It is recommended that the Mayor and City Commission approve the award of a contract for purchase and delivery of ammunition for the Police Department to: Lawmen’s & Shooters’ Supply, Inc., as primary vendor for line items A4, A5, and B1, and secondary vendor for line items A3, B2, and B3; and Ammo by Us, Inc., as primary vendor for line items A3, B2, and B3, and secondary vendor for line item B1. The item also authorizes the City Manager and City Clerk to execute the contracts.

The City’s Police Department requires the supply and delivery of various types of ammunition for its operations.   

The purpose of the ITB is to establish a contract, by means of sealed bids, with qualified vendors to establish a contract to satisfy the ammunition needs of the Police Department. The City previously attained these goods through spot market purchases. However, it has been determined that a contract will result in lower prices and a commitment from contractors to supply the department with the required items. 

The proposed term is a three (3) year contract with two (2) one (1) year renewal terms.

The ITB was issued on November 19, 2021, with a bid opening date of December 15, 2021. The Procurement Department issued bid notices to 32 prospective bidders accessing the advertised solicitation. The notices resulted in three (3) responses: Ammo by Us, Inc.; Lawmen’s & Shooters’ Supply, Inc.; and NPEE L.C d/b/a National Police Ammo. A tabulation of bids received is included in Attachment A.

The bid response submitted by NPEE L.C d/b/a National Police Ammo was deemed non-responsive to the ITB for failure to include a completed Appendix B - Cost Proposal Form. Therefore, its submittal received no further consideration.

The ITB stated that the lowest responsive, responsible bidder(s) meeting all terms, conditions, and specifications of the ITB would be recommended for award. The Procurement and Police Departments have verified that the two (2) lowest responsive and responsible bidders, Ammo by Us, Inc. (“Ammo by Us”) and Lawmen’s & Shooters’ Supply (“Lawmen’s”), Inc. comply with the requirements of the ITB.

The ITB states that “… the lowest responsive, responsible bidder(s) meeting all terms, conditions, and specifications of the ITB will be recommended for award by bid item, bid group, or for the entirety of all bid items, as deemed in the best interest of the City…” In order to ensure that the City benefits from the lowest cost, it is in the best interest of the City to award by line item’s for both groups.  As a result, the City will realize savings of over  $13,000. A summary of the line item award is as indicated below.

A brief description of the lowest responsive and responsible bidder is below.

AMMO BY US, INC.

Ammo By Us, Inc. (“Ammo by Us”) is a minority-owned ammunition wholesale company founded in 2020. Ammo by Us is a member of the National Rifle Association and National African American Gun Association. The firm provides traditional jacketed rounds and contract services to provide custom solutions for any ammunition needs that its customers might have. With the help of its state-of-the-art laser inspection machine, every round that leaves their facility undergoes a complete dimensional evaluation to ensure that their customers receive the best product possible.

LAWMEN’S & SHOOTERS’ SUPPLY, INC.

Lawmen’s & Shooters’ Supply, Inc. (“Lawmen’s”) has been in operation for over 30 years specializing in distributing law enforcement equipment and assisting agencies in testing and evaluating products while bringing their knowledge, experience, and expertise to the field.

According to the 2019 Community Satisfaction Survey conducted by ETC Institute (the “Survey”), police services has received over 72% of community satisfaction, up 6% since 2016 and ranks highest among City Services, at 17.1% out of 100%. The services related to this ITB are crucial to the operations of the Police Department.

Staff performed a cost analysis to determine whether the fiscal impact is in the City's best interest. The City will save an average of $5,000.00 annually on 9mm duty round ammunition (line item A3) and pay an average of 29% lower costs for all other ammunition awarded under this contract compared to the open market. Purchases pursuant to the award of the ITB shall be subject to funds availability approved through the City’s budgeting process. Grant funding will not be utilized for this project.

Based on the foregoing, I recommend that the Mayor and City Commission of the City of Miami Beach, Florida, accept the recommendation, pursuant to Invitation to Bid (ITB) No. 2022-095-DF, to award a contract to Lawmen’s & Shooters’ Supply, Inc. as primary vendor for line items A4, A5, and B1, and secondary vendor for line items A3, B2, and B3; and Ammo by Us, Inc. as primary vendor for line items A3, B2, and B3, and secondary vendor for line item B1 as the lowest responsive and responsible bidders for purchase and delivery of ammunition; and, further authorize the City Manager and City Clerk to execute the contracts.