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Santa Ana Unified board authorizes use of statewide piggyback contract to replace police vehicles after debate on fleet condition
Summary
After detailed questioning about fleet readiness, repairs and costs, the board authorized use of a statewide piggyback contract to purchase three fully outfitted police vehicles (estimated ~$94,000 each) to replace aging units; trustees pressed staff for phased replacement and grant-seeking alternatives.
The Santa Ana Unified School District board voted Dec. 9 to authorize staff to use a statewide piggyback (CMAS) contract to purchase enforcement vehicles from Folsom Lake Ford.
Staff explained the piggyback process as a way to leverage another public agency's competitive bid to achieve lower pricing and quicker procurement. Ron Hacker, director of purchasing, said the contract being used expires in 2027 and that pricing was competitive compared with a district bid earlier in the year.
Chief Mansea described the district's fleet and operational needs: the department has 27 vehicles assigned to its fleet (including motorcycles and an Explorer van), about 12 working patrol vehicles on a typical day and several vehicles out of service pending repairs. The chief said 3 vehicles were near end of life and prioritized for replacement to reduce safety and liability risks. Risk management added that vehicle failures during responses present significant liability exposure.
Trustees pressed staff on costs, outfitting and alternatives: a staff estimate showed a vehicle base price and initial outfitting from the manufacturer brought a per-vehicle figure to roughly $65,000, with further equipment (radios, mobile data computers) bringing the total to about $94,000 per fully equipped vehicle. Trustees asked whether electric or alternative models had been considered and whether grants were available; staff said they were not aware of competitive grants for police vehicle purchases but could pursue legislative or other funding opportunities.
Trustees expressed concern about transparency and fleet planning; several asked for a staged, multiyear replacement plan rather than buying all vehicles at once. Staff said the board's action authorizes the procurement mechanism rather than obligates immediate purchase of the full three-year projection and that purchases will appear on PO reports.
After questions, the board approved the authorization to utilize the statewide piggyback contract (contract number presented in agenda) to allow the district to purchase the vehicles; the motion carried 5-0.
