REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, Director
Public Works Department
BY: HARMANJIT DHALIWAL, PE, Assistant Director
Public Works Department, Special Projects and Capital Management Division
JOHN STANBOULIAN, Public Works Manager
Public Works Department, Traffic & Engineering Services Division
SUBJECT
Title
Action pertaining to Jensen Avenue Corridor Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) Adaptive Synchronization Project; Friant Road Corridor ITS Adaptive Synchronization Project; Clovis Avenue Corridor ITS Adaptive Synchronization Project, Palm Avenue Corridor ITS Adaptive Synchronization Project; Dynamic Downtown Part 2 Tulare Street and Tuolumne Street ITS Adaptive Synchronization Project; Cesar Chavez Boulevard Corridor ITS Adaptive Synchronization Project Synchro Green Adaptive Signal Control Technology (ASCT) Systems (Citywide)
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption per staff’s determination, pursuant to Section 15301(c) Class 1 of the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines (CEQA)
2. ***RESOLUTION - To dispense with the competitive bidding requirements and authorize the Public Works Director to enter into six (6) contracts with Cubic ITS Inc. for the purchase of Synchro Green Adaptive Signal Control Technology (ASCT) System (Controllers, Licenses, Configuration, Training, and Warranty) (Subject to Mayor’s Veto)
3. Award a purchase contract in the amount of $245,000 to Cubic ITS Inc., for the purchase of Synchro Green ASCT System for 12 intersections required for the Jensen Avenue ITS Adaptive Synchronization Project
4. Award a purchase contract in the amount of $117,000 to Cubic ITS Inc., for the purchase of Synchro Green ASCT System for 5 intersections required for the Friant Road ITS Adaptive Synchronization Project
5. Award a purchase contract in the amount of $335,000 to Cubic ITS Inc., for the purchase of Synchro Green ASCT System for 14 intersections required for the Clovis Avenue ITS Adaptive Synchronization Project
6. Award a purchase contract in the amount of $146,000 to Cubic ITS Inc., for the purchase of Synchro Green ASCT System for 5 intersections required for the Palm Avenue ITS Adaptive Synchronization Project
7. Award a purchase contract in the amount of $356,000 to Cubic ITS Inc., for the purchase of Synchro Green ASCT System for 15 intersections required for the Dynamic Downtown 2, Tulare Street and Tuolumne Street, ITS Adaptive Synchronization Project
8. Award a purchase contract in the amount of $300,000 to Cubic ITS Inc., for the purchase of Synchro Green ASCT System for 11 intersections required for the Cesar Chavez Boulevard ITS Adaptive Synchronization Project
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption per Staff determination, pursuant to Section 15301(c) Class1 of CEQA guidelines and that the City Council approve a Resolution to authorize the Public Works Director to specify Cubic ITS Inc., for the purchase of Synchro Green ASCT System, under the sole-source competitive bidding exception, and award six (6) contracts to Cubic ITS Inc. in the amounts of $245,000 for 12 intersections required for the Jensen Avenue ITS Adaptive Synchronization Project; $117,000 for the 5 intersections required for the Friant Road ITS Adaptive Synchronization Project; $335,000 for the 14 intersections required for the Clovis Avenue ITS Adaptive Synchronization Project; $146,000 for the 5 intersections required for the Palm Avenue ITS Adaptive Synchronization Project; $356,000 for the 15 intersections required for the Dynamic Downtown 2 ITS Adaptive Synchronization Project; $300,000 for 11 intersections required for the Cesar Chavez Boulevard ITS Adaptive Synchronization Project.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City has competitively bid and awarded three (3) construction contracts that are constructing the ITS corridor infrastructure improvements in preparation for the deployment of the Synchro Green ASCT System for Jensen Avenue ITS Adaptive Synchronization Project, Friant Road ITS Adaptive Synchronization Project, and Clovis Avenue ITS Adaptive Synchronization Project. The Staff Reports to City Council indicated that staff will be bringing to City Council a resolution for the sole-source purchase of Synchro Green ASCT Systems. In Fiscal Year 2026-2027, the City will competitively bid and award three (3) additional constructions contracts for Palm Avenue ITS Adaptive Synchronization Project, Dynamic Downtown Part 2 ITS Adaptive Synchronization Project, and Cesar Chavez Boulevard ITS Adaptive Synchronization Project for which this Resolution includes the purchase of the Synchro Green ASCT Systems.
Cubic ITS Inc. is the sole-source manufacturer, distributor, and configurator for the City of Fresno’s Advanced Transportation Management System (ATMS) and Synchro Green ASCT System. In 2018, the Public Works Department received written notification that Cubic ITS Inc. will distribute only through Cubic ITS Inc.’s direct sales channel to local agencies for all products and services. Cubic ITS Inc. direct to local agency Synchro Green ASCT System (controller, license, configuration, training and warranty) prices per intersection are approximately 11% below Florida Department of Transportation current contract prices.
BACKGROUND
These heavily traveled corridors provide access to SR99, SR41, SR180 and a multitude of businesses and schools in the City of Fresno. The corridors currently operate without synchronization or limited static time-of-day synchronization and require a state-of-the-art adaptive signal control technology for 24-hour real-time synchronization. The Cubic ITS Inc. Synchro Green Adaptive Signal Control Technology System will provide an efficient traffic adaptive coordination system, improving safety, operations, energy conservation and effective capacity of the City of Fresno’s congested corridors while reducing emissions and improving overall quality of life.
During Fiscal Years 2026, the Public Works Department will be in construction phase for the first five (5) Subject ITS Adaptive Synchronization Projects. The Cesar Chavez Boulevard ITS Adaptive Synchronization Project is currently being designed and will be in construction during FY2027. The competitively bid ITS Adaptive Synchronization Projects will construct the necessary ITS infrastructure improvements that will prepare the corridors for the deployment of the Cubic ITS Inc. Synchro Green ASCT Systems. The Staff Reports to City Council will state that separate from the infrastructure construction contracts, but as part of the overall ITS Projects, staff will be bringing to City Council a resolution for the sole-source purchase of Synchro Green ASCT Systems.
1. On June 9th, 2022, the City Council awarded a construction contract to Audeamus, dba Sebastian of Fresno, CA in the amount of $2,574,600, as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, for Jensen Avenue Corridor Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) Adaptive Project from Elm Avenue to Temperance Avenue - Bid File No. 3867 (Council Districts 3 and 5). This Project constructed the necessary ITS infrastructure improvements that prepared the corridor for the deployment of the Synchro Green ASCT System. The June 9th, 2022 Staff Report to City Council stated that separate from the ITS infrastructure construction contract, but as part of the overall Project, staff will be bringing to City Council a sole-source contract for the purchase of the Synchro Green ASCT System.
2. On August 15th, 2024, the City Council awarded a construction contract to AC Electric Company Inc. of Fresno, CA in the amount of $1,963,964, as the only responsive and responsible bidder, for Friant Road Adaptive Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) Project from Fort Washington Road to Copper River Drive, Bid File No. 12400307 (Council District 6). This Project is constructing the necessary ITS infrastructure improvements that will prepare the corridor for the deployment of the Synchro Green ASCT System. The August 15th, 2024 Staff Report to City Council stated that separate from the ITS infrastructure construction contract, but as part of the overall Project, staff will be bringing to City Council a sole-source contract for the purchase of the Synchro Green ASCT System.
3. On March 13th, 2025, the City Council awarded a construction contract to AC Electric, Company of Fresno, CA in the amount of $1,990,683.50, as the only responsive and responsible bidder, for Clovis Avenue Adaptive ITS Traffic Signal Synchronization Project from Shields Avenue to American Avenue, Bid File No. 12500629 (Council Districts 4, 5 and 7). This Project is constructing the necessary ITS infrastructure improvements that will prepare the corridor for the deployment of the Synchro Green ASCT System. The March 13th, 2025 Staff Report to City Council stated that separate from the ITS infrastructure construction contract, but as part of the overall Project, staff will be bringing to City Council a sole-source contract for the purchase of the Synchro Green ASCT System.
4. Palm Avenue Adaptive ITS Adaptive Synchronization Project from Shaw Avenue to Herndon Avenue (Council District 2) will be in Construction Phase during Fiscal Year 2026. The Palm Avenue Project will competitively bid and construct the ITS infrastructure improvements that will prepare the corridor for the deployment of the Synchro Green ASCT System.
5. Dynamic Downtown Part 2 ITS Adaptive Synchronization Project, Tulare Street from R Street to H Street and Tuolumne Street from P Street to Broadway Street (Council District 3), will be in Construction Phase during Fiscal Year 2026. The Dynamic Downtown Part 2 Project will competitively bid and construct the ITS infrastructure improvements that will prepare the corridor for the deployment of the Synchro Green ASCT System.
6. Cesar Chavez Boulevard Adaptive ITS Traffic Signal Synchronization Project from Chestnut Avenue to Clovis Avenue (Council District 5 and 7) is in Design Phase in Fiscal Year 2026 and will be in Construction Phase Fiscal Year during Fiscal Year 2027. The Cesar Chavez Boulevard Project will competitively bid and construct the ITS infrastructure improvements that will prepare the corridor for the deployment of the Synchro Green ASCT System.
System Engineering:
The Public Works Department’s Traffic Operations Center (TOC) deployed Cubic ITS Inc. Advanced Transportation Management System (ATMS) in 2001 which monitors approximately 350 of the City’s 600 intelligent traffic signals through the fiber optic and wireless transportation network. The Synchro Green ASCT System was competitively bid, awarded and constructed in 2012 as part of the east Shaw Avenue ITS Project (SR41 to 168). The Synchro Green ASCT System was deployed by the low bid contractor at a cost of approximately $33,900 per intersection. The Synchro Green ASCT System improved travel times an average of 27%, successfully addressing varying seasonal traffic conditions for Fashion Fair, California State University Fresno, Save Mart Center, and numerous businesses along the corridor without any issues.
The System Engineering Management Plan (SEMP) for the Synchro Green ASCT System was approved by Caltrans and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for the City of Fresno. Subsequently, the Public Works Department has constructed numerous ITS ASCT Projects: Shaw Avenue (Blackstone Avenue to SR99), Herndon Avenue (Willow Avenue to SR99), Blackstone Avenue and Friant Road (McKinley Avenue to Shepherd Avenue), Dynamic Downtown BRT Corridors Fresno Street (Divisadero Street to Broadway Street) and Van Ness Avenue (Divisadero Street to Ventura Street), Blackstone Avenue and Abby Street (McKinley Avenue to Divisadero Street), Cesar Chavez Boulevard (Van Ness Avenue to Chestnut Avenue). All ITS Adaptive Synchronization Projects infrastructure improvements were competitively bid, and the Synchro Green ASCT Systems were sole source purchased from Cubic ITS Inc. at a substantial discount which was approved by Caltrans Local Assistance and Council Resolutions.
Public Interest Finding:
The Caltrans Division of Local Assistance, DLA OB 20-01, Recession of Patented and Proprietary Products (February 2020) no longer required local agencies to submit Cost-Effectiveness Determination/Public Interest Finding (PIF) for using patented or proprietary materials in Federal-aid highway projects. Public Works Department still files ITS Project PIFs with Caltrans Local Assistance and FHWA for the Synchro Green ASCT System deployments, as essential for synchronization with the existing City’s ATMS System and ASCT System for safe interoperability and cost effectiveness.
Sole-Source Procurement:
The Cubic ITS Inc. Synchro Green ASCT System is manufactured, distributed, configured, and maintained only by Cubic. On January 17th, 2018, the Public Works Department received written notification, stating that Cubic ITS Inc. will distribute only through Cubic’s direct sales channel to agencies for all of Cubic’s products and services. The Synchro Green ASCT System has gone through extensive System Engineering (SE), extensive review and approval process by Caltrans and FHWA. Public Works Department ITS Program Staff have extensive experience with the state-of-the-art Synchro Green ASCT System which demonstrates consistent reliability, safety, and effective operation of the City’s transportation system.
The Shaw Avenue ITS ASCT Project (SR41 to SR168) was competitively bid in 2012 for the ITS infrastructure construction and Synchro Green ASCT System deployment. The Synchro Green ASCT System bid cost was $305,100 for 9 traffic signals (average cost of $33,900 per intersection), which was significantly higher than the Cubic ITS Inc.’s direct sales channel prices to local agencies for all subsequent Synchro Green ASCT System purchases (average cost of $20,295 per intersection in 2021).
The Cubic ITS Inc. Synchro Green ASCT System 2025 per unit prices are approximately 11.6% less than the Synchro Green ASCT System 2021 per unit costs for Blackstone Avenue, Abby Street, Friant Road, Dynamic Downtown Fresno Street and Van Ness Avenue, Cesar Chavez Boulevard per unit costs (Council Resolution 2021-031). The six (6) Subject ITS Projects will be purchasing additional corridor specific adaptive configurations for weekend plans, summer plans, holiday plans, special event plans, ATMS update, Transit Signal Performance (TSP) modules, Signal Performance Measures (SPM) for a further enhanced adaptive transportation system as compared with the prior corridors.
The Florida Department of Transportation Agency Term Contract For Approved Products List Traffic Equipment Bid No. DOT-ITB-21-9079-SJ, 2019-2022; DOT-ITB-24-9098-SJ, 2024-2026 was used to assess Cubic ITS Inc. Synchro Green ASCT System 2025 per unit prices. The FDOT contract per unit price for Synchro Green ASCT System is $22,437 and for the intelligent 2070LX controller is $5,780, and Cubic ITS Inc’s direct sales channel to local agency price is $19,910 and $4,610 which are 11.3% and 21.5% less. The financial assessment spreadsheet is provided as an attachment.
Staff recommends City Council award six (6) purchase contracts to Cubic ITS Inc. (1) in the amount of $245,000 for the purchase of Synchro Green ASCT System for the 12 intersections required for Jensen Avenue ITS Project (PW00922); (2) in the amount of $117,000 for the purchase of Synchro Green ASCT System for the 5 intersections required for Friant Road ITS Project (PW00955); (3) in the amount of $335,000 for the purchase of Synchro Green ASCT System required for Clovis Avenue ITS Project (PW01005); (4) in the amount of $146,000 for the purchase Synchro Green ASCT System required for Palm Avenue ITS Project (PW01007); (5) in the amount of $356,000 for the purchase of Synchro Green ASCT System for the 15 intersections required for Dynamic Downtown Part 2 (PW00953); (6) in the amount of $300,00 for the purchase of Synchro Green ASCT System for the 11 intersections required for Cesar Chavez Boulevard ITS Project (PW01077); and authorize the Purchasing Manager to sign and execute the purchase order on behalf of the City of Fresno.
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed and approved to form the Resolution and Staff Report.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Staff have performed a preliminary environmental assessment of this project and has determined that it falls within the Categorical Exemption set forth in CEQA Guidelines Section 15301(c) Class 1 (existing facilities) which exempts projects involving a negligible or no expansion of an existing facility. This exemption applies because these projects involve improving efficiency of an existing roadway through coordinating the operation of existing traffic signals to reduce congestion without expansion of the roadway. The project will install intelligent traffic signal controllers in existing cabinets and synchronize the corridors. Staff determined under the CEQA Guidelines these projects fits within the definition of existing facilities in Section 15301(c) Class 1, as Categorically Exempt from further CEQA review. Furthermore, Staff has determined that none of the exceptions to Categorical Exemptions set forth in the CEQA Guidelines, Section 15300.2 apply to this project.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference is not applicable for the procurement of Cubic ITS Inc. Synchro Green ASCT System.
FISCAL IMPACT
The six (6) Subject Projects will have no impact to the General Fund. The Projects are funded by Federal grants from the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Program, Measure C New Technology Grant, and Measure C Flex.
Attachments:
Resolution
Assessment