City of Columbus - File #: 1375-2006

• File #: 1375-2006
• Version: 1
• Type: Ordinance
• Status: Passed
• File created: 7/14/2006
• In control: Safety Committee
• On agenda: 9/11/2006
• Final action: 9/14/2006
• Title: To authorize the Finance and Management Director on behalf of the Department of Public Safety, Division of Support Services, to purchase essential test equipment to service emergency communication radios and computers used by the Divisions of Police and Fire; to waive competitive bidding provisions of the Columbus City Code; to authorize the expenditure of $237,540.00 from the Public Safety Voted Bond Fund and to declare an emergency.( $237,540.00)

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
9/14/2006	1	CITY CLERK	Attest
9/13/2006	1	MAYOR	Signed
9/11/2006	1	Columbus City Council	Approved	Pass
9/11/2006	1	COUNCIL PRESIDENT PRO-TEM	Signed
9/6/2006	1	Safety Drafter	Sent to Clerk's Office for Council
9/5/2006	1	City Clerk's Office	Sent back for Clarification/Correction
7/27/2006	1	Auditor Reviewer	Reviewed and Approved
7/27/2006	1	Safety Drafter	Sent for Approval
7/27/2006	1	CITY AUDITOR	Reviewed and Approved
7/27/2006	1	Safety Drafter	Sent for Approval
7/27/2006	1	CITY ATTORNEY	Reviewed and Approved
7/27/2006	1	Safety Drafter	Sent to Clerk's Office for Council
7/26/2006	1	Finance - Purchasing Reviewer	Reviewed and Approved
7/26/2006	1	FINANCE DIRECTOR	Reviewed and Approved
7/26/2006	1	Safety Drafter	Sent for Approval
7/21/2006	1	Finance Reviewer	Reviewed and Approved
7/20/2006	1	ODI DIRECTOR	Reviewed and Approved
7/20/2006	1	Safety Drafter	Sent for Approval
7/19/2006	1	Safety Drafter	Sent for Approval
7/19/2006	1	EBOCO Reviewer	Reviewed and Approved
7/18/2006	1	SAFETY DIRECTOR	Reviewed and Approved
7/17/2006	1	Safety Drafter	Sent for Approval
7/17/2006	1	Safety Reviewer	Reviewed and Approved
7/14/2006	1	Safety Drafter	Sent for Approval
7/14/2006	1	Safety Reviewer	Reviewed and Approved

Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance authorizes the Finance and Management Director, on behalf of the Division of Support Services, to establish a purchase order with AEROFLEX Wichita, Inc. for test equipment used for servicing emergency communications systems used by the Divisions of Police and Fire.

This test equipment will replace the current test equipment that is 20 years old, obsolete and unreliable. This test equipment is used to service and calibrate the existing 800 MHz radios, microwave, E911 and PBX communications systems used by Police and Fire. These radios and computers are in service 24 hours a day, 365 days per year, to aid emergency personnel in protecting over one million citizens in the City of Columbus and the surrounding metro area.

Currently there are over 9000 voice radios in use on the City of Columbus 800 MHz Public Safety Radio System. Additionally there are hundreds of data radios in use on the City of Columbus data and Fire PA (MOSCAD) systems. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has mandated that prior to installation, all transmitting equipment shall be bench tested to ensure proper operation and that the equipment meets stringent operating specifications. Failing to abide by the FCC rules and regulations can cause the City of Columbus to be fined $10,000 per day, per violation.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) mandates additional regulations when referring to the communications equipment used in our fleet of police helicopters. This includes, but is not limited to, transmitting power, transmitting frequency and modulation characteristics. Violations of FAA rules and regulations may result in the loss of the City of Columbus FAA Repair Station Status with the FAA. The City has maintained this status for more than 20 years. In the event that the City of Columbus would lose this status with the FAA, the whole fleet of helicopters could be grounded.

The Division of Support Services maintains...