Exhibit 1 - Agenda Information SheetCity of Denton
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AGENDA INFORMATION SHEET
DEPARTMENT: Procurment & Compliance
ACM: David Gaines
DATE: May 18, 2021
SUBJECT
Consider adoption of an ordinance of the City of Denton, a Texas home-rule municipal corporation,
authorizing the City Manager, or their designee, to execute a contract with Fisher Scientific Company, LLC,
through the Houston-Galveston Area Council of Governments (H-GAC) Cooperative Purchasing Program
Contract Number EP11-20, for the purchase of one (1) handheld device that identifies chemical and
explosive materials (Gemini Raman and Fourier Transform Infrared Chemical Analyzer) for the Fire
Department; and providing an effective date (File 7680 – awarded to Fisher Scientific Company, LLC, in
the not-to-exceed amount of $105,742.00).
INFORMATION/BACKGROUND
As part of the Department of Homeland Security’s Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI), the Denton Fire
Department (DFD) Bomb Squad is part of a Type One Regional Response Team that covers 11 counties.
When responding to an incident, DFD is expected to bring all necessary equipment, including a chemical
analyzer, which is a handheld device used to identify unknown solids and liquid chemicals, and explosives.
To increase public safety, a chemical identifier of up-to-date technology is needed to replace the current
equipment.
The Department of Homeland Security recently awarded the City of Denton with the 2020 UASI
Specialized Regional Response Teams Sustainment Grant. The goal of this funding is to implement
investments that build, sustain, and deliver the 32 core capabilities essential to achieving the National
Preparedness Goal of a secure and resilient Nation. Thus, the award of this grant has initiated the ability to
replace the existing outdated equipment.
Currently, the DFD uses two instruments to aid in the identification of unknown materials. Both instruments
are becoming more and more difficult to keep in a state of readiness due to continued repairs and
maintenance. Replacing both instruments separately would have a greater cost than purchasing the Fisher
Scientific Gemini, which combines the two technologies into one smaller piece of equipment.
The Fisher Scientific Gemini device is currently being used in the field by local, state, and federal agencies
along with the military to analyze unknown materials. There has been very little negative feedback
regarding its functionality and operations.
• Grant funds have been awarded for the purpose of sustaining critical prevention and protection
during high-threat public situations.
City Hall
215 E. McKinney Street
Denton, Texas
www.cityofdenton.com
• Acquiring the Gemini chemical analyzer will enhance public safety during emergency
responses.
• The Gemini chemical analyzer is smaller than the current equipment, uses two different
technologies with only one piece of equipment, and costs less than purchasing two separate
machines to achieve the same goal.
• Due to the smaller size of the instrument, the Gemini can be utilized away from the apparatus.
This will allow for a safe analysis of unknown material away from the apparatus, unlike the
current process in which the unknown materials are brought to the apparatus due to the size and
number of instruments.
Once the chemical analyzer is acquired, a Fisher Scientific representative will conduct in-house training for
the appropriate personnel. Once training is completed, the new instrument will be placed on a front-line
apparatus for immediate use.
Pricing obtained through the H-GAC Cooperative Purchasing Network has been competitively bid and
meets the statutory requirements of Texas Local Government Code 271.102.
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
On June 6, 1995, Council approved the interlocal agreement with the H-GAC Cooperative Purchasing
Network (Ordinance 1995-107).
On January 5, 2021, Council approved the acceptance of the 2020 UASI City of Denton Specialized
Regional Response Team Sustainment (Grant No. 3421003), in the amount of $144,137.31 from the US
Department of Homeland Security. (Ordinance 20-2417).
RECOMMENDATION
Award a contract with Fisher Scientific Company, LLC, for the purchase of one (1) Gemini Raman and
FTIR Chemical Analyzer for the Fire Department, in the not-to-exceed amount of $105,742.
PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS
Fisher Scientific Company, LLC
Waltham, MA
ESTIMATED SCHEDULE OF PROJECT
Delivery of the items will occur within 30 days after receipt of order.
FISCAL INFORMATION
These items will be funded from the UASI Specialized Regional Response Team Sustainment Grant.
EXHIBITS
Exhibit 1: Agenda Information Sheet
Exhibit 2: Comparison
Exhibit 3: Quote
Exhibit 4: LLC Members
Exhibit 5: Ordinance
Respectfully submitted:
Lori Hewell, 940-349-7100
Purchasing Manager
For information concerning this acquisition, contact: Lindsey Garrison, 940-349-8844.
Legal point of contact: Marcella Lunn at 940-349-8333.