DEPARTMENT: Finance
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Troy Elliott
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
School Zone Communication System
SUMMARY:
This ordinance authorizes a one-time purchase with Paradigm Traffic Systems, Inc. to provide the Public Works Department with communication equipment to be deployed at existing school zones for a total cost of $247,292.50. Funding is available from the FY 2021 Adopted General Fund Budget and the FY 2021 School Pedestrian Safety Project.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Submitted for City Council consideration and action is the offer submitted by Paradigm Traffic Systems, Inc., for the one-time purchase of school zone communication hardware and software manufactured by Applied Information to replace and upgrade equipment at ninety-one locations. This equipment is required to communicate with the Transportation and Infrastructure Management Center which monitors the school zone communication flasher system. This system enables school zone flashers to operate according to the school hours provided by each school district and allows the flasher’s operation to be adapted to unexpected changes such as bad weather days and more recently closures due to COVID-19.
The Public Works Department’s Transportation and Infrastructure Management Center (TIMC) utilizes school zone communication equipment to ensure that the school zone flashers are programmed and operating properly. Using this system, operators in the TIMC are alerted when a school flasher is not operating allowing a maintenance crew to be dispatched as soon as possible to correct the issue in order to minimize the amount of time that the flashers are inoperable.
The equipment being purchased utilizes a wireless modem and web based software to communicate with the TIMC and will replace currently deployed radio based technology. Staff from the Public Works Department tested school zone communication equipment from three manufacturers. Based upon this testing, the equipment manufactured by Applied Information was found to be easier to maintain and the software provides enhanced features to monitor and manage the system.
The School Zone Communication System allows for two-way communication, remote monitoring, trouble shooting and programming of the City’s nearly 1000 school flasher locations. The School Zone Communication System equipment will be installed by Public Works Department personnel.
ISSUE:
This contract will provide the Public Works Department with the one-time purchase of school zone communication hardware and software manufactured by Applied Information to replace to upgrade equipment at ninety-one locations.
This purchase is made through the Houston-Galveston Area Council of Governments (HGAC) Contract PE05-19 in accordance with the Houston-Galveston Cooperative Purchasing Program Passed on Resolution 96-41-48 dated 10-10-1996.
The Small Business Economic Development Advocacy (SBEDA) Ordinance requirements were waived due to the lack of small, minority, and/or women businesses available to provide these goods and services.
The recommended award is an exception to the Local Preference Program.
The Veteran-Owned Business Program does not apply to good/supplies contracts, so no preference was applied to this contract.
ALTERNATIVES:
Should this contract not be approved, the Public Works Department will continue to utilize the current radio based school zone communication system equipment. Lack of a contract will hamper the department’s plan to upgrade the current system to communicate through wireless modems and provide enhanced monitoring and overall management of the system. Continued use of the current system for monitoring and programming of the school flashers could have a negative impact and effect the safety of the residents of San Antonio.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This ordinance authorizes a one-time expenditure for the School Zone Communication System in an amount not to exceed $247,292.50 to Paradigm Traffic Systems, Inc. Of the $247,292.50, $200,000 is budgeted and available in the FY 2021 Adopted General Fund Budget and $47,292.50 is available and included in the FY 2021-2026 Capital Improvement Program, specifically within the FY 2021 School Pedestrian Safety Project.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the approval of this contract with Paradigm Traffic Systems, Inc., for the one-time purchase of school zone communication hardware and software manufactured by Applied Information to replace and upgrade equipment at ninety-one locations.
This contract was procured on the basis of cooperative purchasing and a Contracts Disclosure Form is not required.