HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 23 - Ballistic Helmets, Ballistic Plates, and Plate Carriers Police Department
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Item # 23
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Staff Report
May 5, 2026
TOPIC: Ballistic Helmets, Ballistic Plates, and Plate Carriers
AGENDA TITLE
Purchase Order to Sarkar Tactical, Inc. for Ballistic Helmets, Ballistic Plates, and Plate
Carriers (Specification No. 26-007A) and Appropriation Adjustment (Non-General Fund
— U.S. Dept. of Justice)
RECOMMENDED ACTION
1. Authorize a Purchase Order to Sarkar Tactical, Inc. for ballistic helmets, ballistic
plates, and plate carriers in an amount not to exceed $395,218.
2. Approve an appropriation adjustment to recognize $345,960 of prior-year fund
balance in the U.S. Department of Justice Asset Forfeiture Funds and
appropriate same to the Miscellaneous Operating Expenses expenditure
account. (Requires five affirmative votes)
GOVERNMENT CODE 484308 APPLIES: No
DISCUSSION
Ballistic protective gear is essential for ensuring officer safety in an environment where
threats involving firearms and other deadly weapons are increasingly prevalent. Police
personnel are routinely exposed to unpredictable and rapidly evolving situations,
including armed confrontations, high-risk stops, warrant services, active threat incidents,
and mobile field force applications. The use of ballistic vests, helmets, and shields
significantly reduces the risk of serious injury or death.
Currently the Santa Ana Police Department issues concealable body armor capable of
stopping most commercially manufactured hand gun ammunition. While this body
armor is adequate for the majority of incidents, it does not provide adequate ballistic
protection against incidents involving high powered rifles.
On November 20, 2018, the City Council authorized the purchase of 311 ballistic plates
and plate carriers. These plates and plate carriers, issued to every sworn member,
were certified by the National Institute of Justice to stop bullets fired from most
rifles. This inventory has since been depleted. Additionally, the existing plates that
Ballistic Helmets, Ballistic Plates, and Plate Carriers
May 5, 2026
Page 2
have been issued are no longer under warranty and have reached their guaranteed life
span. The plate carriers are experiencing wear and tear after being issued for over five
years.
The existing ballistic plates are made of steel. In replacing the body armor for sworn
members, the department determined light weight polyethylene ballistic plates and the
compatible plate carriers would offer the same level of protection. This will help mitigate
fatigue and injury, as the most common injuries with heavier plates include neck,
shoulder, hips, and back ailments.
Invitation for Bids (IFB) no. 26-007A was issued on January 15, 2026 on the City's
online bid management and publication system. A summary of vendor participation and
results is as follows:
445 Vendors notified
3 Santa Ana vendors notified
54 Vendors downloaded the bid packet
17 Responsive Bids received
0 Responsive Bids received from Santa Ana vendors
Bids were solicited, opened on February 5, 2026, and evaluated (Exhibit 1). Seventeen
bids were submitted by the IFB deadline and were determined to be responsive to the
specifications and met the City's requirements. The bid submitted by Sakar Tactical,
Inc. was determined to be the lowest responsible bid, was responsive to the
specifications, and meets the City's requirements.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
There is no environmental impact associated with this action.
FISCAL IMPACT
Upon approval of the appropriation adjustment, funds will be available in the following
accounts for the specified year:
Fiscal Account Unit— Fund Accounting Unit, Amount
Year Account # Description Account Description
FY 25-26 16614450-63001 US Dept of Misc. Operating $395,218
Justice AFF Expenses
Total $395,218
Ballistic Helmets, Ballistic Plates, and Plate Carriers
May 5, 2026
Page 3
EXHIBIT(S)
1. Abstract of Bids (26-007A)
Submitted By: Robert Rodriguez, Police Chief
Approved By: Alvaro Nunez, City Manager
EXHIBIT 1
ABSTRACT OF BIDS
Ballistic Helmets, Ballistic Plates And Plate Carriers (IFB No. 26-007A)
BIDDER LOCATION TOTAL
Sarkar Tactical, Inc. El Paso, TX $361,755.00
Bunker Uniforms & Equipment Richland, WA $385,424.00
Victory Tactical Gear San Ramon, CA $389,989.50
Botach Inc. Las Vegas, NV $425,200.00
FSOLLC El Segundo, CA $472,810.00
Dana Safety Supply Inc. Canoga Pak, CA $474,263.90
Vantage Armor, LLC Salem, NH $499,532.00
L.N. Curtis and Sons Walnut Creek, CA $543,583.70
Paladin Defense Services LLC Nicholasville, KY $685,348.60
Blue Heron Tactical Supply LLC Mt. Pleasant, SC $693,950.00
TYR Tactical, LLC Peoria, AZ $740,504.50
Adamson Police Products Los Alamitos, CA $851,480.00
Proforce Marketing Inc. Prescott, AZ $865,673.70
MES Service Company, LLC Sandy Hook, CT $881,084.00
Galls, LLC Lexington, KY $884,317.00
Ballistic Armor LLC White City, OR $1,079,940.00
Blue Angel International LLC Berkeley, CA $1,091,486.10
*Bid Total does not include shipping costs or tax