DEPARTMENT: Finance
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Troy Elliott
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT:
Relocation of Radio Shelter and Communications Equipment to KSAT 12 TV Tower
SUMMARY:
This action authorizes a contract for an in the amount not to exceed $783,977.44 with Dailey & Wells Communications, Inc., to provide the San Antonio Police and Fire Departments through the Information Technology Services Department - Radio Services Division with a contract to relocate vital communications equipment from the current tower leased from CPS Energy located at 326 W. Jones Avenue, to the nearby KSAT 12 Television tower located at 1408 N. St. Mary’s Street.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
CPS Energy previously provided notification to the City of its intent to decommission the radio tower located at 326 W. Jones Avenue and vacate the premises as part of the continuing development of areas along the San Antonio River Walk. In the interim, CPS Energy has extended the City’s use of the tower while a plan and budget were formulated for a move that would provide minimal disruption to the existing Public Safety Radio System.
Submitted for City Council consideration and action is the offer submitted by Dailey & Wells Communications, Inc., for the relocation of the existing radio shelter and equipment for a total cost not to exceed $783,977.44.
The City’s current radio environment is supported by Dailey & Wells Communications, Inc. The current 700/800MHz public safety radio communications system provides public safety grade two-way radio communications for the City of San Antonio and surrounding Bexar County participating agencies. The system currently manages an average of 400,000 radio calls per day from approximately 7,100 radios, which includes thirty-five (35) external multijurisdictional agencies. The radio system is available in over 1,200 square miles of Bexar County and provides the single source of communications to dispatch all Police and Fire/EMS in the City and County in response to any emergency.
This contract will allow the City to relocate critical communication equipment to allow for continuity of radio communications and provide public safety services to the community.
ISSUE:
This action will provide the Information Technology Services Department - Radio Services Division with authorization to contract with Dailey & Wells Communications, Inc., for the relocation of critical communication equipment from the current leased tower location at 326 W. Jones Avenue, to the nearby KSAT 12 TV tower located at 1408 N. St. Mary’s Street.
The equipment relocation will be completed by Dailey & Wells Communications, Inc., who currently supports the City’s 700/800MHz public safety radio communications system. This contract was procured by means of a Public Health & Safety Exemption.
This contract is an exception to the SBEDA and Local Preference Programs. However, Dailey & Wells Communications, Inc. is a small, minority-owned business.
The Veteran-Owned Small Business Preference Program Ordinance was not applied to this contract.
ALTERNATIVES:
Should this action not be approved, the City’s Public Safety Radio System will likely experience signal degradation if the Jones Avenue Tower is removed from service. Radio operations in the downtown area could negatively be impacted, resulting in safety issues.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This is a one-time capital expenditure for the San Antonio Information Technology Services Department - Radio Services Division in an amount not to exceed $783,977.44 to Dailey & Wells Communications, Inc. Funds are available from the FY2016 ITSD Capital Budget for the Radio and System Replacement project.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the approval of the offer submitted by Dailey & Wells Communications, Inc., for the relocation of the existing radio shelter and equipment for a total cost of $783,977.44.
This contract is procured by means of a public health and safety exemption and a Contracts Disclosure Form is not required.