REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
June 13, 2019
FROM: GREGORY A. BARFIELD, Director
Department of Transportation
BY: BRIAN BARR, Assistant Director
Department of Transportation
SUSAN ROGERS, Capital Development Specialist
Department of Transportation
SUBJECT
Title
Actions relating to the purchase of on-board vehicle traffic signal priority equipment
1. Award a sole source purchase agreement to Opticom/Global Traffic Technologies in the amount of $223,844.33 for the purchase of on-board vehicle traffic signal priority equipment
2. RESOLUTION - Approve an exception to formal bidding procedures and awarding a sole source contract for on-board vehicle traffic signal priority equipment
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends Council approve a sole-source purchase order in the amount of $223,844.33 to Global Traffic Technologies (GTT) for the purchase of on-board vehicle traffic signal priority (TSP) equipment.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
FAX seeks to improve bus service and schedule adherence along the Shaw Avenue corridor between Willow Avenue and Polk Avenue. FAX intends to achieve this by deploying TSP hardware along this corridor. In order to activate and interface with TSP technology, FAX will need to add on-board vehicle TSP units to 20 buses that travel down this corridor. This is an element of the Shaw Avenue TSP capital project and a part of the efforts to improve service.
BACKGROUND
In February 2018, the Department of Transportation/FAX implemented a TSP solution along its Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) route to improve bus schedule adherence and transit operational efficiency. FAX accomplished this by installing new and/or upgrading existing Opticom equipment at 73 intersections, installed on-board vehicle units onto 20 buses, and implemented system management software.
FAX now seeks to advance on this work by improving bus service and schedule adherence along the Shaw Avenue corridor between Willow Avenue and Polk Avenue by adding TSP technology along the corridor. In order to activate and interface with TSP technology, FAX will need to add on-board vehicle TSP units to 20 existing buses that travel down this corridor.
This on-board vehicle TSP equipment supports the Shaw Avenue TSP construction project.
The on-board vehicle TSP units will include an integrated GPS and radio unit. This unit will receive GPS signals for vehicle location information and radio signals (2.4 GHz ISM band) to communicate with the TSP Detection Assembly located at designated traffic signals.
In order for the City Traffic Operations Center (TOC) retain control and coordinate operations and maintenance between its existing priority control systems, Emergency Vehicle Preemption (EVP) and TSP, the on-board vehicle TSP equipment must be compatible with the current GTT intersection equipment and the present Central Management System (CMS).
The on-board vehicle TSP units are an essential component for these buses to maintain on-time performance levels and for ensuring schedule adherence along this corridor. Opticom Traffic Signal Priority equipment is now patented and owned by GTT. Therefore, the needs for FAX to maintain interoperability and compatibility with existing GTT equipment means the on-board units can only be sourced from GTT. This manufacturer no longer distributes its equipment to third-party resellers.
On October 22, 2018, FAX solicited a Request for Information (RFI) to solicit information on qualified vendors who manufacture on-board vehicle TSP equipment, which is natively compatible with the City’s existing Opticom/GTT intersection equipment and CMS.
The RFI closed on November 13, 2018, with two responses. It was confirmed through review that one of the proposers did not meet the specifications of the RFI. FAX has concluded GTT is the only vendor that can supply the required equipment in the United States.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDING
By the definition provided in the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines Section 15378, the award of this contract is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act requirements.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
The Local Preference Ordinance (FMC 4-108) was not applied because this is a sole source agreement.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact to the General Fund from this request. This purchase is funded by Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funds and FAX capital funding already included in the department FY19 capital budget.
Attachments:
Sole Source Justification Memo
Resolution
Product Purchase Contract