1

Exhibit “A”

ATTACHMENT 1

BID SUMMARY COMMENTS

The following comments relate to the ‘*’ items in numerical order indicated on the BID Award Summary Memorandum.

14.Description of BID Item.

Life-Paks are utilized by paramedics on nearly every emergency medical incident. The equipment is utilized to obtain patient vital signs, numerous non-invasive oxygen levels, electro-cardiograms (EGK) that can be transmitted to local cardiac interventional facilities, among other important patient life signs. Life-Paks are also utilized to transmit patient data to the patient care report, eliminating the duplication of physically entering this data.

Advances in medical technology combined with the age of Fire Rescue’s cardiac monitor-defibrillator (Life-Pak) units suggest they be replaced in accordance with the department's Specialized Equipment Replacement Schedule. They have an estimated useful life of five (5) years and are currently scheduled for replacement.

The new upgraded Life-Pak 15 is far superior to the older model Life-Pak 12 which is no longer being produced. Life-Pak 15 has been developed to keep pace with rapidly evolving technology and changing American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines. The new unit is modular, programmable, and each section is independently upgradeable. The new LIFEPAK integrates all the following features into one compact lightweight unit:

  • cardiac twelve-lead EKG monitor
  • non-invasive pacemaker
  • cardiac defibrillator (both automatic and manual)
  • enhanced non-invasive blood pressure monitoring
  • pulse-oximetry (monitors oxygen saturation in the blood)
  • capnography (monitors carbon dioxide levels in exhaled air)
  • carbon-monoxide monitoring (monitors carbon-monoxide in exhaled air)
  • methemaglobin oxi-monitoring (monitors methemaglobin in exhaled air)
  • electrocardiogram (EKG) fax capabilities
  • biphasic waveform technology (a more efficient means of

delivering electrical energy to the heart)

Furthermore, the Life-Pak 15’s 12-Lead EKG monitoring capabilities are able to take into consideration the female heart size when evaluating the 12-Lead EKG. The monitor also evaluates the 12-Lead EKG every three seconds and will alert paramedics to changes in the 12-Lead EKG that is indicative of an acute myocardial infarction. The Life-Pak 15 features a built in fax/modem, eliminating the need for an external modem. 12-Lead EKGsmay be sent to any hospital; EKGs are used to help diagnose heart attacks and prepare hospital emergency room staff for incoming "cardiac alert" patients.

New AHA guidelines recommend paramedics document exhaled gases during resuscitation attempts. The end-tidal CO2 (capnography) module allows rescuers to monitor both intubated and non-intubated patient levels of exhaled carbon dioxide during resuscitation. It has also become a standard to monitor carbon-monoxide levels during firefighter rehabilitation after firefighting operations. This feature assists medical personnel in recognizing those that have been exposed to carbon-monoxide gases seen in fires. The methemeglobin monitor allows medical personnel to evaluate the methemeglobin levels in patients that may have been exposed to certain conditions and medications. The built-in blood pressure module allows a patient's blood pressure to be continuously monitored during treatment and transport.

The new Life-Pak 15 is fully compatible with other cardiac related equipment presently in use by the Fire Rescue Department, including the one-hundred eight (108) automated external defibrillators (AEDs) currently in service throughout the City.

19. The current price reflects a $5,399.25 discount and a $3,500.00 trade-in for the two (2) LIFEPAK 12’s. The discount represents the pre-negotiated discount and pricing from the NASPO Contract. The discount is the trade-in price is offered by Physio-Control; this is the value of the LIFEPAK to them for parts and servicing of other equipment still in use. The Fire Department recommends taking advantage of the total trade-in price of $7,000 as an alternative to auctioning these items since the market value fluctuates. Another consideration is the trade-in offer replaces equipment and will not cause the department to incur additional storage space.

23.Fire Department is utilizing the National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO) Contract which has negotiated pricing on LIFEPAK 15’s for the State of Florida. Physio-Control is the sole source provider for this brand; the Fire Department has maintained a business relationship with the vendor for several decades for procurement and service of this equipment. The LIFEPAK 15 brand is compatible with other rescue equipment in use such as AEDs and the Patient Record Management application.

27.Please see attachment B, Physio-Control contract, page 4, for terms.

33.The equipment is available for purchase through the attached National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO) Contract #SW300, precluding the need to go out for bid. Pricing is per NASPO Contract and validated by the attached quote. Additionally, the State of Florida participates in the NASPO. The City is also receiving a discount for the trade-in of two Life-Pak 12 units.