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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Lt. Bill Rowley, Aurora Police Department
DATE: January 29, 2025
SUBJECT:
A Resolution to approve the purchase of 31 MES United Shield Brand Ballistic Shields and accessories from MES/Lawmen Supply of Deer Creek, Illinois through the Sourcewell Cooperative Contract #090122-MES in an amount not to exceed $70,000.00.
PURPOSE:
To purchase replacement ballistic shields for the Aurora Police Department. These ballistic shields are essential for the protection of our first responding police officers and are being purchased to replace outdated and end-of-life shields, and also to equip newly added marked patrol cars with ballistic shields.
BACKGROUND:
The 2025 budget includes a decision package from the Aurora Police Department to replace ballistic shields over a multi-year phased replacement program. This decision package began in 2022 and is currently set to continue through the budget year 2026.
At the onset of our budget request in 2022, we determined that our current ballistic shields were either approaching or were at the end of their useful recommended life, and a replacement was warranted. Additionally, the recent addition of marked squad cars to our overall fleet allowance required that we also outfit these new squads with various equipment, including ballistic shields.
Our plan is to ensure that all police squads have a pistol-rated ballistic shield available, and all supervisor squads have a rifle-rated ballistic shield available for immediate use.
DISCUSSION:
During our assessment, we noted that ballistic shields used in our patrol division were approaching or have reached the end of their warrantied life. We have developed a multi-year plan to replace our aging supply on a rotation and have included in this plan the addition of ballistic shields to newly-added squad cars in our fleet. This request for purchase is part of that multi-year replacement program cycle.
We located MES/Lawmen Supply Company, who participates in the Sourcewell Cooperative purchasing agreement, and is a vendor who has provided reliable service to the Aurora Police Department in the past. MES/Lawmen Supply Company demonstrated that they meet the public safety needs of the police department and will provide the needed ballistic shields through this turnover period.
Funding is available in the 2025 budget in account 255-3536-421.61-40.
Local preference does not apply when using a cooperative purchase program.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
This purchase is vital to the protection of our police first responders during times where the threat of deadly force against responding officers is present. One of these shields is a rifle-rated shield intended to outfit first-responding patrol supervisors, and thirty of these shields are pistol-rated, and will be utilized by our first responding patrol officers.
In addition, accessories related to the purchase of these shields will be purchased, including POLICE stencils, and padded shield carry bags.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
To approve the purchase of 31 United Shield Brand Ballistic Shields and accessories from MES/Lawmen Supply of Deer Creek, Illinois through the Sourcewell Cooperative Contract #090122-MES.
cc: Public Health, Safety, and Transportation Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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A Resolution approve the purchase of 31 United Shield Brand Ballistic Shields and accessories from MES/Lawmen Supply of Deer Creek, Illinois in the amount of $70,000.00.
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WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, the 2025 budget has approved a decision package to purchase ballistic shields for the Aurora Police Department; and
WHEREAS, the pricing for these ballistic shields was received through the Sourcewell Cooperative Contract #090122-MES; and
WHEREAS, Funds have been budgeted in 2025 in account number 255-3536-421.61.40;)
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: approve the purchase of 31 United Shield Brand Ballistic Shields and accessories from MES/Lawmen Supply of Deer Creek, Illinois in an amount not to exceed $70,000.00, and the Director of Purchasing to issue the necessary orders.