HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 13 - RadiosMEMO TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: BRUNO RUMBELOW, CITY MANAGER
MEETING DATE: DECEMBER 6, 2011
SUBJECT: APPROVAL TO PURCHASE RADIOS FOR SCADA
COMMUNICATIONS FROM SCIENTEL WIRELESS FOR THE
WASTE WATER DEPARTMENT
RECOMMENDATION:
City Council to consider approval to purchase 41 radios for Scada communication links
for multiple lift stations throughout the City from Scientel Wireless for the Waste Water
Department. Cost not to exceed $24,602.
FUNDING SOURCE:
Funds for this purchase are available in account 200 -43370 -534 -0 (Utility Enterprise
Fund /Permanent Capital Maintenance /Waste Water Treatment Infrastructure
Maintenance) in the amount of $24,602.
BACKGROUND:
Quotes were taken in accordance with City Purchasing Policy. Formal bids and
advertisements are not required for purchases under $50,000. Three vendors submitted
quotations. A copy of the quote tabulation listing all pricing received is attached for
review.
Currently, our communications network for our SCADA system is operating on an older
existing police band. The band width that we currently communicate with will change
due to FCC regulations cutting the rate at which we communicate at in half. This will
limit our ability to adequately monitor our sewer lift stations, potentially causing sewer
overflows. Staff has found that we can integrate the current traffic signal communication
protocol into our lift stations utilizing the Microhard radio system.
The Nano IPn920 900 MHz radio from Microhard Systems, Inc. is specifically required in
order to maintain compatibility and interchangeability with existing radios already
deployed Citywide by the Traffic and Utilities divisions. This particular model radio was
selected to complement the broadband radio system installed by Traffic for the adaptive
traffic signal system as part of that original project in 2010. That radio system has
subsequently been expanded using the Microhard radios to link all of the City's school
zone flashers to a central system. Following that same design concept, this model
radio is also being used to further expand the existing radio system to include
wastewater lift stations. Selection of the same model radio for these additional
applications ensures that all radios will work seamlessly with each other, minimizes setup
and configuration effort, and reduces the number of spare units which must be stocked
across multiple divisions.
Staff recommends approval.
GR
* • •
Vendor
Unit Price
Scientel Wireless
$24,602.00
Consolidated Traffic Controls
$26,650.00
Microhard Systems
$28,495.00