FIREFIGHTING EQUIPMENT

Safety and Health Committee · 2026-09-08 · resolution

This is a legislative item for Miami-Dade County to establish a prequalification pool for structural firefighting personal protective equipment (bunker gear) for the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department. The pool is for a five-year term in the amount of $15,000,000. The item was introduced on 8/17/2026, was forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners with a favorable recommendation by the Safety and Health Committee on 9/8/2026, and is scheduled for the Board agenda on 10/6/2026. The resolution authorizes the County Mayor or designee to solicit pricing and award contracts up to the aggregate amount, add vendors to the pool at any time subject to bi-annual ratification, and requires Board ratification for any contract award exceeding $5,000,000. The pool is needed because approximately 14,219 coats, 9,982 pants, 3,797 helmets, 739 hoods, 922 gloves, and 781 boots will reach or near the end of their useful life over the next five years. Six vendors are recommended for the pool. The fiscal impact is $15,000,000 from the Fire District FY 2025-26 Adopted Budget. The scope is countywide. The current contract FB-01840 expires on February 28, 2027. The solicitation was issued on February 17, 2026, and closed on March 19, 2026, with eight submittals received. The item notes that fewer than 75 percent of recommended vendors are local due to the specialized nature of the equipment. No public comment or stakeholder sentiment is stated in the document.