spent from the Police Equipment Replacement Fund and the remaining balance of $507, for freight charges, will be made within the Police Department's approved operating budget appropriations.

Approval of this item will support the City's Strategic Plan Critical Success Factors of being an Excellent, Innovative, and Accountable City Government with Safe, Vibrant Neighborhoods.

This item approves the purchase of replacement soft armor and MOLLE flaps, as well as pistol/rifle magazines. The total estimated amount to be spent is $79,892; a portion of that total equaling $79,385 will be spent from the Police Equipment Replacement Fund and the remaining balance of $507, for freight charges, will be made within the Police Department's approved operating budget appropriations.

Approval of this item will support the City's Strategic Plan Critical Success Factors of being an Excellent, Innovative, and Accountable City Government with Safe, Vibrant Neighborhoods.