Ballistic Equipment

Project Description: Hillsborough County intends to recommend the award of a sole source procurement to Fire Armor L.L.C. for the purchase of ballistic equipment kits for a one (1)-time purchase at a total cost of $91,558.86. Hillsborough County’s Fire Rescue Department already possesses 585 sets of this equipment, and the additional sets will allow more vehicles to be outfitted with identical ballistic gear, ensuring operational consistency and standardization across the department. This alignment helps ensure personnel have appropriate protection in high‑risk situations. The continued use of Fire Armor ballistic systems is based on their NIJ certification, comprehensive 360‑degree protection, and their compliance with all operational, safety, training, and compatibility requirements for Fire Rescue personnel. This procurement is being made in accordance with Section 3‑205(2)(b) of the County’s Procurement Policy, as Fire Armor L.L.C. is the manufacturer and sole provider of this armor system. The County reserves the right to extend the term, adjust the scope of services as conditions or requirements evolve, and increase the resulting award as needed.
This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals/bids.
Contractors who are able and interested in providing all the identified propriety parts and goods must submit clear and convincing information to support a challenge to the intended award. Challenges to this procurement must be received no later than the specified Close Date of this Sole Source notice and must be submitted using the “submission” section in EUNA Procurement for this particular procurement. Absent any challenges, an award will likely be made after the Close Date.
The County will review properly submitted challenges (responses) to determine whether bona fide competition exists. Any such responses received by the deadline will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct this procurement as a competitive solicitation.