CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Approve the award of Bid 24-215, Fire Uniforms, to On Time Embroidery, Inc. (DBA Unique Apparel Solutions), for an amount not to exceed $371,000 and for a two-year term
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DEPARTMENT: Fire Department
SUBMITTED BY: Mark Puknaitis, Chief
BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW:
N/A
BACKGROUND:
The Naperville Fire Department purchases uniforms for all staff officers, sworn shift personnel, members of the Fire Prevention Bureau, administrative civilian personnel, and volunteers from the Naperville Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). Uniform requirements for sworn shift personnel are established in a collective bargaining agreement and must meet National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 1975: Standard on Station/Work Uniforms for Firefighters.
A complete set of uniforms is issued to new hires and individual items are replaced as needed based on the condition of the item. Per the collective bargaining agreement, items submitted for replacement may be appropriately repaired rather than replaced if it is reasonable. Employees are responsible for the cleanliness and appearance of uniforms.
In October 2024, the Fire Department issued Bid 24-215, Fire Uniforms, to seek a vendor that would provide work and dress uniforms, badges, collar brass, and other insignia as well as polo shirts, t-shirts, and caps.
DISCUSSION:
Advertisement Date:
10/22/24
Notices Sent:
75
Opening Date:
11/12/24
Planholders:
11
Proposals Received:
2
Bids were received from the following vendors:
Vendor Name
Proposed Cost
Galls LLC
$160,279.38
On Time Embroidery, Inc.
$185,351.00
Galls LLC., the current uniform vendor, was deemed non-responsible due to a significant error rate of nearly 25% in fulfilling orders under the contract. These errors resulted in prolonged delays, forced members to wear unrepresentable uniforms, and incurred additional costs to rectify the issues. The majority of items had manufacturing errors, ...
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