FROM:
Police Department
SUBJECT:
Title
Approve the Single/Sole Source equipment and installation of replacement engine for the Fontana Police Department Airship AS350B2 (N641EG)
End
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Approve and authorize the City Manager or his assigned designee to approve the purchase and installation of a replacement engine for the City’s police helicopter utilizing Purchasing Policy and Procedure Manual 3.1.5 Non-Competitive Proposal – Single/Sole Source.
Approve purchase in the amount of $872,827.50 from Federal Asset Seizure (Fund 223).
End
COUNCIL GOALS:
- Improve public safety by increasing operational efficiency, visibility and availability.
- Improve public safety by maximizing fire and emergency medical service resources.
- Concentrate on Inter-governmental relations by working cooperatively with neighboring jurisdictions.
DISCUSSION:
The Police Department’s helicopter is a critical public safety resource used for aerial patrol, suspect apprehension, search-and-rescue, and disaster response. The current engine has reached the end of its manufacturer-recommended service life and is due for replacement to maintain FAA compliance and operational safety standards.
FAA and SAFRAN often allow for extensions to engines based on service records and conditions of current engines. As of late, FAA has been denying all extensions due to Module 4 of the 5-module engine system of the Air Bus AS350B2 helicopter. Despite this current trend, under advisement and the recommendation of SAFRAN, the extension was applied for several months ago. Recently the FAA unfortunately denied the extension. The current remaining time on the helicopter only allows for 1 flight per week, placing a higher use on the remaining aircraft in the fleet. Within 4 months, the AS350B2 engine will be timed out and no longer air worthy under the current conditions.
There is an option to replace Module 4. This will cost approximately $109,742.50. Upon completion the aircraft would need to be resubmitted to FAA for an extension of the engine. Two of the four remaining modules have a service life of 5 months to one year (absent the extension). It is again the opinion of SAFRAN that the extension may be denied. This would require additional costs in the near future, including duplicate costs for removal of old modules and reinstallation of the new modules at an estimated cost of $610,000, bringing the cost of the (3) modules to $719,742.50.
It is under good advisement from Helisafe, SAFRAN, and the FPD Air Support personnel that complete replacement of all modules is the most efficient way to guarantee safe and full compliance with the FAA in a timely manner. This will also reduce the potential for future cost with the engine and excessive maintenance cost for redundant removal and installation replacing the modules over time. The total cost of one-time replacement of all modules that will all time out within the next two years is $872,827.50.
Timely engine replacement will minimize downtime, prevent costly emergency repairs, and extend the overall service life of all aircraft in the fleet.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The fiscal impact associated with the approval of this item is $872,828 and is not included in the FY25/26 Operating Budget. Funding will be requested during the FY25/26 First Quarter Report from Fund 223 (Federal Asset Seizure) to budget # 22340233.
MOTION:
Approve staff recommendation.