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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 10h - Portable Motorola DATE: October 16, 2018 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council FROM: Michael E. Lang, Fire Chief By: Chen Suen, Battalion Chief Maria Lourdes A. Taylor, Sr. Management Analyst SUBJECT: PURCHASE ORDER WITH MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS, INC. FOR THE PURCHASE OF 17 DUAL-BAND PORTABLE MOTOROLA APX 8000 SERIES RADIOS AND 8 TRI-BAND PORTABLE MOTOROLA APX 8000 SERIES RADIOS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $131,000 Recommendation: Approve SUMMARY The Arcadia Fire Department is responsible for the maintenance of an extensive network of communication and emergency response-related equipment including its interoperability mobile radios. It is recommended that the City Council approve a purchase order with Motorola Solutions, Inc. for the purchase of 17 dual-band portable Motorola APX 8000 series radios and 8 tri-band portable Motorola APX 8000 series radios in an amount not to exceed $131,000. BACKGROUND In 2013, Motorola Solution, Inc. (“Motorola”), through their assigned manufacturer’s representative Day Wireless Communications, informed the Arcadia Fire Department that our then current fleet of portable and mobile interoperability radios would no longer be supported. Specifically, the Motorola mobile XTL 5000 radios and the Motorola portable XTS 5000 radios would no longer be repairable or serviceable within a five- year timeframe. It is vital that the Arcadia Fire Department replace its existing radios through Motorola in order to maintain system compatibility, consistency, and continuity. Additionally, all fire agencies who utilize the Verdugo Fire Communications System operate using Motorola mobile radios. Purchase Order with Motorola Solutions, Inc. for Purchasing Mobile Radios October 16, 2018 Page 2 of 3 Due to the ever-changing advancements and the costs associated with keeping up with mobile radio technology specific to the needs of fire protection services, a collective effort between local agencies was pursued to address this issue including applying for grant funds from the Assistance to Firefighters Grant. Unfortunately, the last two grant application attempts were unsuccessful. Most recently, a cost-effective purchasing opportunity through Motorola’s Los Angeles Territory Motorola APX Subscriber Volume Pricing Program (“program”) was shared among the Los Angeles County Area Fire Chiefs that will allow discounted prices for new radio orders with large volume. Through this program and the estimated number of radios that will be ordered throughout the Los Angeles County region, a 50% discount will be applied to each radio ordered. However, to qualify for this substantial discount, the Los Angeles County region fire departments must order these radios by October 2018. DISCUSSION Although the Arcadia Fire Department will continue to seek out alternative funding solutions for future purchases, the Los Angeles Territory Motorola APX Subscriber Volume Pricing Program will not be viable moving forward. As fire departments are placing their orders collectively, it is unlikely that a similar volume of orders will occur in the near future. Therefore, the highly discounted rate will no longer be available. Given the opportunity to purchase radios at a 50% discount, 25 new portable radios can be ordered with the funds allotted in the budget for this purpose: eight (8) tri-band capable portable radios will be ordered and assigned to each apparatus and 17 dual- band capable portable radios will be assigned to the remaining fire suppression/paramedics personnel for continued operations. Maintaining the communication requirements of the region is of the utmost importance. It ensures the safety of our crew members not only within our own jurisdiction, but also as they operate in adjacent areas. As advancements in technology related to communications continue, the Arcadia Fire Department seeks to maintain compatibility and meet the requirements set forth by our regional partners such as Verdugo Fire Communications. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT The proposed action does not constitute a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), and it can be seen with certainty that it will have no impact on the environment. Thus, this matter is exempt under CEQA. Purchase Order with Motorola Solutions, Inc. for Purchasing Mobile Radios October 16, 2018 Page 3 of 3 FISCAL IMPACT Sufficient funds have been budgeted in the Fiscal Year 2018-19 Fire Department’s Equipment Acquisition Fund Budget. By purchasing the mobile radios through Motorola’s volume bulk-pricing program, the City will realize a savings of $131,000, or 50% of the total retail cost of the equipment that would have been $262,000. This discounted program is available only to Los Angeles region orders for purchases made no later than October 2018. RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the City Council approve a Purchase Order with Motorola Solutions, Inc. for the purchase of 17 dual-band portable Motorola APX 8000 series radios and 8 tri-band portable Motorola APX 8000 series radios in an amount not to exceed $131,000.