Project Information

Bid Title

NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD A SOLE/SINGLE SOURCE PROCUREMENT: CARNA BUNKER GEAR

Issuing Agency

City of North Port

Location

Florida

Published Date

Jul 7, 2026

Closing Date

Jul 14, 2026

Government Level

State & Local

Status

Closed

Original Source

Join to Access Full Details

Bid Inquiries

Join to Access Full Details

Bid Documents

Join to Access Full Details

Project Description

NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD A SOLE/SINGLE SOURCE PROCUREMENT: CARNA BUNKER GEAR City of North Port, Florida sent this bulletin at 07/07/2026 12:36 PM EDT

City of North Port FINANCE DEPARTMENT/PURCHASING DIVISION 4970 CITY HALL BLVD NORTH PORT, FLORIDA 34286 Office:  941.429.7170 Fax:  941.429.7173 Email:  purchasing@northportfl.gov NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD A SOLE/SINGLE SOURCE PROCUREMENTSole/Single Source No:  SS NO. 26-88 Date Posted: JULY 7, 2026 Written Response Due Date: JULY 14, 2026 This is not a formal solicitation and there are no submissions required. The proposed contract action is for products or services for which the City intends to negotiate and award with only one contractor/vendor under the authority of and in accordance with Florida State Statute 287.057(5)(c). Any responses received as a result of this Notice of Intent shall be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct competitive procurement. Responses will not be considered as proposals, bids, or quotes. DESCRIPTION OF SERVICE/PRODUCT: Training Bunker Gear - Carcinogen-Free, PFAS-Free Structural Firefighter Training Gear Configuration AMOUNT (This is an acquisition with an estimated value of): $29,300.00 VENDOR: CARNA BUNKER GEAR Interested firms or individuals may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement by submitting in writing their name, address, point of contact, telephone number, e-mail, and a statement regarding capability to provide the specified procurement per the attached specifications. Interested firms will be considered only if they respond with clear and convincing documentation that they are capable of meeting or exceeding the requirements stated herein.  All responses received within seven (7) calendar days after the date of publication of this synopsis will be reviewed by the City.  A determination by the Procurement Manager not to compete this proposed action based on the responses to this notice is solely within the discretion and approval of the Procurement Manager and City Manager. All sole/single source purchases exceeding the formal threshold indicated in the policies and procedures manual will require Commission Approval. All responses must be in writing and returned to ATTENTION: PURCHASING, City of North Port, 4970 City Hall Boulevard, Suite 337, North Port, Florida, 34286 or by: Fax 941-429-7173, or by e-mail purchasing@northportfl.gov .  Note the number of the Sole Source Information inquiry on documentation. Information regarding this Intent may be viewed and downloaded from DemandStar’s website at www.demandstar.com . Links to DemandStar are also available from the City website at www.northportfl.gov .This Notice of Intent is posted on the City FTP site at https://northportfl.gov/fileshare . If you have any questions, concerns, or problems accessing this request using the link, please contact Michael White, Contract Administrator I, at 941.429.7174.  Request for additional information or clarification regarding the specifications must be sent via facsimile to 941.429.7173 or via email to purchasing@northportfl.gov . No verbal requests will be honored. . SS26-88 Notice of Intent- CARNA BUNKER GEAR COMPLETE PACKET.PDF

Update your subscriptions, modify your password or email address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page . You will need to use your email address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please visit subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com .

This service is provided to you at no charge by City of North Port, Florida .

Attachment Preview

City of North Port

FINANCE DEPARTMENT/PURCHASING DIVISION

4970 CITY HALL BLVD

NORTH PORT, FLORIDA 34286

Office: 941.429.7170

Fax: 941.429.7173

Email: purchasing@northportfl.gov

NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD A SOLE/SINGLE SOURCE PROCUREMENT

Sole/Single Source No: SS NO. 26-88

Date Posted: JULY 7, 2026

Written Response Due Date: JULY 14, 2026

This is not a formal solicitation and there are no submissions required. The proposed contract action is for products or

services for which the City intends to negotiate and award with only one contractor/vendor under the authority of and

in accordance with Florida State Statute 287.057(5)(c). Any responses received as a result of this Notice of Intent shall

be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct competitive procurement. Responses will not

be considered as proposals, bids, or quotes.

• DESCRIPTION OF SERVICE/PRODUCT: Training Bunker Gear - Carcinogen-Free, PFAS-

Free Structural Firefighter Training Gear Configuration

• AMOUNT (This is an acquisition with an estimated value of): $29,300.00

• VENDOR: CARNA BUNKER GEAR

Interested firms or individuals may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement by submitting in

writing their name, address, point of contact, telephone number, e-mail, and a statement regarding capability to

provide the specified procurement per the attached specifications. Interested firms will be considered only if they

respond with clear and convincing documentation that they can meet or exceed the requirements stated herein. All

responses received within seven (7) calendar days after the date of publication of this synopsis will be reviewed by the

City. A determination by the Procurement Manager not to complete this proposed action based on the responses to

this notice is solely within the discretion and approval of the Procurement Manager and City Manager.

All sole/single source purchases exceeding the formal threshold indicated in the policies and procedures manual will

require Commission Approval.

All responses must be in writing and returned to ATTENTION: PURCHASING, City of North Port, 4970 City Hall

Boulevard, Suite 337, North Port, Florida, 34286 or by: Fax 941-429-7173, or by e-mail purchasing@northportfl.gov.

Note the number of the Sole Source Information inquiry on documentation.

Information regarding this Intent may be viewed and downloaded from DemandStar’s website at

www.demandstar.com. Links to DemandStar are also available from the City website at www.northportfl.gov .This

Notice of Intent is posted on the City FTP site at https://northportfl.gov/fileshare . If you have any questions, concerns,

or problems accessing this request using the link, please contact Michael White, Contract Administrator I, at

941.429.7174. Request for additional information or clarification regarding the specifications must be sent via

facsimile to 941.429.7173 or via email to purchasing@northportfl.gov. No verbal requests will be honored.

SS NO. 26-88

Page 1

Verification of Sole Source

1. Statement of Need & Scope

The Fire Rescue Department requires a specialized, dedicated training gear solution to outfit personnel

during non-live-burn training operations (e.g., drill yard ops, hose line deployment, ladder drills, physical

agility training). The objective is dual-fold: to mitigate cumulative firefighter cancer risks by eliminating

dermal exposure to polyfluorinated chemicals (PFAS) and flame retardants during routine training, and to

significantly extend the performance lifecycle and factory specifications of frontline, NFPA-certified

structural firefighting PPE by reducing unnecessary wash cycles and physical wear.

2. Technical Justification & Proprietary Features

Based on exhaustive market research and vendor technical documentation, Carna Bunker Gear LLC is the

sole manufacturer and source for this specific training-specific configuration. Standard structural firefighting

PPE manufacturers design, manufacture, and certify gear exclusively to NFPA 1971 standards. By definition,

NFPA-compliant gear historically utilizes chemical moisture barriers and outer shells treated with

intentionally added flame retardants and fluorinated compounds (PFAS) for thermal and fluid protection.

Carna Bunker Gear is uniquely engineered under a proprietary, patented design framework to deliberately

omit these chemicals.

• PFAS-Free and Carcinogen-Free Base Materials: Manufactured utilizing untreated fabrics

completely free of PFAS, PFOS, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and organophosphate flame

retardants (OPFRs).

• True-to-Performance Form Factor: While technically uncertified for Immediately Dangerous to Life

or Health (IDLH) or thermal environments, the gear specifically mimics standard structural firefighting

gear in exact dimensions, bulk, weight, and heat-retention characteristics. This ensures job-specific

training fidelity and critical thermal acclimation without the associated toxicological exposure.

• NFPA 1850 Public Outreach Compliance: The vendor provides a dedicated Public Information

Officer (PIO) outer shell configuration lacking thermal liners, satisfying the health and safety intent of

NFPA 1850 (A.4.6.3) regarding public demonstration restrictions.

3. Market Research & Single-Source Determination

A competitive market survey confirms that alternative turnout gear providers (e.g., Lion, Fire-Dex, Globe,

Innotex) do not offer or manufacture a non-certified, chemical-free, training-only equivalent designed to

bypass the traditional NFPA thermal chemical treatment pipeline. Carna Bunker Gear LLC holds the

exclusive patent rights for this specific training turnout application, stepping into a vacant marketplace.

Consequently, competition is precluded by the proprietary nature of the design, and Carna Bunker Gear LLC

is determined to be the Single-Source Provider.

4. Price Reasonableness & Cost Benefit

The cost per unit is highly favorable compared to standard structural gear lines ($1,800 vs. $3,500+ for

standard frontline turnouts). Furthermore, extending the lifecycle of frontline structural gear—which

traditionally degrades rapidly after 10 to 40 wash/decon cycles—will result in quantifiable downstream

municipal savings regarding premature PPE replacement schedules, worker's compensation, and light-duty

administrative strain.

SS NO. 26-88

Page 1

5. Patent Verification

SS NO. 26-88

Page 1

Request

Request Type *

Sole/Single Source/Standardization

Preparer

Kristina Smith

Pre-Director Approver(s) (?)

1

Deanna Marshall

Department *

FIRE

Commission Meeting? *

Yes No

Procurement Request

City of North Port

Capital? (?)

No Yes

PRR-EX (?) *

No Yes

Commission Override (?)

Yes No

Name

Division(s)

FY *

2026

Type code *

Purchase

Payment Method *

Purchase Type *

Purchase SubType *

Visa Purchase Purchase Order

Single Purchase (current FY)

None Change Order

Payment Authorization

Blanket Purchase (current FY)

Amendment

Description *

Non PFAS training bunker gear for cadets.

Section 2-407 of the City of North Port Procurement Code provides guidelines for determining if good(s) or service(s) is/are a sole/single source. All

Sole/Single source requests will be posted on DemandStar & the City’s Purchasing site for seven (7) calendar days.

Exemption Explanation (?) *

Training bunker gear PFAS Free - There is no other like item or product available for purchase that would serve the same purpose or

function and there is only one price for the above-named item or product because of exclusive distribution or marketing rights

Steps taken to verify these goods and/or services are not available elsewhere (?) *

Personnel researched extensively, no other vendor found for PFAS free training bunker gear.

Other vendors that were contacted (?) *

N/A

Additional Approvals

Grant? *

Yes No

Technology Related? (?) *

Yes Renewal No

Exemption

Reason *

Attach documentation from the manufacturer certifying the vendor selected is the only distributor/dealer/contractor for the products or services in question and/or holds the

production, unique capability, copyrights, trademark, and/or patent to the item, and check the following applicable statement(s):

Patent, copyright or unique design restrictions. (Sole Source)

Proprietary rights in technical data and/or product formulations (e.g. cleaning compounds, lubricating oils, paint, etc.), which can only be determined through

extensive laboratory analysis and examination. (Sole Source)

Only producer, such as utility supplier or construction material supplier, that will meet the specialized needs of the department or perform the intended function.

(Sole Source)

Direct replacement parts, equipment or supplies that must be compatible with original equipment already installed but available only from the original equipment

manufacturer. Most manufacturers have more than one dealer or distributor for their products. When this is the case, competition between dealers and/or

distributors may be possible, eliminating the “sole or single source” restriction. (Single Source)

When tests and/or demonstrations of equipment, supplies, part, etc. under actual operating conditions reveal superior quality, performance, design or other

characteristics in a brand product(s), which is available from only one source. Testing must be performed as often as practical. (Single Source)

Purchases for a brand product are to be made from one selected supplier, even though there are other suppliers that provide similar products. Options, such as

pricing, availability, servicing, have been vetted and a supplier has been chosen that best meets the City’s needs. (Single Source)

Maintenance, repair services or warranty which require specialized test equipment, procedures, and technical expertise available only from the original

equipment manufacturer or authorized/licensed dealer/field service representative. (Single Source)

The part(s)/equipment are required to permit standardization and operating efficiencies within the organization and the parts and equipment are only available

thorough a sole or single source. If competition is available, the parts and equipment must be competed. For brand-specific items, quotes should still be

obtained. (Standardization)

Other: None or some of the above apply. Provide detailed justification below.

Explanation *

U.S. Pat. No. 11,826,595

Agreement in Place? *

Yes No

Supporting backup *

Click the Preview icon or right click link and select open in new tab or window to avoid downloading.

Carna Bunker Gear Sole Source Vendor Letter.pdf

117.74KB

DemandStar

For Purchasing Division

Date Posted

Sole/Single Source Number

Purchase Details

Effective Date

Expiration Date

Line Items

Item #

Description *

1

Training bunker gear

Unit of

Measure

ea

Quantity *

Unit Price *

Subtotal

20.00

$1,450.00

Shipping (?) *

$300.00

Total Charges

$29,300.00

$29,000.00

Accounts (?)

Dept *

1

2

Comments to Budget (?)

Account # (?) *

001-2222-526.52-08

110-2222-522.52-08

Total Payments

$29,300.00

Project #

Amount *

$14,650.00

$14,650.00

Backup Attachments

Click the Preview icon or right click link and select Open link in new tab or window to avoid downloading.

Commodity Codes

• NAICS 541511Custom Computer Programming Services
• NAICS 541512Computer Systems Design Services

* Disclaimer: Government BidHub provides information on bids, RFPs (Requests for Proposals), and RFQs (Requests for Qualifications) solely for convenience and informational purposes. This site is not an official public notice board. For official details, responses, or inquiries, please contact the relevant government agency directly.