02/19/1979 Board of Public Works Minutes

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393 REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY 19, 1979 coat they bid with that information to be submitted to the Board by next week. He said the Board is interested in providing the best equipment for the Department which meets specifications and he asked whether the Department had any information on exper- ience with the coat bid by Shamrock. Mr. Brien said there has been some indication that the City of Cleveland has had problems with this coat. Mr. Brien was asked to contact the Cleveland Fire Department regarding the coat. Tim Brassell, Chairman of the Wage Committee, said the Committee negotiated with the Council for the amount of $25,000 for this type of clothing. Nomex is the most expensive type and offers the best protection. After the negotiations, the Committee went back to the Council stating that the men were willing to sacrifice some of the protection for durability in order to get a coat that would be guaranteed against cracking or chipping. He said the Council talked about a maximum amount of money to be spent, plus $25.00 from each man. To go with the low bid is not what the union wants and was not the Council's intent. Mr. McMahon asked if it was the intent of the Council to spend the entire $25,000 regardless of the bid figure. Mr. Parent said the intent of the Council was to buy a good coat. If there is a small difference in the bid price, the Board could select what it considered to be the lowest and best bid. Mr. McMahon asked the Clothing Committee if the three coats bid other than Shamrock are satisfactory. Mr. Brien said they have not reviewed all three coats. Mr. McMahon said the Board would ask that the union submit a statement regarding the three coats, other than Shamrock, and whether they meet specifications. Mr. Brien said the statement could be available for the next meeting. Councilman Mary C. Adams said the Council set a maximum amount for the purchase of the coats with the understanding that the coat purchased would be a good, durable piece of equipment. Sizing of the coats was then discussed. Dan Warren of Centurion Fire and Safety Equipment Company said that his bid stated the bid price was for a standard 40 inch long coat. Any variation in the standard size would be available as an option. A representative from Halterman's General Fire Safety Equipment Company stated that their bid price included custom measurement of each man for the coat. Mr. Brunner asked Chief Mirocha if the specifications had included alterations. Chief Mirocha said it was intended that alterations be covered in the bid. Tom Fredericks of Midwest Fire and Safety Company said each man's size is in his present coat and he could use that size in ordering. The Board discussed the specifications as written and whether it was clear that the bid price should include necessary alterations. The language of the specifications was that the successful bidder shall be obligated to measure for correct size. Mr. McMahon noted there was some question as to whether the bidders did address the question of alterations., He made a motion that all bids be rejected and the Board re- advertise for bids based upon revised specifications to be prepared by the Fire Chief's Office and the Clothing Committee and to include all alterations. Mr. Brunner seconded the motion and it carried. Lessel Halterman, of Halterman General Fire Safety Equipment Company, objected to the action of the Board in rejecting the bids and stated that the bid he submitted was the best coat he could offer at the best price available. He said making his bid a matter of record and re- advertising for bids means his bidding procedure has been shot down. He said the bid price he submitted is firm.