TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: A. Jerome Fletcher II, ICMA-CM, MPA, City Manager
TITLE: Approve Award of Request for Bid 2026-18 for Purchase of Duty Handguns and Accessories From GT Distributors, Inc. in the Total Amount of $198,300.72.
Recommended Action
Option 1: Approve Award of Request for Bid (RFB) 2026-18 for purchase of duty handguns and accessories from GT Distributors, Inc, in the total amount of $198,300.72.
City Commission Options
Option 1: Approve Award of Request for Bid 2026-18 for purchase of duty handguns and accessories from GT Distributors, Inc. in the total amount of $198,300.72.
• Pros: The purchase of firearms equipped to accommodate optical red-dot sights enhance Officer accuracy and enable faster target acquisition, improving overall effectiveness in critical use-of-force situations which ultimately increases Officer safety and reduces the risk to the public during critical incidents.
• Cons: Requires a significant upfront financial investment from the North Port Police Department to replace existing firearms, which may limit funding available for other departmental priorities.
Option 2: Deny Award of Request for Bid 2026-18 for purchase of duty handguns and accessories from GT Distributors, Inc. in the total amount of $198,300.72.
• Pros: Avoids using current North Port Police Department funds, allowing resources to remain available for other departmental priorities.
• Cons: The North Port Police Department’s current firearms do not support modern red-dot optics. If the request is denied, Officers will be unable to utilize this technology, potentially reducing Officer safety and increasing risk to the public during critical incidents.
Background Information
The City of North Port Police Department issued a solicitation to Florida-qualified Glock Law Enforcement Distributors for the purchase of duty pistols and associated accessories, consistent with the Department’s standardization on the Glock 9mm platform. The request includes a one-time purchase of 175 pistols, along with necessary accessories, and incorporates the trade-in of existing Department-issued firearms and weapon lights. Trade-in values were factored into the overall evaluation, with equipment accepted on an “as-is” basis.
Request for Bid (RFB) No. 2026-18 was distributed on February 27, 2026.The solicitation was distributed to thirty-six (36) vendors, and three (3) supplemental suppliers, GT Distributors, Lawmen’s & Shooters Supply Inc., and Lou’s Police Distributors, Inc. These three (3) vendors are the Glock L.E. Distributors in Florida. The bid closed on March 26, 2026, at 2:00 p.m., three (3) bids were received and evaluated. The apparent low bidder, Lou’s Police Distributors, Inc., notified the City of a pricing error in its bid submission. In accordance with standard public procurement policies, and to preserve the integrity of the competitive bidding process, bidders are not permitted to modify pricing after the formal bid opening. Accordingly, Lou’s Police Distributors, Inc. was deemed non-responsive and disqualified from further consideration.
Based on the evaluation of the remaining bids, staff recommends award to GT Distributors, Inc. as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. This request supports the Department’s transition from the current Glock 17 (Gen 5) firearms, which do not accommodate modern optic systems, to the Glock 45 (Gen 6) platform designed for red-dot optic integration. This upgrade will provide Officers with enhanced capabilities, including improved accuracy and faster target acquisition, particularly in high-stress, critical incidents. Overall, the transition reflects a continued commitment to equipping personnel with modern, effective tools that promote Officer safety while helping to reduce potential risk to the public.
Strategic Plan Pillar
Safe Community
Financial Impact
Funding in the amount of $198,300.72 has been allocated in the Fiscal Year 2026 North Port Police Department budget, account number 001-2100-521.52-50 Minor Operating Equipment.
Procurement
RFB No. 2026-18 was procured pursuant to Chapter 2 - Administration, Article VIII - Procurement, Section 2-404, Competitive Sealed Bid Process of the Code of the City of North Port, Florida.
Vendor Information:
GT Distributors, Inc.
1124 New Meister Lane, Suite 100
Pflugerville, TX, 78660
Attachments:
1. Notice of Intent to Award
2. Award Recommendation Memo
3. Bid Tabulation
4. GT Distributors, Inc. Submittal
5. RFB No. 2026-18
6. Due Diligence Review
7. Florida Division of Corporations
Prepared by: Christopher Morales, Deputy Chief of Police
Chelsey Rodgers, Purchasing Agent, Business Division
Jamie Ebershoff, Executive Assistant
Department Director: Todd R. Garrison, Chief of Police