HomeMy WebLinkAboutA001 - Council Action Form dated May 27, 2025ITEM #:24
DATE:05-27-25
DEPT:FLEET
SUBJECT:PURCHASE OF TWO FORD POLICE HYBRID INTERCEPTORS
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
BACKGROUND:
Over the past several years, the City has increased the proportion of hybrid vehicles in the
Police Patrol vehicle fleet. The hybrid Ford Police Interceptors have a marginally higher
purchase price compared to standard gasoline-only version of the vehicle, but consume
substantially less fuel and require less frequent oil changes and brake services. The hybrids,
therefore, have a lower life-cycle cost to operate and better align with the City's climate goals
in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Supply-chain issues in the last several years made receiving any units--especially hybrids--
difficult. Currently, there are no issues with ordering hybrids, and this will be the second
consecutive order of hybrids. Over the past year, staff has evaluated the existing patrol vehicle
fleet and has determined that adding two vehicles into the patrol vehicle rotation would
alleviate reliability issues. Therefore, these two vehicles will not be replacements, but will
be additions to the patrol fleet.
The additional vehicles will allow for reliable vehicles to be on-hand in the event of
future replacement vehicle delays, maintenance issues, or collisions. Currently, when
several patrol vehicles are out of service due to collisions or repairs, older and less reliable
vehicles must be pressed into service. Spreading the miles driven across more vehicles is
expected to allow for an extended vehicle lifetime and for the hybrid batteries to be more
optimally used. Finally, the additional vehicles provide the opportunity to consider consistently
assigning the same vehicles to each officer, which can allow maintenance issues to be
identified earlier since officers become more familiar with their specific vehicle. Assigned
vehicles also allows for preventative maintenance and repairs to be scheduled during officers'
off-duty days.
Staff anticipates that the addition of the two vehicles will not have a significant impact on the
budget for two reasons: 1) the replacement fund balance increased substantially post-COVID
as it became difficult to purchase replacement vehicles, and 2) with more vehicles in the patrol
fleet across which the miles driven can be spread, the average service life of the patrol
vehicles is expected to increase slightly, thereby allowing more replacement funding to be
banked before a new vehicle must be purchased.
On Monday, May 12, 2025, bids for two hybrid units were received as follows:
Bidder Cost per Unit Total Cost
Dewey Ford
$45,915.84
$91,831.68
Nelson Auto Center, Inc.
$47,520.00
$95,040.00
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Stivers Ford Lincoln
$49,203.00
$98,406.00
Funding is available in the patrol vehicle escrow in the amount of $300,000. This funding
is also used for the upfitting of the vehicles with lights, radio and accessories.
These two new units were ordered in black paint as opposed to the typical white. The
Police Department is planning to implement a new graphics scheme on the patrol units.
The attached document shows the (not yet finalized) concept that is being considered.
The new graphics scheme is being pursued for a variety of reasons, including: 1) black and
white is more visible than solid white due to contrasting colors, 2) black and white is a more
common color scheme for police cars (especially important in a community like Ames were
there is a higher population of international residents), 3) reflector strips are being added along
the door panels for visibility, 4) the new font is more easily readable, and 5) a black base color
will reduce the cost of the wrap put on the vehicle. This new graphics scheme will be
implemented at the time the replacement units are put into service and will take an
entire replacement cycle (approximately two years) to fully implement across the
department.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Award a contract to Dewey Ford of Ankeny, IA for two Ford Police Hybrid Interceptors in
the amount of $91,831.68.
2. Award the contract to another bidder.
3. Reject the bids and do not purchase these Police vehicles.
CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
These units will provide flexibility to the Police Department while still meeting the City's
Climate Action Plan goals. The additional vehicles will provide for increased availability
of reliable units available to the Patrol Division. Therefore, it is the recommendation of the
City Manager that the City Council adopt Alternative No. 1 as described above.
ATTACHMENT(S):
Ames PD Squad Car 30.png
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