REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
June 9, 2026
FROM
SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator
SUBJECT
Title
Purchase of One Tactical Tractor and Transport Trailer
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Authorize the Purchasing Agent to issue a Purchase Order to Tactical Fabrication, LLC, for the purchase of one armored tactical tractor and transport trailer in the amount of $382,000.
(Presenter: Carolina Mendoza, Chief Deputy Director, 387-0640)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Operate in a Fiscally-Responsible and Business-Like Manner.
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of additional Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator’s (Department) current budget allocation includes $370,000 previously approved in the 2025-26 Mid-Year Budget Report to purchase an armored tactical tractor (Tac-Cat) and attendant transport trailer. The remaining $12,000 will be funded with savings realized from prior vehicle purchases made during fiscal year 2025-26. Sufficient appropriation is included in the Department’s 2025-26 budget.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The Department provides law enforcement services in the unincorporated areas of the County, and to 14 contract cities and one Indian Tribe. It also oversees eight detention facilities. In support of these services, the Department’s Specialized Enforcement Division (SED) is routinely called to resolve critical incidents throughout the County. SED is tasked with, among other matters, serving warrants under elevated and high-risk conditions involving armed and/or barricaded suspects, performing hostage rescue operations, and inspecting suspected explosive devices. The Department utilizes an existing Tac-Cat to accomplish these tasks.
The Tac-Cat is a custom-built skid steer tractor, outfitted with armored plates, video cameras, and specialized attachments, originally purchased from Tactical Fabrication, LLC (Tac-Fab) in 2003 and placed into service in 2004, together with its transport trailer. The protective capabilities of the Tac-Cat are required for the safety of its operator during many SED actions. The Tac-Cat serves several purposes. Through the use of specialized implements that include a custom-made bucket, manipulation claw, and extension booms, it can grab, lift, and push and pull obstacles and debris to allow for an entry point for SED’s personnel, where SED may peacefully resolve high-risk situations and safely examine and remove suspicious devices.
The new Tac-Cat will replace the 22-year-old one, with the latter being reserved for back-up. The modern, tactical-specific, ease-of-use developments of the new Tac-Fab tractor outperform competing designs and will give the operator and SED commander more options and capabilities for SED to safely and effectively resolve the most complex and dangerous of situations.
PROCUREMENT
The Department evaluated similar equipment from other manufacturers to acquire a new Tac-Cat and found that Tac-Fab’s product offers various operational advantages. For example, the base skid steer platform used by other manufacturers to custom build their model is larger, taller, and heavier than Tac-Fab’s. The reduced dimensions and weight of Tac-Fab’s model make it safer to operate on soft and/or unstable surfaces prone to collapse and much more agile in tight working spaces. The Tac-Fab model also has a more-fuel efficient engine by comparison, resulting in lower costs to operate it. Lastly, regarding attachments, the Tac-Fab’s custom-made claw combines a ram and grasping claw that allows operators to use a single device to push or grab objects when needed. The Purchasing Department supports this non-competitive procurement.
Based on its evaluations, the Department recommends the non-competitive procurement of a new Tac-Cat from Tac-Fab. County Policy 11-04, Procurement of Goods, Supplies, Equipment, and Services requires the Department to seek Board approval for non-competitive purchases of equipment in excess of $200,000 annually.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Grace B. Parsons, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on May 11, 2026; Purchasing (Jason Cloninger, Lead Buyer, 387-0321) on May 11, 2026; and County Finance and Administration (Erika Rodarte, Administrative Analyst, 387-4919) on May 22, 2026.