Item 28 - Agreements for Police Uniforms

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Police Uniforms, Accessories. and Miscellaneous Equipment December 2, 2025 Page 3 The Police Department's Central Distribution Center (CDC) provides uniforms and equipment to approximately 400 uniformed and field personnel. Uniforms and equipment, including body armor, help identify Department personnel by assigned duties, provide protection, and provide for a professional appearance. New officers and employees are initially issued a full uniform, which consists of a duty jacket, three shirts, two pants, leather gear, and a body armor vest (for field personnel). Thereafter, uniforms are replaced on an annual basis (as requested) and the replacement allowance consists of three shirts and two pants. Body armor is replaced every five years. Special units, such as SWAT, Mounted Patrol, and K9 are issued different uniforms specialized for each unit, but are replaced in a similar manner. In addition, the Planning and Building Agency purchases uniform items for their field staff members. Code Enforcement Associates and Officers are required to wear official City uniforms. The uniform identifies Associates/Officers as authorized City representatives while they enforce compliance with complex state and local codes including zoning, housing, dangerous buildings, and property maintenance standards. Visible identification is vital for maintaining public trust and safety as officers execute their technical duties across the community. New Officers/Associates are issued a list of approved uniform items for purchase per fiscal year. Building Inspectors must wear the official City uniform during all field operations to ensure immediate recognition and identify staff as City representatives while they conduct critical site inspections, plan checks, and testing on new and existing structures. This visibility is essential for efficiently upholding compliance with all local, state, and federal building codes, which reinforces public confidence in the City's commitment to safety and sustainability goals. New Inspectors are initially issued uniforms which include seven shirts, a jacket, a hard hat, and a safety vest. Thereafter, uniforms are replaced on an annual basis. The City Council last approved agreements with Galls, LLC ("Galls") and L.N. Curtis & Sons, Inc. dba Curtis Blue Line ("Curtis") on March 5, 2024 for a one-year term. Staff intended to initiate a Request for Proposal ("RFP") procurement process during the agreement period. Uniforms and body armor must be fitted to each employee, so a local vendor that can provide both the required items and the on -site alteration services is a necessity. However, there are only a few existing vendors that provide the wide range of law enforcement uniforms, accessories, miscellaneous equipment, and on -site alteration services within a 20 mile radius of the Police Department. Therefore, staff determined that conducting a RFP process would not result in different vendors or better pricing. Santa Ana Municipal Code, Section 2-807(d), authorizes the City to make non -bid purchases of services, supplies, materials, and equipment whenever it shall appear that there is only one reasonably available source. Staff researched available procurement