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PROPOSED CONTRACT AMENDMENT
Department(s): Emergency Management & Regional Security
Vendor: Meridian Rapid Defense Group, LLC, Pasadena, California
Request: Authorization for the Chief Procurement Officer to increase and extension contract
Good(s) or Service(s): Portable Vehicle Impact Devices - Meridian Barriers and Trailers
Original Contract Period: 1/1/2025 - 11/30/2025, with one (1), 10-month renewal option
Proposed Amendment Type: Increase and Extension
Proposed Contract Period: 11/1/2026 - 9/20/2027
Total Current Contract Amount Authority: $500,000.00
Original Approval (Board or Procurement): Board 12/19/2024, $442,394.57
Increase Requested: $1,000,000.00
Previous Board Increase(s): N/A
Previous Chief Procurement Officer Increase(s): 1/16/2026, $57,605.43
Previous Board Renewals: N/A
Previous Chief Procurement Officer Renewals: 1/16/2026, 12/1/2025-10/31/2026
Previous Board Extension(s): N/A
Previous Chief Procurement Officer Extension(s): N/A
Contract Utilization: The contract-specific goal set on this contract was zero.
Potential Fiscal Impact: FY 2027 $1,000,000.00
Accounts: 11900.1265.53967.560156; 11900.1265.54214.56015
Contract Number(s): 2406-07250
Summary: This increase and extension will allow Emergency Management & Regional Security to continue to receive Portable Vehicle Impact Devices - Meridian Barriers and Trailers.
This particular asset has become an essential tool for local municipalities to keep public gatherings safe and is one of the most utilized assets in the EMRS equipment catalog. The asset prevents vehicles from being used as weapons particularly at large scale events. This contract utilizes a City of Chicago reference contract that expires in September 2027 and EMRS intends to purchase the equipment prior to that expiration. This contract is fully funded out of Urban Area Security Initiative grant funds.
Meridian barriers have been and will continue to be used by the Department of Emergency Management & Regional Security (EMRS) and its public safety stakeholders to mitigate potential and growing threats to public safety; specifically, acts of terrorism and/or targeted violence against residents and visitors attending large-scale public events, or to temporarily enhance physical protection. These anti-vehicle barriers, which can be rapidly deployed using purpose-built, drop-deck trailers, which are included in this project request, would support EMRS’ public safety stakeholders by providing a primary or backup security system for entry points, roadways, and perimeters to mitigate vehicle-borne threats to the public
This is a Comparable Government Procurement pursuant to Section 34-140 of the Cook County Procurement Code. Meridian Rapid Defense Group, LLC was previously awarded a contract by the City of Chicago through an Invitation for Bids (IFB). Cook County wishes to leverage this procurement effort to protect Critical Infrastructure and Key Resources (CIKR) located within Cook County.
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