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Committee approves Meridian Archer barriers purchase for World Cup events
Summary
The Overland Park Public Safety Committee recommended waiving bids and authorized purchase of 55 Meridian Archer vehicle-mitigation barriers, a rapid gate kit and trailers not to exceed $564,797.43 using World Cup contingency funds.
The Public Safety Committee recommended city council approval on March 11 to buy a Meridian Archer vehicle-mitigation barrier system for use at World Cup and other large events.
Major Kyle Ivingood, who led the presentation, said staff “recommend approval to waive the bid process and authorize purchase ... in an amount not to exceed $564,797.43” using World Cup contingency funds. He told the committee the package includes 55 ballistic-rated steel barriers, a rapid gate kit and two drop-deck trailers and that the system is faster to deploy and more durable than the city’s existing plastic water barriers.
Committee members asked where the barriers would be used and whether the 55-count was sufficient; staff said the number was sized to cover the Clock Tower Landing footprint and that rental options exist for events larger than the system’s coverage. A committee member also asked whether federal grants might reimburse costs; staff said grant applications have been pursued previously but none were available yet and the city will continue to seek funding opportunities.
The committee moved to recommend waiving the bid process and authorizing purchase under the GSA cooperative purchasing agreement; an affirmative voice vote carried the motion at the meeting. The purchase will be funded from World Cup contingency funds and the agreement would be with Meridian Rapid Defense Group.
