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File #: 15-2365   
Type: Purchase of Equipment
In control: City Council A Session
On agenda: 4/30/2015
Posting Language: An Ordinance accepting the offer from Twincrest, Inc. d/b/a Twincrest Technologies to provide the Transportation and Capital Improvement Department, Traffic Management Center with radar detection equipment and installation at approximately 22 intersections throughout the City for a total cost of $910,000.00, funded with the Advanced Transportation District FY2015 Detection Project and available in the FY 2015 – FY2020 Capital Improvement Program. [Ben Gorzell, Chief Financial Officer; Troy Elliott, Director, Finance]
Attachments: 1. Final Bid Tab - 6100005814 Radar Vehicle Det. Equip, 2. HGAC, 3. Original Bid-Twincrest Technologies, 4. Draft Ordinance, 5. Ordinance 2015-04-30-0334
DEPARTMENT: Finance      
 
 
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Troy Elliott
      
      
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
 
 
SUBJECT:
Radar Vehicle Detection Equipment
 
 
SUMMARY:
This ordinance accepts the offer from Twincrest, Inc. d/b/a Twincrest Technologies to provide the Transportation and Capital Improvement Department with radar vehicle detection equipment and installation at approximately 22 intersections throughout the City. This is a one-time capital expenditure and funds are available from the Advanced Transportation District (ATD) FY 2015 Detection Project and available in the FY 2015 - FY 2020 Capital Improvement Program. The total estimated construction cost of the ITS Equipment Project is $910,000.00, with $728,000.00 (80%) coming from TxDOT as a federal contribution and $182,000.00 (20%) coming from the City as a local match.
 
 
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Submitted for City Council consideration and action is the attached offer to provide the Transportation and Capital Improvement Department with Radar Vehicle Detection Equipment.  This equipment will be purchased from and installed by Twincrest Inc., d/b/a Twincrest Technologies on the basis of a cooperative contract.
This purchase will provide specialized Radar Vehicle Detection Equipment for the Transportation and Capital Improvements Department, Traffic Management Center.  Similar in function to the existing Vehicle Image Video Detection Systems (VIVDS), currently in use, this Radar Vehicle Detection Equipment also detects the presence of motor vehicles approaching intersections in all types of weather conditions such as rain, snow, sleet, ice, fog, windblown dust, glaring sunlight and deep shadow conditions where a standard video image results in false vehicle presence messages sent to the signal controller.
This equipment will be installed by the awarded vendor to detect the presence of vehicles at various problematic signalized intersections throughout the City.  The proposed Radar Vehicle Detection Equipment has been thoroughly field tested and has been found by staff to operate substantially better than existing VIVDS technology in the more complex imaging conditions, resulting in fewer false calls for the Traffic Management Center and the signal controller.
This purchase is made utilizing the Cooperative Purchasing Contract number PE05-13 through Houston/Galveston Cooperative Program passed on Resolution No. 96-41-48 dated 10/10/1996.
 
 
ISSUE:
This contract will provide the Transportation and Capital Improvements Department - Traffic Management Center with specialized Radar Vehicle Detection Equipment to be installed at approximately 22 intersections throughout the City.
This equipment will be purchased from Twincrest Inc., d/b/a Twincrest Technologies utilizing the HGAC Contract Agreement Number PE05-13.  This purchase will be made in accordance with Houston Galveston Cooperative Program passed on Resolution No. 96-41-48 dated 10/10/1996.
The radar vehicle detection equipment includes a 5 year warranty for defective parts.
This purchase is exempt from the Small Business Economic Development Advocacy Ordinance due to the requirements of the Advance Funding Agreement with TxDOT.
The recommended award is an exception to the Local Preference Program.
The Veteran-Owned Small Business Program does not apply to goods/supplies contracts, so no preference was applied to this contract.
 
 
ALTERNATIVES:
Should this contract not be approved, the Transportation and Capital Improvements Department, Traffic Management Center would continue to use the existing VIVDS technology equipment and be unable to enhance detection of vehicles in the more complex imaging conditions, resulting in more calls to the Traffic Management Center regarding faulty signal controllers.
 
 
FISCAL IMPACT:
This is a one-time capital expenditure and funds are available from the Advanced Transportation District (ATD) FY 2015 Detection Project and available in the FY 2015 - FY 2020 Capital Improvement Program. The total estimated construction cost of the ITS Equipment Project is $910,000.00, with $728,000.00 (80%) coming from TxDOT as a federal contribution and $182,000.00 (20%) coming from the City as a local match.
 
 
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the approval of a contract with Twincrest Inc., d/b/a Twincrest Technologies to purchase specified equipment and installation at various intersections throughout the City of San Antonio.  
 
This contract is procured on the basis of cooperative purchasing and a Contracts Disclosure Form is required.