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APPROVE A MOTION FOR THE USE OF COOPERATIVE PURCHASING AGREEMENT WITH LIFE-ASSIST, INC. THROUGH NATIONAL PURCHASING PARTNERS FOR THE PURCHASE OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL SUPPLIES, PHARMACEUTICALS, EQUIPMENT, AND RELATED SERVICES
recommended action
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council approve a motion to:
1. Approve findings pursuant to Stockton Municipal Code §3.68.070(A)(5) in support of an exception to the competitive bidding process;
2. Approve the use of League of Oregon Cities Master Price Agreement No. PS25830 with Life-Assist, Inc., available through National Purchasing Partners (NPPGov), for the purchase of emergency medical supplies, pharmaceuticals, equipment, and related services for an initial four-year term in an amount not to exceed $445,000; and
3. Authorize the City Manager to take necessary and appropriate actions to carry out the purpose and intent of this motion.
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Summary
The Stockton Fire Department (SFD) provides Advanced Life Support (ALS) emergency medical services and is required to maintain inventories of medications, medical supplies, equipment, and related materials necessary to support emergency medical operations. Staff recommends approval of the proposed cooperative purchasing agreement with Life-Assist, Inc. to ensure continued access to competitively priced emergency medical supplies, pharmaceuticals, equipment, and related services necessary to support ongoing Fire Department operations (Attachment A).
DISCUSSION
Background
SFD provides ALS first-response services and maintains an inventory of medications, disposable medical supplies, diagnostic equipment, patient care products, and other EMS-related materials required for emergency operations. Many of these items are consumed during patient care activities and must be routinely replenished to maintain operational readiness and compliance with San Joaquin County Emergency Medical Services Agency requirements.
SFD has maintained a purchasing relationship with Life-Assist and has historically utilized cooperative purchasing agreements to procure EMS supplies and equipment. The City previously utilized a cooperative purchasing agreement with Life-Assist, Inc. through National Purchasing Partners (NPPGov) for the procurement of emergency medical supplies, pharmaceuticals, equipment, and related services. That agreement concluded on May 29, 2026.
Present Situation
The League of Oregon Cities issued Request for Proposal No. 2535 for Medical Products, Monitors, Software, Data Transmission, and Related Services and subsequently awarded Master Price Agreement No. PS25830 to Life-Assist, Inc. The agreement is available to participating public agencies through National Purchasing Partners (NPPGov).
The cooperative agreement provides discounted pricing on a broad range of emergency medical supplies, pharmaceuticals, diagnostic equipment, life support equipment, and related products utilized in the delivery of Advanced Life Support (ALS) services. Products commonly procured through Life-Assist include medications used to treat cardiac arrest, allergic reactions, respiratory emergencies, seizures, and other life-threatening conditions, intravenous and intraosseous access supplies, airway management equipment, cardiac monitoring accessories, trauma and hemorrhage control supplies, infection control products, and other consumable medical items required for patient care. Many of these products are consumed during emergency responses, have limited shelf lives, or must be replaced after use to maintain required inventory levels on frontline apparatus. Continued access to these supplies is necessary to ensure firefighters and paramedics have the equipment required to provide emergency medical care to the community.
The agreement provides a 31 percent discount off list pricing for most medical and pharmaceutical product categories and a 15 percent discount for specified training and capital equipment categories. The City's Procurement Division has reviewed the cooperative agreement and determined that it satisfies the City's requirements and provides a cost-effective procurement method for EMS supplies and equipment. Continued participation will allow SFD to maintain uninterrupted access to critical products while benefiting from pricing established through a competitive solicitation process.
FINDINGS
Stockton Municipal Code Section 3.68.070(A)(5) allows an exception to the competitive bidding process, enabling the City to utilize the terms and conditions of a competitively solicited and negotiated cooperative purchasing agreements. The exception applies when the agreement meets the City’s procurement and business needs, and the City Council has approved findings that support and justify the exception. The following findings support and justify an exception under Section 3.68.070(A)(5):
1. Cooperative contracts qualify as an exception to the City’s competitive bidding process as outlined in City Municipal Code §3.68.070(A)(5).
2. The Request for Proposals (RFP) were conducted in line with procurement best practices through an open, competitive, and transparent solicitation process, adhering to all applicable procurement laws and regulations.
3. By leveraging cooperative purchasing agreements, the City can take advantage of discounts that the City could not achieve through its own solicitation.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
SFD has an annual budget allocation of approximately $127,000 for emergency medical supplies, equipment, and related services. Sufficient funds are available within Fire Suppression operating accounts 4020-000-650001-100/200-000/202-20-40-000-000 to support purchases under the agreement on an as-needed basis. The proposed four-year agreement has a total not-to-exceed amount of $445,000.
Attachment A - Life Assist Coop Agreement