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City buys 31 ballistic vests for public safety at $27,745; purchase $2,300 over budget
Summary
Council approved purchase of 31 ballistic vests (Point Blank AX24) for the Department of Public Safety at a total cost of $27,745, about $2,300 above the line-item budget; vendor selected was Leon's Uniform Company subject to delivery and specification compliance.
The Mexico City Council on Aug. 25 approved the purchase of 31 ballistic vests for the Department of Public Safety at a total price of $27,745, a staff presentation said, which is approximately $2,300 over the amount budgeted but can be covered by savings in other line items.
Public Safety Chief Bridal Mestar reviewed the bid process and recommended buying Point Blank AX24 vests at $895 per vest from Leon’s Uniform Company in St. Louis, subject to delivery timelines and specification compliance. "Staff recommends that council approve the purchase of 31 Point Blank AX24 vests... total of $27,745," Mestar said, describing tests showing all submitted vests met NIJ protection standards.
Chief Mestar said the city solicited sealed bids for up to 35 vests and received five submissions; two vendors did not submit qualifying bids. Staff tested samples and said officers’ feedback produced roughly a 50/50 split in preference between the Point Blank AX24 and a Safariland model. The recommended purchase includes two carriers per vest.
Council approved the purchase after discussion about vendor history, officer comfort with samples, and the fact the award exceeds the original vest budget by about $2,300; staff said the excess would be covered from savings in other line items in the 2024–25 equipment budget.
