The purpose of this proposed purchase contract is to enhance the system-wide trunked radio network coverage for public safety by providing a mobile emergency communications facility. Initially, the mobile facility will be used at the Western Communications Tower (WCT) and then it will be available for Homeland Security and Disaster Recovery issues.
BACKGROUND:
The WCT project is being developed to support delivery of radio communication services to the Lake Country Estates area, the general western segment of Fort Worth to the Parker County line and the City's Extraterritorial Jurisdiction in northwest Tarrant County. The Information Technology Solutions Department (IT Solutions) is coordinating the development of the new communications tower, which will be located at the Eagle Mountain Water Treatment Plant. This project was funded by the sale of $2.6 million in Certificates of Obligation and a $2.6 million allocation from the Crime Control and Prevention District (M&C G-13558), for a total project budget of $5.2 million.
The WCT site is an extension of the existing digital microwave radio system, the public safety trunked radio system, and the mobile data system infrastructure. Motorola is the sole source vendor due to the proprietary operation and design of the Motorola SmartNet II infrastructure. As a result, only Motorola Communications Systems can manufacture, deliver and install the infrastructure components.
FACILITY OVERVIEW:
The new Motorola mobile emergency communications facility will contain all the necessary equipment for a complete trunked radio site and it is compatible with the existing infrastructure. The mobile facility will be 28 feet long, 8 feet wide and the inside ceiling height will be 8 feet. It will have external connections for power, grounding, control/data circuits, and antenna Radio Frequency (RF) cables. The mobile facility contains equipment for a 9-channel trunked simulcast site with no conventional channels. The mobile facility will be equipped and wired to ultimately accommodate 20 trunked channels, 5 UHF channels, and 7 VHF channels.
The mobile communication facility will initially be used at the WCT site to provide temporary communication services until the tower project is completed and activated. Due to the growth in the northwestern and western segments of Fort Worth, the need to establish communications support for public safety services warrants the interim portable solution. Thereafter, the mobile communications facility can be used to provide emergency services in the event of a disaster or major interruptions of service at one of the other 10 remote telecommunications tower sites. It is anticipated that through future grant opportunities, the mobile emergency communications facility will be equipped with additional electronics and communications capabilities.
PROJECT BUDGET:
Since November 30, 2004, the City Council has approved four M&Cs (C-20424, C-20449, P-10086 and C-20833) pertaining to the WCT Project. The approved actions were for radio communications equipment, construction of the tower, and construction of an equipment facility. For Homeland Security and disaster response reasons, the mobile emergency communication facility has been incorporated into this project. The approval of this M&C will facilitate the site being functional this Fall. Additionally, the mobile facility will provide the City with an emergency option not previously available. The following information is a recap of the WCT Project Budget as originally developed in mid 2000, and its current status:
| Project Category | Original Budget | Re-Estimate | | Notes |
|---|
| 1. Land | $ 110000.00 | $ 0.00 | | No land acquisition costs | | 2. Tower and Components | $ 891000.00 | $ 940915.00 | | Microwave expansion cost higher than anticipated | | 3. Radio System Modifications ** | $ 3763000.00 | $ 3179403.00 | ** | Contract savings | | 4. Facility Development | $ 276000.00 | $ 1054682.00 | | Some costs originally budgeted in 2&3 | | 5. Professional Work | $160,000.00 | $25,000.00 | | Savings from use of City staff | | Totals | $ 5200000.00 | $ 5200000.00 | | |
**The cost of the mobile emergency communication facility is included in the total for this expenditure category.
The WCT project is located in Council District 7; the emergency communication facility will be utilized throughout the City.
M/WBE – A waiver of the goal for M/WBE subcontracting requirements was requested and approved by the M/WBE Office because the purchase of goods and services is from sources where subcontracting or supplier opportunities are negligible.
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