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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 04102007 - C.81 ^ SE y -- Contra To: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Costa FROM: John Cullen, County Administrator County . , DATE: April 9, 2007 cos A'�ei;N SUBJECT: Emergency Request for Helicopter Repair SPECIFIC REQUEST(S)OR RECOMMENDATION(S)&BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION RECOMMENDATION: APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Purchasing Agent to execute a Purchase Order with Rolls Royce in the amount of$115,000 to provide an emergency overhaul of the accessory gear box and turbine on the Sheriff's helicopter. FINANCIAL IMPACT: The repair and purchase order will be funded by the County Law Enforcement Helicopter Capital Project Fund (105600). This is a non-general fund with revenues accumulating from a 10% set aside from total receipts of the Sheriff's hourly charges to participating agencies for helicopter services. These funds are specifically reserved for major parts replacement for the helicopter program. Additional financial impacts result from the Sheriff's revenues being reduced when the helicopter is incapacitated and unable to provide contracted services. BACKGROUND: In addition to providing support services for Sheriff's patrol in unincorporated areas, the helicopter program has contractual agreements to provide marine patrol services including assistance for vessels in distress, search and rescue missions, monitoring of levees, and checking for hazardous spills in the Delta. Additionally, the Sheriff's Office is contracted to provide helicopter services for the City of Richmond. Recently, STARR 1's internal monitor and alarm indicated that immediate service was required. After an initial in-house assessment, followed by a manufacturer's inspection, it was determined that the Bell 407 helicopter requires an immediate overhaul of the accessory gear box. CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: YES SIGNATURE: 1/fIECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION O B ARD COMMITTEE PROVE OTHER SIGNATURE(S):'~~•..._.. L. ACTION OF BO D N AO APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER VO OF SUPERVISORS / I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE UNANIMOUS(ABSENT ) AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN AYES: NO AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD ABSENT: ABSTAIN: OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN. ATTESTED P P ' rl /p J70(0 JOHN CULLEN,CLERK OF THE BOAO OF SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR Contact: Captain David Pascoe,Sheriff's Office,Patrol Division(3-2510) Lt.Mark Williams,Sheriffs Office,Patrol Division(427-8598) cc: SHERIFF'S OFFICE(CONTRACTS) COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR BY `' ,DEPUTY AUDITOR-CONTROLLER CONTRACTOR c• �� 4/10/0 q Page 2 April 10,2007 This work is not completely unanticipated, as the cumulative flight hours on the engine are approaching the recommended overhaul interval required by the manufacturer (Rolls- Royce) for this work. However, once the warning sensor indicated a problem with the presence of metallic particles in the oil system, it was determined that the work needs to be done immediately. The overhaul requires the complete removal of the engine/gear box assembly from the airframe. Additionally, the engine (turbine assembly) is also approaching a scheduled overhaul and it is cost effective to service both the gear box and turbine at the time while the complete assembly is out of the airframe. According to technical experts and the Director of Maintenance, given the situation, it is standard practice to combine the overhauls of the accessory gear box and turbine. The Sheriffs Office reviewed bids from three contractors including: Aero Maritime in Winipeg, Canada; Standard Aero, in Mesa Arizona; and Rolls Royce in Oakland. The proposed vendor was selected based on the following advantages: they are the manufacturer of the original equipment, they are located in Oakland thereby significantly reducing shipping costs, and the hourly rental charges for a replacement engine are $50 less per hour. While the bid for the proposed service was not the lowest, the advantages listed above are justification for the small difference in cost. CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION: Helicopter services are part of an adequately equipped law enforcement agency and supply a level of service significantly beyond what a patrol vehicle can provide alone. The Sheriff's helicopter program provides the following benefits: Disaster Assessment: In the event of a natural disaster, hazardous material spill or other major emergency, a helicopter provides the best source of assessment information for emergency response or population evacuation recommendations. Command staff has the ability to survey an entire operation at one time, as opposed to a more fragmented ground view. The helicopter also has the ability to "downlink" live video to a command center or to a portable, hand held monitor. Response Requirement: The diverse geography and topography of the region requires a properly equipped helicopter with the ability to respond to emergency situations in a timely fashion. Examples of this are police vehicle and foot pursuits, in progress crimes, suspect searches, search & rescue operations on land or water, emergency transportation and officer assistance calls. Additionally, surveillance requires a stable air platform with the ability to carry sophisticated cameras, and infrared and video taping equipment that can capture information both day and night. Police Pursuits: This is one of the most frequent and dangerous activities in law enforcement. Pursuits place officers, citizens and suspect(s) at great risk. A significant liability is incurred and public scrutiny every time a pursuit is engage. Helicopters can safely follow a suspect while allowing ground units to pursue at a safer speed and distance. At the termination of a pursuit, the helicopter can effectively coordinate ground units to affect a capture. Police Patrol: No single vehicle can provide the geographical coverage, the observation capability or versatility of a helicopter in diverse terrain. With this single piece of equipment, a properly trained crew can observe residential and commercial areas, land inaccessible by vehicle and miles of shoreline and waterways. Emergency Transportation: Emergency transportation of search & rescue personnel, K9 handlers, S.W.A.T. personnel, or command staff, are all possible uses of the aircraft. Although REACH and CALSTAR helicopters are designed and equipped for emergency advanced life support medivac, the aircraft has the capability to transport injured persons under extenuating circumstances, particularly public safety officers wounded in the line of duty.