Finance Highlights 2012 0601 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Purchase of Motorola Radios and Accessories 2 June 1, 2012 Coinciding with the implementation of the EBRCSA system is the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) mandate to meet Narrow Banding requirements by January 1, 2013. In December 2004, FCC Docket no. 99 -87 mandated that all radio equipment operating below 512 MHz must operate using narrow, 12.5 kHz channel spacing that replaces the current 25 kHz banding by that date. On January 1, 2013, all public safety and business industrial land mobile radio systems operating in the 150 -512 MHz radio bands must cease using 25 kHz efficiency technology and begin operating at least 12.5kHz efficiency technology. This deadline is the result of the FCC effort that began almost two decades ago to ensure more efficient use of the spectrum access for public safety and non - public safety users. Migration to 12.5 kHz efficiency technology (referred to as Narrow Banding) will allow the creation of additional channel capacity within the same radio spectrum, and will support more users. After January 1, 2013, licensees not operating at 12.5 kHz efficiency will be in violation of the Commission's rules and could be subject to FCC enforcement action that may include admonishment, fines, or loss of license. Nearly all Police Department radios must be replaced to comply with this requirement, as do some of the Public Works radios. The purpose of the EBRCSA is to implement and maintain an interoperable, region Project 25 compliant public safety radio system. Project 25, more commonly referred to as P25, refers to interface standards for digital radio systems enabling equipment from different manufacturers to work together. These standards allow effective communications between different public safety agencies in emergencies. Since its creation in 2007, EBRCSA has continued to acquire and develop a P25 compliant system. EBRCS (the radio system of the EBRCSA) is based on a Motorola design with a Harris Stratex microwave system connecting the radio sites. The EBRCSA has secured about $46,000,000 in grant funding for the build -out of the system infrastructure (total cost of $64,000,000, excluding design costs). The remaining funds required to complete the system are funded by the $11,000,000 in local revenue generated by participating agencies that has already been contributed and $6,000,000 in issued debt. The repayment of the debt is included in the annual operating payments made by participating agencies. The radio system is scheduled to go live in June 2012, with the intent to have the migration of users onto the system by January 1, 2013 to meet the FCC Narrow Banding deadline. FISCAL IMPACT The City has obtained funds through a number of grants for replacement of some of the needed radios. Funding for this EBRCSA project has not been included in the 2012 -13 budget since precise costs have only recently been determined. The total purchase price for the EBRCS radio equipment amounts to $469,252 (net of a trade - allowance on 116 radios of $52,700). This purchase will be made through a Municipal Lease - Purchase Agreement from Motorola Solutions, Incorporated. Currently, the City utilizes the local Motorola Solutions Distributor, Red Cloud, Incorporated and all purchases will be made through them. Additionally, all prices are based on the discounts incorporated in the current, competitively bid Contra Costa County Radio contract, derived from its RFQ # 094 -018 for Professional Grade P25 Subscriber Radios.