Title
Consider and take action on a resolution authorizing the purchase of a Lenco Bearcat Special Missions Rescue Vehicle for an amount not to exceed $430,757 (Chief of Police)
Background:
Approval of this item will authorize the purchase of a special missions rescue vehicle to replace our aging and non-operational rescue vehicles.
The League City Police Department is currently utilizing a Light Armored Vehicle (LAV-150) that has been in service for over 30 years. This vehicle was acquired at no cost from the Houston Police Department in 2018. The LAV provided reliable service to the Houston Police Department for approximately 25 years before being replaced due to its age and ongoing mechanical issues. The League City Police Department saw value in the LAV due to our lack of an easily maneuverable rescue vehicle, and the acquisition was formalized through an Interlocal Agreement, which received Council approval on July 24, 2018 (Resolution #2018-94). Since its integration into our fleet, the LAV has proven to be a valuable asset in various high-risk operations, primarily due to its size and maneuverability compared to the other armored vehicle options in our inventory. However, over the past year, the LAV has increasingly faced mechanical challenges, resulting in its inability to respond to several critical high-risk incidents. The situation escalated in early September 2025, when the vehicle experienced a catastrophic engine failure, rendering it inoperable. The police department is currently exploring potential repair solutions; however, the vehicle's age and the scarcity of replacement parts pose significant obstacles to this endeavor.
In addition to the LAV, the department has a Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle (MRAP) that was obtained at no cost from the United States military in 2013. This vehicle has provided essential protection for both our citizens and officers during numerous high-risk situations, including facilitating approximately 450 high-water rescues during Hurricane Harvey in 2017. Since then, the MRAP has encountered several mechanical issues, which have left it inoperable during emergency response calls, necessitating its towing back to the City’s vehicle maintenance facility. The MRAP's design, which is optimized for military use, limits its maneuverability in suburban and residential areas. Given its physical limitations and mounting mechanical problems, the MRAP is increasingly becoming an unreliable rescue vehicle for our community. If this request is approved, the MRAP will be retired and removed from the Police Department's fleet inventory.
To address these challenges, the police department has designed a purpose-built vehicle tailored to meet our specific operational needs. Lenco is recognized as the leading manufacturer of armored rescue vehicles in the United States and offers a vehicle model that aligns with our department's requirements. This new vehicle will be equipped with all necessary features for high-risk response capabilities, including the ability to navigate through forty inches of water for high-water rescue operations.
If approved, this acquisition will mark the introduction of the agency's first mission-specific rescue vehicle. The vehicle will be constructed on a Ford F-550 chassis and will utilize a Ford drivetrain, facilitating easier maintenance and upkeep to ensure it remains ready for deployment. We project that the Bearcat will have a service life exceeding 15 years, and the project will be funded through Asset Forfeiture Funds. The total cost for the vehicle is $430,757.00.
Attachments:
1. Proposed Resolution
2. Lenco Quote #110740 - BearCat
3. Lenco Sole Source Specifications - BearCat
4. Lenco Sole Source Letter
5. Lenco BearCat Photos
FUNDING
{x} If approved, a budget amendment is required to increase Asset Forfeiture Autos and Trucks account #2225225-5520 by $430,757. There is available cash in the fund for this purchase.
STRATEGIC PLANNING
{x} NOT APPLICABLE