REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: BROCK D. BUCHE, PE, PLS, Director
Department of Public Utilities
BRYON HORN, Director
Information Services Department
BY: TIMOTHY TOMPSETT, Wastewater Manager
Department of Public Utilities - Wastewater Management Division
LUKE DRAPER, Information Services Department
Information Services Department
SUBJECT
Title
Approve the purchase and installation of cellular Long Term Evolution (LTE) equipment for the Fresno-Clovis Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility (RWRF) to MGT (formerly AMS.Net), in the amount of $191,869.28 priced from a cooperative agreement, Merced County FOCUS 2021092 Agreement (FOCUS). (Council District 3)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that City Council authorize the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) to purchase and install a private cellular LTE solution from MGT (formerly AMS.Net), in the amount of $191,869.28 priced from a cooperative agreement, Merced County FOCUS 2021092 Agreement (FOCUS).
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The RWRF currently relies on near end of life equipment to reach remote locations at the facility.
The proposed LTE solution will consolidate this equipment and provide secure wireless connectivity throughout the RWRF and at the Fresno Sanitary Landfill, which will allow staff connectivity to important business systems.
BACKGROUND
DPU’s Wastewater Management Division utilizes near-end of life equipment at the RWRF for a variety of functions, including connecting to the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) for work order management and safety procedure validation. In 2022, DPU contracted with a consultant to conduct a site network study. This study included estimating costs for a facility-wide traditional Wi-Fi solution. Upon evaluation of the study and proposed Wi-Fi solution it was determined that a traditional Wi-Fi solution is cost prohibitive. DPU requested that ISD research wireless solutions to improve resource access in a cost-effective manner. Typical non-Wi-Fi solutions were investigated and rejected, because public cellular carrier networks in the area are underdeveloped, making those services unusable. Several private LTE solutions were evaluated, and it was determined that a private LTE solution was ideal for these types of facilities because they are reliable, secure, and flexible. They operate the same way as a public 4G/5G network but allow the organization to build a fully shielded private network on their premises. The private LTE solution was determined to be the most secure and cost-effective alternative.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
By the definition provided in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378, the approval to procure this Service and associated equipment does not qualify as a “project” for the purposes of CEQA.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not implemented as this is an amendment and change order to an existing agreement.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no impact to the General Fund. Funding for this Project is included in the five-year capital
improvement budget within the Wastewater Management Division’s Sewer Enterprise Fund 40501.
The Project is located in Council District 3.
Attachment:
AMS.NET Cooperative Purchase Agreement
Merced County FOCUS 2021092 Agreement