After approving an additional ambulance just a few weeks ago, Folsom City Council has given the green light to move forward with the purchase of four new pick-up trucks for the Folsom Fire Department. The new vehicles will replace those in use that have reached their life span when it comes to efficiency and maintenance needs.
“The Fire Department currently utilizes seven various staff vehicles that are all older than 15 years old and have extensively high mileage. The current staff vehicle fleet is unreliable and requires replacement. Rising maintenance expenses to the staff vehicle fleet are outpacing replacement costs,” said Folsom Fire Chief in the submitted request that was approved Tuesday night.
The Fire Department has conducted extensive research and determined that this purchase through the Sourcewell contract would provide the City with a reliable product at the best price, according to the staff report. Sourcewell contracts provided through Nation Auto Fleet Group have assisted local government members nationally in reducing competitive bid costs associated with procuring products and services.
The four Dodge pick-up trucks will be acquired through an agreement with the National Auto Fleet Group. The approved contract price for the vehicles $328,373.57 with a 5% contingency of $16,418.68 for a total amount not to exceed $344,792.25, according to the analysis contained in the City of Folsom staff report. The purchase was included in the 2023-2024 fiscal budget.
National Auto Fleet Group has been awarded a contract through Sourcewell to supply vehicles on behalf of Dodge manufacturing. The City will save an additional 5% over the lowest bid price that National Auto Fleet Group can offer by utilizing Sourcewell.
There are several California municipalities who participate in the Sourcewell contracts, including the Cities of Auburn, Roseville, Rancho Cordova, Sacramento, Vacaville, and Woodland. The County of Sacramento and the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District are also participants in the program.
Once received, the purchase will replace four of the oldest vehicles in the staff vehicle inventory. Each vehicle will be equipped with unique equipment to fit the Fire Department’s need. The trucks will be utilized to serve the department in administrative and logistical functions.
The new trucks will take approximately five months to upfit with emergency response equipment with an expected delivery date of April 2024.
