Every year the Police Department responds to a large number of calls for service that have a high potential for violent confrontations involving firearms. Additionally, many of the investigations by police investigators result in the identification and location of offenders with a violent criminal history involving firearm violations, which requires investigators and officers to use extreme caution when taking these individuals into custody. Oftentimes the SWAT team is activated to ensure officers with the required tactical training and weapon systems are on scene to serve both search and arrest warrants and effect such arrests.

The SWAT team is also tasked with handling responses to barricaded armed suspects, hostage situations, and potential terrorist threats; all of which could include the threat of IEDs, large caliber weapons, or mass casualty incidents with an ongoing, active threat to human life. The City of Orange recently utilized their armored rescue vehicle during a mass shooting incident that occurred in their city last month.  

Armored rescue vehicles (ARVs) provide law enforcement the protection required to respond to violent calls with the mobility to shield, aggress and breach. However, armored vehicles also provide a de-escalation factor. Tactical armored vehicles like the Lenco BearCat have become a necessary tool for modern policing. Not only does an armored vehicle protect officers, it empowers them to be more precise with de-escalation techniques. The armored response vehicle would be utilized to rescue victims, mitigate injury to officers and rescue personnel, with both mobility and survivability.

Garden Grove SWAT personnel have spent hours training on rapid deployment from the Lenco BearCat currently being used by neighboring agencies. While a few outside agencies will allow our Department to use their armored response vehicles, it often takes time to obtain the necessary authorization which is not practical during a rapidly evolving critical incident.

The Lenco BearCat is the same brand of armored vehicle currently utilized by law enforcement agencies throughout the nation as well as surrounding municipalities and agencies. The standardization of this vehicle allows for additional units from the police department and other agencies to be on scene, as officers from the city and other agencies have the necessary knowledge of how to operate them. By purchasing the same brand of armored vehicle, this eliminates the need for additional training and the associated costs on a different type of vehicle.

The City may utilize the cooperative price list from the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) for the purchase of the Lenco BearCat.  GSA price list number GS-07F-169DA offers substantive cost savings across the board on this purchase. The U.S. General Services Administration under its GSA Multiple Award Schedules (MAS) Program, establishes the largest government-wide contracts which allow agencies to acquire products and services directly from suppliers.

Additionally, the Lenco BearCat is the only armored rescue vehicle with a 131-inch wheelbase. This allows the compact vehicle to have a tighter turning radius than larger options. The smaller turning radius allows the user to navigate through city streets and traffic with greater maneuverability. Lenco is currently the only manufacture, distributor, authorized dealer or supplier of the extremely light weight ballistic panels used in their armored response vehicles for civilian law enforcement.

The Department proposes that the purchase of the Lenco BearCat be completed using a combination of existing Federal asset forfeiture funds and general fund revenue received from the seizure and disposition of illegal gambling monies.  The total cost is $285,188.18.  This amount will cover the cost of $262,242 to Lenco for the purchase of the BearCat and allow for $22,946.18 to be applied to California sales tax (8.75%).

The Police Department does not request the rescue response vehicle be purchased from the fleet fund nor is it the request that the vehicle be added to the City’s fleet. The rescue response vehicle will be an “as used’ vehicle and will not be part of the City’s fleet. Maintenance and fuel costs are to be determined once the vehicle has been deployed and has been operational for one year after taking delivery. Lenco estimates the build to be completed approximately 11 months after the purchase order is issued.

It is recommended that the City Council:

• Approve the cooperative use of the GSA price list GS-07F-169DA for purchase of the Lenco BearCat;

• Approve dispensing with bidding for sole source purchase, cooperative purchase, and in the best interest of the City pursuant to Garden Grove Municipal Code 2.50.060(C), (E) and (G); 

• Appropriate $142,594.09 from the Federal Asset Forfeiture Fund (Fund 202) and $142,594.09 from the General Fund (Fund 111) for a total of $285,188.18 to the fiscal year 2020-21 budget for this purchase; 

• Authorize the City Manager or his designee to execute the purchase order in the amount of $285,188.18 and make any minor modifications as necessary thereto on behalf of the City.