HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 05 Springfield Police Department Rifle Replacements AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY Meeting Date: 2/19/2019
Meeting Type: Regular Meeting
Staff Contact/Dept.: Chief Richard Lewis Staff Phone No: 541-726-3729
Estimated Time: Consent Calendar
S P R I N G F I E L D C I T Y C O U N C I L Council Goals: Provide Financially Responsible and
Innovative Government Services
ITEM TITLE: REQUEST FOR BRAND NAME SPECIFICATION FOR POLICE RIFLE REPLACEMENTS
ACTION REQUESTED:
Request motion to approve a Brand Name specification for the Springfield Police
Department rifle replacements
ISSUE STATEMENT:
The City of Springfield Police Department has used the current Colt LE Carbine
AR-15 patterned rifles for over 15 years and the rifles are now due for replacement
to ensure future reliability and officer safety.
Department armorers and firearm instructors have evaluated and recommend
procurement of a rifle replacement option produced by FN America. FN America currently supplies AR-15 patterned rifles to the United States Department of
Defense (DOD) and adheres to the DOD’s strict quality standards.
A Brand Name Specification would allow the Department to procure FN America
FN15 SBR Tactical Carbines.
ATTACHMENTS: ATT 1: Council Briefing Memorandum ATT 2: Brand Name Specification Exemption Request
DISCUSSION/ FINANCIAL
IMPACT:
For details regarding the Brand Name request, refer to Council Briefing
Memorandum
M E M O R A N D U M City of Springfield
Date: 2/6/2019
To: Gino Grimaldi COUNCIL
From: Chief Richard L. Lewis
Detective Justin Myers
BRIEFING
Subject: Request for Brand Name Specification for SPD
Rifle Replacements MEMORANDUM
ISSUE:
The City of Springfield Police Department has used the current Colt LE Carbine AR-15 patterned
rifles for over 15 years and the rifles are now due for replacement to ensure future reliability and
officer safety.
Department armorers and firearm instructors have evaluated and recommend procurement of a
rifle replacement option produced by FN America. FN America currently supplies AR-15
patterned rifles to the United States Department of Defense (DOD) and adheres to the DOD’s
strict quality standards.
A Brand Name Specification would allow the Department to procure FN America FN15 SBR
Tactical Carbines.
COUNCIL GOALS/
MANDATE:
Provide Financially Responsible and Innovative Government Services
Purchasing a rifle replacement model utilized by the DOD and meets their requirements increases
the reliability, performance, and longevity of the equipment used to provide police services to the
community.
BACKGROUND:
The Springfield Police Department historically replaces firearms after 10 years of service, as long
as the firearm system continues to meet department needs. This practice ensures the firearms
supplied to officers are in the best possible condition and generally meet industry standards in
their design. As noted above, the current patrol rifles are more than 10 years old, with some rifles
close to 20 years old. Over the last two years, department armorers have seen an increase in parts
breakage in the currently fielded rifles. In addition, in the last few years, officers and members of
the firearms training group have voiced concern over the setup of the currently issued rifles and
the lack of important industry standard devices. Of specific concern are the rifles lack any sort of
illumination device (weapon mounted light (WML)) and the lack of a device to mitigate the
sound generated when the rifle is discharged.
Due to the factors outlined above, the Springfield Police Department will replace the patrol
program’s AR-15 patterned rifle. The AR-15 patterned rifle is by far the most ubiquitous rifle
platform utilized by law enforcement in the United States. The Department intends to replace the
current patrol rifles and continue with another AR-15 rifle, as it is utilized by law enforcement in
the United States and SPD officers are already trained on the AR-15 patterned rifle. Continuity
in the rifle platform would facilitate a smooth transition to new rifles.
Department armorers and firearm instructors recommend purchase of the FN America AR-15
SBR Tactical Carbine rifles, because FN is contractually required to adhere to United States
Attachment 1, Page 1 of 2
MEMORANDUM Page 2
Department of Defense standards. To meet DOD standards FN implements manufacturing,
inspection, and testing protocols and procedures. Protocols and procedures to meet DOD
standards historically include use of specific quality of material for designated parts, inspection
of individual components, and product testing of a specified sample of total output. DOD
manufacturer packages meet or exceed government DOD standards, which provides a base line
of high reliability, quality, durability, commonality, and longevity of weapons.
Department armorers also evaluated rifle costs and determined the recommended FN15 SBR
Tactical Carbine rifle was in line, and even a little less expensive, than comparable rifles. The
purchase of 25 FN15 SBR Tactical Carbine rifles is estimated in the table below.
Cost per
item
Quantity Total Cost
FN America FN15 SBR Tactical Carbines Rifle $929 25 $23,225
Accessories (weapon light, sling, sights, mounts) $707 25 $17,675
Subtotal $40,900
Less: trade-in of Colt LE Carbine Rifle & Optic $480 22 $10,560
Total estimated cost $30,340
Rifles quoted are sound suppressor capable. Purchase of sound suppressor accessory optional.
Sound suppressor accessory (optional) $575 25 $14,375
Total estimated cost w/
suppressor
$55,275
Note: Estimated costs were obtained from Pro Force Law Enforcement and other open source web research.
As noted in the table above, emphasis was placed on procuring sound suppressor capable rifles,
however purchase of sound suppressors is deemed optional at this time. The Police Department
intends to evaluate and fund sound suppressor devices independent of rifle procurement.
Springfield Police will initiate a Request for Quote procurement process for the rifle purchase, in
accordance with State and City requirements, after consideration of this Brand Name brand
Specification request.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Based on the information provided herein by the City of Springfield Police Department, the need
to replace current patrol rifles, and the FN SBR Tactical Rifle meeting DOD standards, it is
recommended that the Council adopt a motion to approve a Brand Name Specification for City of
Springfield Police Department patrol rifle replacement.
Attachment 1, Page 2 of 2
AIS ATTACHMENT 2, Page 1 of 1