Meeting_Body
OPERATIONS, SAFETY, AND CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE COMMITTEE
NOVEMBER 20, 2025
Subject
SUBJECT: CHEMICAL FIRE SUPPRESSION TESTING AND CERTIFICATION
Action
ACTION: AWARD CONTRACT
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
AUTHORIZE the Chief Executive Officer to award a firm fixed unit rate Contract No. OP127011(2)0008370 to Majestic Fire Inc., DBA Kord Fire Protection, to provide chemical fire suppression testing, replacement and certification services in the Not-To-Exceed (NTE) amount of $819,035 for the three-year base period, $273,145 for option year one, and $273,145 for option year two, for a combined NTE amount of $1,365,325, effective March 1, 2026, subject to the resolution of any properly submitted protest(s), if any.
Issue
ISSUE
The existing fire suppression testing, replacement, and certification contract expires February 28, 2026. To avoid a lapse in service and continue providing these critical services, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements of the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) 25, and California Code of Regulations (CCR), a new contract award is required effective March 1, 2026.
Background
BACKGROUND
On February 24, 2020, Metro awarded a five-year, firm-fixed unit rate Contract No. OP59758-30003367 to Omega Fire Protection, Inc., DBA Kord Fire for systemwide regulatory annual and semi-annual inspection and certification of portable dry chemical, CO2, and Halon extinguishers, as well as Pyro, CO2, Halon, and FM200 flooding fire suppression systems. The scope of services includes inspection, testing, repair, recharging, certification, fusible link replacement, and hydrostatic testing of all integral components of chemical fire suppression systems and is performed to be in compliance with regulatory AHJ, NFPA 25, and CCR standards and requirements.
During the term of the existing contract, the scope of services expanded to include K Line (Crenshaw/LAX), LAX/Metro Transit Center, Regional Connector, Metro Headquarters Building, Union Station West Portal, and the Emergency Security Operations Center (ESOC). The existing contract currently includes inspections and certifications for 4,270 portable extinguishers and 96 flooding systems.
Under the current contract, Omega Fire Protection, Inc., DBA Kord Fire, has continued to provide satisfactory services, performing annual and semi-annual inspections and certifications for portable dry chemical, CO2, and Halon extinguishers, as well as Pyro, CO2, Halon, and FM200 flooding fire suppression systems.
In October of 2023, Omega Fire Inc., DBA Kord Fire Protection, Majestic Fire Inc., DBA Kord Fire Protection, and Kord Fire Protection announced that they would henceforth be operating as Majestic Fire Inc., DBA Kord Fire Protection. For the new solicitation in 2025, the firm submitted a bid under their new name, Majestic Fire Inc., DBA Kord Fire Protection.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
Under the new contract recommended for award, the contractor, Majestic Fire Inc., DBA Kord Fire Protection, will continue to perform systemwide annual and semi-annual testing and certification of chemical fire suppression systems to ensure compliance with regulatory AHJ, NFPA 25, and CCR standards and requirements. These systems are essential for protecting critical infrastructure, equipment, and personnel in areas where traditional water-based suppression is not effective (i.e., electrical rooms). Regular testing ensures dependability, minimizes fire-related risks, and helps maintain safe and uninterrupted transit operations.
During the term of the new contract, and to support Metro’s system expansion projects, the number of portable extinguishers will increase from 4,270 to 4,427, and the number of flooding systems will increase from 96 to 103 to include Metro D Line (Purple) Extension Phases I, II, & III and A Line (Blue) Foothill Extension Phase 2B.
Determination_Of_Safety_Impact
DETERMINATION OF SAFETY IMPACT
The approval of this item will ensure timely testing, certification, and repair of the fire suppression systems, regulatory compliance with AHJ, NFPA 25, and CCR standards, and the delivery of safe and reliable services to Metro employees and patrons.
Financial_Impact
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The budget includes funding of $132,240 for the remainder of FY26 under cost center 8370-Facilities Contracted Maintenance Services, account 50308, Service Contract Maintenance, under various projects.
Since this is a multi-year contract, the cost center manager and Deputy Chief Operations Officer, Shared Mobility, will be accountable for budgeting the cost in future years.
Impact to Budget
The current source of funds for this action includes operating eligible funds, including Passenger Fares, Propositions A and C, Measures R and M sales tax revenues, State Transit Assistance (STA), and the Transportation Development Act. These funding sources are eligible for bus and rail operations. Given approved guidelines and provisions, using these funding sources leverages maximum project fund use.
Equity_Platform
EQUITY PLATFORM
The mandated testing and certification services provided by this contract will be applied equally to chemical fire suppression systems at all Metro divisions, stations, and locations. While patrons have minimal to no interaction with these systems, it is imperative that the systems are tested and certified to ensure proper operation during an emergency in order to continue providing safe and reliable services, while safeguarding patrons, employees, and critical equipment.
As part of this contract solicitation, Metro conducted two system-wide Metro Connect Industry Forum Outreach events on October 16, 2024, and April 7, 2025, to provide an overview of the Small Business Programs requirements for competitively negotiated procurements.
The Diversity and Economic Opportunity Department (DEOD) established a 25% SBE goal and 3% Disabled Veterans Business Enterprise (DVBE) goal for this solicitation. Majestic Fire Inc., DBA Kord Fire, an SBE firm, exceeded the goal by making a 95% SBE and 3% DVBE commitment.
Vehicle_Miles_Traveled _Outcome
VEHICLE MILES TRAVELED OUTCOME
VMT and VMT per capita in Los Angeles County are lower than national averages, the lowest in the SCAG region, and on the lower end of VMT per capita statewide, with these declining VMT trends due in part to Metro’s significant investment in rail and bus transit. Metro’s Board-adopted VMT reduction targets align with California’s statewide climate goals, including achieving carbon neutrality by 2045. To ensure continued progress, all Board items are assessed for their potential impact on VMT.
As part of these ongoing efforts, this item is expected to contribute to further reductions in VMT. This item supports Metro’s systemwide strategy to reduce VMT through these testing, certification, and maintenance activities that will improve bus and rail station safety and further encourage transit ridership. Metro’s Board-adopted VMT reduction targets were designed to build on the success of existing investments, and this item aligns with those objectives.
*Based on population estimates from the United States Census and VMT estimates from Caltrans’ Highway Performance Monitoring System (HPMS) data between 2001-2019.
Implementation_of_Strategic_Plan_Goals
IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS
This Board action supports Strategic Goal 5; Provide responsive, accountable, and trustworthy governance within the Metro organization. Providing on-time regulatory annual and semi-annual mandated testing and certification services of chemical fire suppression systems ensures compliance with fire/life safety regulatory standards and requirements while protecting critical equipment and providing a safe environment for Metro employees and patrons.
Alternatives_Considered
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
The Board may elect not to approve this recommendation. This option is not recommended as it would result in a gap in service, severely impacting safety, operations, and accessibility to Metro’s system.
With the completion of a financial-based insourcing study based on a quantitative and qualitative assessment, staff have analyzed insourcing options for chemical fire suppression testing, replacement and certification services, among other services. Based on initial findings, chemical fire suppression testing, replacement and certification services were not recommended for insourcing as this would require the hiring and training of additional personnel with certification from the Office of the State Fire Marshal, the purchase of additional equipment, vehicles, and supplies to support the expanded responsibility.
Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS
Upon approval by the Board, staff will execute Contract No. OP1270110008370 with Majestic Fire Inc., DBA Kord Fire, to provide chemical fire suppression testing, replacement and certification services effective March 1, 2026.
Attachments
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A - Procurement Summary
Attachment B - DEOD Summary
Prepared_by
Prepared by: Carlos Martinez, Senior Director, Facilities Contracted Maintenance Services, (213) 922-6761
Lena Babayan, Executive Officer, Operations Administration, (213) 922-6765
Shahrzad Amiri, Deputy Chief Operations Officer, Shared Mobility, (213) 922-3061
Debra Avila, Deputy Chief Vendor/Contract Management Officer, (213) 418-3051
Reviewed_By
Reviewed by: Conan Cheung, Chief Operations Officer, (213) 418-3034
