Danbury Board of Awards approves multiple procurements, extends tax collection agreement

The Danbury Board of Awards met June 3 and approved a package of procurement actions and contract renewals affecting multiple city departments, the board’s purchasing agent said.

Purchasing agent Chuck Lopi opened the meeting and noted eight items on the agenda, including an 8th modification to the city’s professional services agreement with TaxServ Capital Services for tax collection. "The 8th modification exercises the 1st of those 2 options," Lopi said, extending the agreement to April 1, 2027. The modification does not change the fee structure: TaxServ remains compensated as a percentage of collections, and the amendment clarifies that all types of city tax and non‑tax receivables may be placed with TaxServ for collection. Tax collector Sean Devas moved the measure and the board approved the modification; the chair announced the motion carried unanimously.

The board also awarded a unit‑price heavy equipment rental and trade labor contract for 2026–2027 after receiving eight bids. Staff emphasized that the director of public works or designee may prequalify contractors for specific projects, and that emergency and supplemental work may be authorized under the procedures set out in the city's code of ordinances. The board approved awarding by item or group of items and authorized purchase orders and contracts as needed.

The Forestry Department will purchase an Altec LR860‑E70 articulating aerial device with chipper box from Altec Industries at a quoted price of $232,870 via Sourcewell quotation; the board approved that purchase order. The record includes one line in which a board member (Kevin Anderson) was recorded as "not in favor," but the chair announced the motion carried. The transcript contains inconsistent vote lines for that item; the final announcement was that the motion carried.

On safety apparel, the board extended one vendor’s contract for one year and another vendor’s contract for six months. Brigham Industries agreed to a one‑year extension with modest price adjustments on specific items (for example, front shields increased from $82 to $85 for a firefighter and from $264 to $275 for a chief’s shield). Fire Tech & Safety of New England agreed to hold current prices for six months because of tariff uncertainty; the board approved both extensions and directed purchase orders as needed.

The board approved a change in recruit training for the Danbury Fire Department. A memo submitted by the chief recommended using the Bridgeport Fire Academy rather than the Connecticut Fire Academy for the summer 2026 recruit class, citing an urban training model and lower cost. "Cost is $4,500 per student," the purchasing agent read from the memo; EMT certification is optional at an additional $1,200 per student. The Connecticut Fire Academy cost was listed in the memo as $8,685 per student. The motion to accept the Bridgeport Academy and the quoted budget passed unanimously.

For custodial services, Preferred Cleaning — the incumbent vendor for public buildings — was offered a one‑year renewal for fiscal 2026–27 with a 3% price increase, but the superintendent of public buildings had raised concerns about service quality during the current contract year. Staff reported meetings with the vendor and recommended exercising the renewal while placing the vendor on a 90‑day probationary period for closer oversight; the board approved the renewal and probation.

Public Utilities requested a sole‑source purchase of a Rausch C90 HDCCTV sewer inspection camera from Sanitary Equipment Company (the record states the company is the sole Connecticut distributor) for $59,730.75. The board approved the sole‑source award after staff presented compatibility and manufacturer confirmation.

Finally, the board reviewed bids for emergency vehicle upfitting. Staff recommended Precision Brake Works based on local service availability, consistent workmanship and a lifetime warranty on wiring; three bids were received (Precision Brake Works, Dana Safety Supply, McGovern MHQ). A motion to award to Precision Brake Works was made, but the provided transcript ends during the call for votes and a recorded final outcome for that item is not present in the supplied segments.

Votes at a glance: 1) TaxServ contract 8th modification — approved (extension to 04/01/2027; fee structure unchanged). 2) Heavy equipment rental/trade labor (2026–2027) — awarded (unit‑price; purchase orders/contracts as needed). 3) Altec LR860‑E70 — purchase approved (quoted $232,870; transcript vote lines inconsistent). 4) Safety apparel — Brigham Industries extended one year (price adjustments); Fire Tech & Safety extended six months — both approved. 5) Fire recruit training — shift to Bridgeport Fire Academy approved ($4,500 per student; EMT optional $1,200). 6) Custodial services — Preferred Cleaning renewal with 3% increase and 90‑day probation approved. 7) Rausch C90 sewer camera (sole source) — awarded ($59,730.75). 8) Emergency vehicle upfitting — recommendation to Precision Brake Works; final vote not captured in provided transcript.

The board moved through the agenda without extended debate on the items and recorded predominantly unanimous approvals; the meeting concluded after the last agenda item. The transcript contains some inconsistent vote lines (notably on the Altec purchase) and an incomplete vote capture on the last item; those discrepancies are noted for the record and flagged in the meeting audit.