By Bill Adams

According to the dictionary, La-la-land is “a euphoric dreamlike mental state detached from the harsher realities of life.”

Some apparatus purchasing committee (APC) members and some chiefs have been accused of visiting, if not temporarily residing, there. I’ve been there. In the apparatus purchasing world, they’re the ones who beat their chests while loudly proclaiming they will purchase whatever damn fire truck they want-period. Sometimes they get away with it; sometimes they don’t. Occasionally, an authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) will make a purchasing decision based on formal bidding protocols rather than the APC’s and the chief’s wishes. Then when such a rig comes in, nobody is happy.

Inexperience

An APC worked assiduously drawing up specifications for a new pumper-their first in 15 years. None of the members had ever served on a purchasing committee. However, their enthusiasm, youthfulness, and years of firefighting experience led them to believe they could go it alone when writing their purchasing specifications. They did a pretty good job of doing so-pretty good, but not 100 percent. Soliciting vendors’ input wasn’t considered for fear of it being biased. Seeking outside professional help would be too embarrassing. Asking the advice and guidance of more experienced in-house firefighters or from neighboring departments was beneath them. After all, they were the new breed and it was “their turn.” Always being first on the attack line, being the best chauffeur in the house, and making “firefighter of the year” for the past five years do not automatically qualify one as being the most knowledgeable spec writer on the planet. Not knowing the “ins and outs” of purchasing, especially in a regulated bidding environment, could lead to some very disappointed gung-ho firefighters and one lousy rig that no one wants.

Competitive Bidding

In some competitive bidding environments, there is little to no legal oversight. One example is when an independent volunteer fire company makes a purchase. It can buy whatever it wants with little to no accountability. A regulated competitive bidding environment is one subject to legal oversight. The fire department may be part of or answers to a political subdivision. It is subject to formal rules, regulations, and the written law when dealing with tax monies. Temporary residents of La-la-land and the inexperienced can be found in both environs. They can receive a rude awakening in the latter. The intent of this article is to assist purchasers who have to, or choose to, adhere to competitive bidding rules.

APCs can be blindsided by not understanding the ramifications of using four simple words: exception, option, alternate, and clarification. They should be aware of what could happen when the words are used in bidding verbiage such as: “Exception to the Bid,” “Optional Bid,” “Alternate Bid,” and “Bid Clarification.” Some bidding protocols allow their use; some don’t. Some may give discretion to the purchasing authority whether to allow them.

It would be in the APC’s best interest to seek guidance from the AHJ, or it might be unpleasantly surprised at a bid opening. In the spec writing and bid process, clarity is paramount. Specification terminology and verbiage should never be subjected to interpretation by bidders and buyers. To ensure both are on the same page, APCs should define in their specs exactly what each term means and whether or not they will be allowed or considered.

Exception to the Bid

An exception is defined as an exclusion or an omission. For whatever reason, a bidder cannot or will not provide what a purchaser specifies. The bidder may not be capable of providing it or just doesn’t

By Bill Adams

According to the dictionary, La-la-land is “a euphoric dreamlike mental state detached from the harsher realities of life.”

Some apparatus purchasing committee (APC) members and some chiefs have been accused of visiting, if not temporarily residing, there. I’ve been there. In the apparatus purchasing world, they’re the ones who beat their chests while loudly proclaiming they will purchase whatever damn fire truck they want-period. Sometimes they get away with it; sometimes they don’t. Occasionally, an authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) will make a purchasing decision based on formal bidding protocols rather than the APC’s and the chief’s wishes. Then when such a rig comes in, nobody is happy.

Inexperience

An APC worked assiduously drawing up specifications for a new pumper-their first in 15 years. None of the members had ever served on a purchasing committee. However, their enthusiasm, youthfulness, and years of firefighting experience led them to believe they could go it alone when writing their purchasing specifications. They did a pretty good job of doing so-pretty good, but not 100 percent. Soliciting vendors’ input wasn’t considered for fear of it being biased. Seeking outside professional help would be too embarrassing. Asking the advice and guidance of more experienced in-house firefighters or from neighboring departments was beneath them. After all, they were the new breed and it was “their turn.” Always being first on the attack line, being the best chauffeur in the house, and making “firefighter of the year” for the past five years do not automatically qualify one as being the most knowledgeable spec writer on the planet. Not knowing the “ins and outs” of purchasing, especially in a regulated bidding environment, could lead to some very disappointed gung-ho firefighters and one lousy rig that no one wants.

Competitive Bidding

In some competitive bidding environments, there is little to no legal oversight. One example is when an independent volunteer fire company makes a purchase. It can buy whatever it wants with little to no accountability. A regulated competitive bidding environment is one subject to legal oversight. The fire department may be part of or answers to a political subdivision. It is subject to formal rules, regulations, and the written law when dealing with tax monies. Temporary residents of La-la-land and the inexperienced can be found in both environs. They can receive a rude awakening in the latter. The intent of this article is to assist purchasers who have to, or choose to, adhere to competitive bidding rules.

APCs can be blindsided by not understanding the ramifications of using four simple words: exception, option, alternate, and clarification. They should be aware of what could happen when the words are used in bidding verbiage such as: “Exception to the Bid,” “Optional Bid,” “Alternate Bid,” and “Bid Clarification.” Some bidding protocols allow their use; some don’t. Some may give discretion to the purchasing authority whether to allow them.

It would be in the APC’s best interest to seek guidance from the AHJ, or it might be unpleasantly surprised at a bid opening. In the spec writing and bid process, clarity is paramount. Specification terminology and verbiage should never be subjected to interpretation by bidders and buyers. To ensure both are on the same page, APCs should define in their specs exactly what each term means and whether or not they will be allowed or considered.

Exception to the Bid

An exception is defined as an exclusion or an omission. For whatever reason, a bidder cannot or will not provide what a purchaser specifies. The bidder may not be capable of providing it or just doesn’t

By Bill Adams

According to the dictionary, La-la-land is “a euphoric dreamlike mental state detached from the harsher realities of life.”

Some apparatus purchasing committee (APC) members and some chiefs have been accused of visiting, if not temporarily residing, there. I’ve been there. In the apparatus purchasing world, they’re the ones who beat their chests while loudly proclaiming they will purchase whatever damn fire truck they want-period. Sometimes they get away with it; sometimes they don’t. Occasionally, an authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) will make a purchasing decision based on formal bidding protocols rather than the APC’s and the chief’s wishes. Then when such a rig comes in, nobody is happy.

Inexperience

An APC worked assiduously drawing up specifications for a new pumper-their first in 15 years. None of the members had ever served on a purchasing committee. However, their enthusiasm, youthfulness, and years of firefighting experience led them to believe they could go it alone when writing their purchasing specifications. They did a pretty good job of doing so-pretty good, but not 100 percent. Soliciting vendors’ input wasn’t considered for fear of it being biased. Seeking outside professional help would be too embarrassing. Asking the advice and guidance of more experienced in-house firefighters or from neighboring departments was beneath them. After all, they were the new breed and it was “their turn.” Always being first on the attack line, being the best chauffeur in the house, and making “firefighter of the year” for the past five years do not automatically qualify one as being the most knowledgeable spec writer on the planet. Not knowing the “ins and outs” of purchasing, especially in a regulated bidding environment, could lead to some very disappointed gung-ho firefighters and one lousy rig that no one wants.

Competitive Bidding

In some competitive bidding environments, there is little to no legal oversight. One example is when an independent volunteer fire company makes a purchase. It can buy whatever it wants with little to no accountability. A regulated competitive bidding environment is one subject to legal oversight. The fire department may be part of or answers to a political subdivision. It is subject to formal rules, regulations, and the written law when dealing with tax monies. Temporary residents of La-la-land and the inexperienced can be found in both environs. They can receive a rude awakening in the latter. The intent of this article is to assist purchasers who have to, or choose to, adhere to competitive bidding rules.

APCs can be blindsided by not understanding the ramifications of using four simple words: exception, option, alternate, and clarification. They should be aware of what could happen when the words are used in bidding verbiage such as: “Exception to the Bid,” “Optional Bid,” “Alternate Bid,” and “Bid Clarification.” Some bidding protocols allow their use; some don’t. Some may give discretion to the purchasing authority whether to allow them.

It would be in the APC’s best interest to seek guidance from the AHJ, or it might be unpleasantly surprised at a bid opening. In the spec writing and bid process, clarity is paramount. Specification terminology and verbiage should never be subjected to interpretation by bidders and buyers. To ensure both are on the same page, APCs should define in their specs exactly what each term means and whether or not they will be allowed or considered.

Exception to the Bid

An exception is defined as an exclusion or an omission. For whatever reason, a bidder cannot or will not provide what a purchaser specifies. The bidder may not be capable of providing it or just doesn’t

By Alan M. Petrillo

Technological advances have pushed wireless communications faster and farther than many have anticipated, and use has been more deeply integrated into the fire service.

Wireless headsets, wireless hotspots on apparatus, and wirelessly controlled equipment are some of the ways wireless has made a big footprint with fire departments.

Wireless Headsets

Bob Daigle, product manager for airline, fire and marine systems, and wireless for David Clark Co., says that most fire service customers like the idea of wireless communications for drivers, officers, and aerial operators. “We launched our wireless products about five years ago and see a trend upward in fire departments moving toward more wireless communication,” he says.

David Clark Co. offers a wireless gateway with two antennae that can be installed anywhere on a vehicle, along with two belt stations-the U9910-BSW, which transmits and receives all system audio to and from the gateway and the user’s headset, and the U9913 belt station, an intercom-only model. Up to four belt stations can be connected to one gateway.

“We use the Digital Enhanced Cordless Technology (DECT) protocol for wireless because we have found it to be the most reliable for this type of application,” Daigle points out, “especially over Bluetooth, because it is less susceptible to drop out.” David Clark Co. makes a number of wireless headsets to mate with the gateway, including a behind-the-head style that simplifies use when the user is wearing a fire helmet.

1 A pump operator wears a David Clark Co. wireless behind-the-head style headset that simplifies use when wearing a helmet. (Photo courtesy of David Clark Co.)

With David Clark Co.’s new digital systems, Daigle says, “you can program individual interface requests, assign frequencies to certain users, and integrate cell phones and tablets. The power button on the digital unit toggles through four selections that include intercom, auxiliary sound sources, and assigning different radios. It’s very versatile, so the fire department can craft the system to its particular needs.”

Jim Roberts, president of Setcom Corp., says his company’s move into wireless technology five years ago “was well received, and since then we have made four iterations on the product to continue to increase the quality of the sound the user hears and transmits.” He notes that version four of the Liberator Wireless Headset “has added features that make sense and don’t contribute to user confusion.”

The Liberator Wireless Headset has a motion sensor in the headset that turns the unit off when it is not in motion. When the user picks up the headset again or begins to move, the unit automatically turns on. “It also has a cell phone feature,” Roberts notes, “and can communicate over a mobile radio, a truck intercom system, or a handheld portable radio. It uses a Bluetooth module for its primary communications link.”

• 413
• 0
• Article rating: No rating

Theme picker

Section Quick Links

 
Fire Mechanics Documents

EVT Discussion Forum

Fire Mechanic Photo Gallery

Training & Testing

2019 Scholarship

Logo Wear Store

Upcoming Events

Theme picker

Sponsors

Fire Mechanics Section Board

Chair

Posted: Oct 21, 2015

Chair

Elliot Courage
North Whatcom Fire & Rescue

Read more

• 0
• 0
• Article rating: No rating

Vice Chair

Posted: Oct 21, 2015

Vice Chair

Mike Smith 
Pierce County Fire District #5

Read more

• 0
• 0
• Article rating: No rating

Secretary

Posted: Oct 21, 2015

Secretary

Greg Bach

South Snohomish County Fire & Rescue

Read more

• 0
• 0
• Article rating: No rating

Director #1

Posted: Oct 21, 2015

Director #1

Doug Jones
South Kitsap Fire & Rescue

Read more

• 0
• 0
• Article rating: No rating

Director #2

Posted: Oct 21, 2015

Director #2

Paul Spencer 
Fire Fleet Maintenance LLC

Read more

• 0
• 0
• Article rating: No rating

Director #3

Posted: Oct 21, 2015

Director #3

Jim Morris
Mountain View Fire Department

Read more

• 0
• 0
• Article rating: No rating

Director #4

Posted: Oct 21, 2015

Director #4

Arnie Kuchta

Clark County Fire District 6

Read more

• 0
• 0
• Article rating: No rating

Director #6

Posted: Oct 21, 2015

Director #6

Brett Annear
Kitsap County Fire District 18

Read more

• 0
• 0
• Article rating: No rating

Director #5

Posted: Oct 21, 2015

Director #5

Jay Jacks
Camano Island Fire & Rescue

Read more

• 0
• 0
• Article rating: No rating

Legislative Representative

Posted: Oct 21, 2015

Legislative Representative

TBD

TBD

Read more

• 3363
• 0
• Article rating: No rating

Immediate Past Chair

Posted: Oct 20, 2015

Immediate Past Chair

Brian Fortner
Graham Fire & Rescue

Read more

• 0
• 0
• Article rating: No rating

RSS

Theme picker

2020 CAR SHOW