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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/01/2015 Police Firing Range Renovation ProposalMOUNT PROSPECT POLICE DEPARTMENT FORMAL MEMORANDUM TO: ACTING VILLAGE MANAGER DAV I= STRAHL FROM: CHIEF TIMOTHY JANOWI, SUBJECT: POLICE FIRING RANGE RENOVATION PROPOSAL DATE: AUGUST 25, 2015 CHF 15-73 CONTROL, NUMBER Police Department Request The police department is requesting to purchase and install a new range target control system at a cost not to exceed $120,000.00, as funded in the FY2015 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). Attached for your review are itemized estimates from four (4) vendors. Two (2) vendors are involved with the installation of a new target control system, and two (2) vendors are specific to the demolition procedures required prior to any new installation. Discussion The Police Department's rifle/pistol range is utilized on a frequent basis for weapons training, qualifications, and maintenance. The firearms range is located in the basement of Fire Station 12, located at Golf and Busse Roads. All sworn personnel are required to qualify three (3) times a year, demonstrating proficiency with duty weapons, off-duty weapons, less lethal weapons, and AR -15 rifles. In addition to the required Department qualifications, personnel also complete the State mandated firearms qualification course and receive ongoing training in weapons tactics at this facility. For an agency of our size, it would be logistically challenging and very costly to attempt to conduct these activities at an alternate location outside of the Village limits. The current target carrier system was installed in early 2008. Three (3) vendors were involved in the bidding process at that time: Action Target, Meggitt Training Systems, and Patriot Range Technologies. Patriot Range Technologies was the mid -priced vendor and was awarded the contract. Patriot Range Technologies is a small, local business based out of Plainfield, IL. Staff selected this vendor because it was believed that having a small, local company perform the work would have resulted in superior customer service and expeditious response times for our service requirements. Unfortunately, this has not been the Department's experience with Patriot Range Technologies. The performance of the Patriot system has not met the Department's expectations and the frequent breakdowns have caused considerable downtime to our range operations. The required parts for the target carriers, such as the internal electric motors, are no longer manufactured and are unavailable. The software for the Patriot system is antiquated and is no longer supported. The equipment is unreliable and is in need of constant repair. As such, the system is in dire need of replacement. In addition to the equipment issues, the customer service and support provided by Patriot Range Technologies has been grossly substandard. The company does not return phone calls and having a technician respond to service our facility in a timely manner has been very difficult. Our overall experience with Patriot Range Technologies has been extremely poor. As a result, they were excluded from the bidding process. Page 1 of 4 With COURAGE we protect, with COMPASSION we serve. MOUNT PROSPECT POLICE DEPARTMENT I CHF 15-73 FORMAL MEMORANDUM II CONTROL NUMBER Vendors Action Target and Meggitt Training Systems are the two largest and best known vendors in the firing range target carrier systems arena. Both vendors have done hundreds of installations for law enforcement agencies and commercial ranges nationwide. They are always represented at the International Association of Chiefs of Police Conference, Illinois Tactical Officer's Convention, and at the International Law Enforcement Educators Association Conference each year. These are firmly established companies that offer a more stable customer service base due to their success and longevity within the industry. Sergeant Schmitz, our firearms training coordinator, and staff visited several agencies in the area to view systems installed by both Action Target and Meggitt Training Systems. Staff was able to have candid discussions with other firearms instructors who utilize these systems on a continual basis. The following is a list of the agencies' staff visited along with the firearms instructors / training coordinators contacted at each agency: Naperville Police Department / Commander Kammerer Action Target Niles Police Department / Sergeant Zakula Action Target Buffalo Grove Police Department / Lieutenant Gallagher Action Target Palatine Police Department / Commander Canada Meggitt Training Systems Streamwood Police Department / Commander Sunter Meggitt Training Systems Schaumburg Police Department/ Investigator Mydlach Meggitt Training Systems Staff was very pleased with the results of the onsite inspections. Both Action Target and Meggitt Training Systems received very positive reviews. The training coordinators and firearms instructors interviewed advised that they rarely, if ever, had system failures and that representatives from each vendor contacted them on a regular basis. Both companies were receptive to the needs of the respective agencies and provided excellent customer service and support. All of the listed agencies were very satisfied with their current target carrier systems. None of the agency representatives had anything negative to report. Best Technology Systems (BTS) is our local bullet trap maintenance company that we have utilized since the installation of our new backstop in 2008. They are involved in the hazardous materials removal of the lead from our bullet trap. Action Target and Meggitt advised they would subcontract BTS to conduct the demolition and soundproofing portions if awarded the proposed project. Both vendors advised the Village could reduce their costs by contacting BTS directly as we are a current customer. Staff contacted BTS to obtain a bid on the demolition of our carrier system and the installation of new acoustical tiles on the range ceiling and walls. Staff also conducted a search for alternate vendors, which proved to be more difficult than anticipated. As this portion of the project falls under federal hazardous materials guidelines, the number of available vendors is extremely limited. We were able to locate a second federally licensed and certified vendor, Green Bay Lead, who could handle both the demolition and construction aspects of the proposed project. Proposed Project Our firing range is currently a four (4) position range with a linear target carrier system. This system would be removed and would be replaced by four (4) static target holders placed directly in front of the backstop. The targets would face/edge upon command, but they would no longer move longitudinally from front to back of the range. The targets would be controlled from a control booth console or remotely by the use of a handheld tablet. The most continual and consistent failure of our current system was the target carrier mechanisms that moved the Page 2 of 4 MOUNT PROSPECT POLICE DEPARTMENT CHF 15-73 FORMAL MEMORANDUM CONTROL NUMBER targets along a rail system. This entire rail system would be removed and eliminated. Movement in our training programs will be accomplished by having the officer move, not the targets. This type of system has a proven track record of outstanding reliability and very low maintenance. "Combat walls" will be installed along the interior walls extending out 20 feet from the backstop. These bullet absorbing walls will allow a 180 degree training area in which officers could engage multiple targets at varying angles. This would allow our officers to encounter new training experiences such as live fire dynamic entry and room clearing drills which cannot be conducted within our current facility. The ability to fire at targets within a 180 degree arc allows our instructors to design courses of fire that formerly could only have been done in select, outdoor ranges. The installation of combat walls would greatly enhance the current firearms training program. System Costs Both Action Target and Meggitt Training Systems submitted proposals for the aforementioned project. These proposals are attached for your review. Total costs from each of these vendors are as follows: Action Target $75,800.00 Meggitt Training Systems $66,712.51 The proposals from Meggitt and Action Target are primarily for the same or very similar products and services. They also both received very favorable reviews from all the agencies we had contacted. Both vendors offer a similar product line and their customer service reviews were virtually the same. However, Meggitt Training Systems' proposal is $9,087.49 cheaper than Action Target. This figure reflects a savings of approximately 12% overall. It is staff's recommendation that Meggitt Training Systems be awarded the contract to renovate our range facility at this time. The demolition portion of the project consists of proposals submitted by Best Technology Systems and Green Bay Lead, Inc. Their proposals cover the removal of the existing sprayed on woolen material from the walls and ceiling and the installation of sound reduction materials. However, there are some major differences between the two proposals. Green Bay Lead, Inc. included sound proofing materials along the entire ceiling and BTS did not include this service. Also, BTS's quote included the use of generic foam tiles for the soundproofing whereas Green Bay Lead will be installing top quality Acoustical Solutions wall curtains and PolySorb sound panels. Green Bay Lead's quote included the demolition of our current target carrier and baffles. Green Bay Lead's quote also included the removal of the existing soundproofing and installing Acoustical Solutions sound absorbing curtain panels along the walls and PolySorb sound reducing panels on the ceiling. Green Bay Lead is a certified hazardous materials abatement company and will be responsible for the disposal of all hazardous waste. It is staff's recommendation that Green Bay Lead be awarded this contract as their proposal was less expensive, they offer a greater amount of services, and they utilize superior quality materials. Best Technology Systems $42,855.00 Green Bay Lead, Inc. $41,105.00 Both Best Technology Systems and Green Bay Lead proposals are included for your review. Page 3 of 4 MOUNT PROSPECT POLICE. DEPARTMENT I CHF 15-73 FORMAL MEMORANDUM CONTROL NUMBER Summary This project would be funded from monies budgeted in capital improvement fund account # 020.60.90.00.1706.647.013. Attached for your review are quotes from both the range firing control system vendors as well as the two demolition companies. In conclusion, based on their ability to meet all Department specifications, costs, and professional experience, it is the Police Department's recommendation to waive the bid process and have Meggitt Training Systems install a new target control system at a cost not to exceed $66,712.51. It is also the Police Department's recommendation to waive the bid process and have Green Bay Lead, Inc. conduct the necessary demolition, sound proofing installation and hazardous waste removal at a cost not to exceed $41,105.00. Total cost for both the demolition/removal of the existing target carrier system by Green Bay Lead, Inc., and the installation of the proposed renovations by Meggitt Training Systems would be $107,817.51. These funds represent all cost associated with making the new range firing control system operational. Please contact me should you have any questions. Attachments C: Deputy Chief Eterno Deputy Chief Griffin All Commanders Sergeant Schmitz Page 4 of 4