City of Columbus - File #: 0402-2006

• File #: 0402-2006
• Version: 1
• Type: Ordinance
• Status: Passed
• File created: 2/16/2006
• In control: Utilities Committee
• On agenda: 3/13/2006
• Final action: 3/15/2006
• Title: To authorize the Finance and Management Director to enter into contract with Bear Communications, Incorporated, for the purchase of an 800 MHz radio system and ancillary equipment for the Public Service Department, Refuse Collection Division; and to authorize the expenditure of $443,636.00 or so much thereof as may be needed from the 1995, 1999, 2004 Voted Refuse Collection Fund. ($443,636.00)

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
3/15/2006	1	CITY CLERK	Attest
3/14/2006	1	MAYOR	Signed
3/13/2006	1	Columbus City Council	Read for the First Time
3/13/2006	1	Columbus City Council	Approved	Pass
3/13/2006	1	COUNCIL PRESIDENT	Signed
3/1/2006	1	CITY ATTORNEY	Reviewed and Approved
3/1/2006	1	SERVICE DIRECTOR	Sent to Clerk's Office for Council
2/28/2006	1	Auditor Reviewer	Reviewed and Approved
2/28/2006	1	CITY AUDITOR	Reviewed and Approved
2/28/2006	1	SERVICE DIRECTOR	Reviewed and Approved
2/28/2006	1	EBOCO Reviewer	Reviewed and Approved
2/28/2006	1	ODI DIRECTOR	Reviewed and Approved
2/28/2006	1	SERVICE DIRECTOR	Reviewed and Approved
2/27/2006	1	Finance Reviewer	Reviewed and Approved
2/27/2006	1	FINANCE DIRECTOR	Reviewed and Approved
2/27/2006	1	SERVICE DIRECTOR	Reviewed and Approved
2/23/2006	1	SERVICE DIRECTOR	Reviewed and Approved
2/16/2006	1	Service Drafter	Sent for Approval
2/16/2006	1	Service Drafter	Sent for Approval

Explanation
The Refuse Collection Division currently operates a low band VHF radio system to effect essential communications between supervisors and vehicles in the field. Two-way radio communications are necessary for safety purposes. This existing system suffers from a number of shortfalls, including its inability to facilitate inter-division communications and its growing obsolescence relative to state-of-the-art communications technology.

The Public Safety Department's Support Division notified the Refuse Collection Division some time ago that it will eventually cease supporting the Refuse Collection Division's present radio system. The stocking of parts and even their availability will become increasingly problematic. Refuse Collection represents the largest City of Columbus entity that has not already converted to 800 MHz - the Safety Department, Public Utility Department divisions and Transportation Division have all previously switched to this system.

The Federal Communication Commission (FCC) will eventually either preclude the Division's use of the existing low band radio system or otherwise force its conversion to 800 MHz. The effective date of this mandate is indefinite but it will inevitably occur.

Representatives of the Refuse Collection and Support Services began meeting in May 2005 to analyze the situation, examine options and recommend a course of action. It was determined that the wholesale replacement of the existing low band system with an 800 MHz system is in order. To that end specifications were prepared and formal competitive bids were solicited and received on January 5, 2006 (SA001852). Bidders were given the option of submitting bids for programmed radio equipment and/or removal and installation.

Bids were received from four (4) vendors for 227 truck-installed and 12 portable radios, 3 base stations and ancillary equipment as follows:


Motorola, Incorporated, Glen Rock, New Jersey
Motorola model XTL 1500 rad...