Purchasing Options

How to procure your Arctic Compressor products

Arctic Compressor is dedicated to equipping you with the tools and resources necessary to streamline the procurement process of our products.

Step 1: Identify equipment needs

The first crucial step in procuring Arctic Compressor products is identifying what equipment you need. To determine this, you have a few options:

Evaluate your needs
- How many cylinders do you have, and how often do they get filled?
- Are there major surges in usage like training events or mutual aid requirements?
- Is there an apparatus that needs its storage cylinders refilled?
- What electrical capabilities does your facility have?
- What physical space constraints does your preferred location have?
- Who will be operating this system?
Develop a Bid Specification
For municipalities and fire departments that require multiple bids, Arctic Compressor can assist with the process. We help you create the bid spec tailored to your needs, including all technical details. This bid specification can then be used to gather bids from various organizations. Connect with one of our product experts for your customized Bid Spec today.

Connect with our product experts
Our team is happy to help you identify what products you’d need to meet your needs. Reach out to us!

Step 2: Develop your acquisition strategy

Now that you’ve identified your equipment needs, it’s crucial to explore the various funding options available for acquiring Arctic Compressor products. Our customers typically consider several avenues, including adding a dedicated budget line in their annual or quarterly financial plans, pursuing grant funding, and exploring lease-to-own options. It’s important to note that these solutions don’t need to be implemented independently. In fact, many of our customers creatively combine multiple approaches to meet their specific needs.

Here are the most common avenues our customers explore:

Local Funding and Budgeting

Adding a dedicated budget line in your annual or quarterly financial plan is a strategic move to ensure your organization is prepared for essential purchases. By allocating specific funds for breathing air equipment, you can effectively plan for these critical investments without unexpected financial strain.

Grant Funding

Many of our customers secure grants for equipment purchases. For example, the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program provides federal funding to fire departments for equipment and essential needs.

Depending on your location, state and local grant programs may also be available to assist with significant purchases.

Lease to Own

Leasing to own is another popular procurement option. Most of our customers choose Community Leasing Partners, a division of Community First National Bank, which offers tax-exempt financing for municipalities and fire departments. This partner is preferred for their competitive rates, flexible terms, and streamlined approval process.

Cooperative Purchasing

A significant number of our customers opt for cooperative purchasing through NPPGov, a national cooperative procurement organization that offers publicly solicited contracts to government entities nationwide. NPPGov membership is required but is completely free.

Step 3: Begin the procurement process

The procurement process typically involves the following steps:

1. Market Research

Research is crucial in the procurement process. Consider the following when comparing products and organizations:

Lead Time
How quickly do you need your product? Can the company meet your timeline?

Quality
Dependability is critical in air systems and solutions. Consider:

Where the product is made, including part sourcing and assembly
The team responsible for the assembly
The quality testing process

Cost
Evaluate the overall cost, including the product, installation, service, and shipping.

Power and Capacity
Ensure the product meets your department’s needs by comparing specifications such as:

PSI (pounds per square inch)
CFM (cubic feet per minute)
Filtration capacity
Stages
Electrical Configuration
HP (horsepower)
Filling capacity

2. Solicitation Preparation

Develop and issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) or Invitation for Bids (IFB).

3. Vendor Response

Vendors will submit bids or proposals, which may also include dealer presentations.

4. Evaluation and Selection

Review and score each vendor based on your criteria. Select the vendor you would like to move forward with.

5. Delivery

Upon receiving your product, inspect it for proper function and ensure there are no shipping damages.

When you purchase from Arctic Compressor, our service experts will arrive after your product has been delivered. We’ll inspect and install the system for you!