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APPROVE FINDINGS AND AUTHORIZE THE SOLE SOURCE PURCHASE OF GE ORBIT 900 MHZ RADIOS FROM APPLIED TECHNOLOGY GROUP, INC. FOR THE MUNICIPAL UTILITIES DEPARTMENT (CITYWIDE)
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RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution to:
1. Approve findings pursuant to Stockton Municipal Code Section 3.68.070 in support of an exception to the competitive bidding process.
2. Authorize the purchase of 110 GE Orbit 900 MHz radios from Applied Technology Group, Inc. of Bakersfield, CA, for $317,000.
3. Authorize the appropriations of Storm, Water, and Wastewater Utility funds in the amount of $317,000 from Fund Balance.
It is also recommended that the City Manager be authorized to take appropriate and necessary actions to carry out the purpose and intent of this resolution.
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Summary
The Municipal Utilities Department (MUD) operates and maintains a 900 MHz telemetry radio system that supports communication between remote water, sanitary sewer, and stormwater pump stations, and the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system located at the Regional Wastewater Control Facility (RWCF). The MUD SCADA system gathers real time data from these remote locations to control equipment, monitor site conditions, and inform operations and maintenance staff of issues.
Modernizing the telemetry radio system is essential because the existing radios are more than 20 years old, increasingly unreliable, and difficult to support due to the limited availability of replacement parts. Updating the system will help ensure continued, stable communication for critical water, wastewater, and stormwater operations.
If approved by the City Council, this action will approve findings of an exception to the competitive bidding process and authorize the purchase of 110 GE Orbit 900 MHz radios from Applied Technology Group, Inc. of Bakersfield, CA, for $317,000.
DISCUSSION
Background
MUD’s telemetry radio system delivers vital real-time information to the SCADA system operated at the RWCF. It supports data transmission from 10 groundwater well sites, 28 sanitary sewer pump stations and 75 storm water pump stations. The information provided to SCADA informs operations and maintenance staff of pump status, wet well levels, pump run hours, discharge flow rates, and critical alarms such as pump failures, facility intrusions and high-level conditions.
The current telemetry radio system is more than 20 years old and relies on outdated technology that is increasingly difficult to maintain. Federal guidance from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the American Water Works Association (AWWA) encourages water and wastewater utilities to modernize remote telemetry and SCADA communication systems to ensure reliable operations. Updating these radios aligns with federal recommendations and represents a critical step in improving MUD’s overall system reliability.
Present Situation
The current radio network infrastructure has been past its end-of-life for several years, creating significant operational risks. When a radio fails, replacement and repair are increasingly difficult because these older GE units are no longer readily available.
The proposed solution offers a cost-effective approach to improving MUD’s cybersecurity defenses and safeguarding essential services. After a thorough review of modern product options, staff recommend purchasing GE Orbit radios from Applied Technology Group, Inc., of Bakersfield, CA, for $317,000. These new radios are compatible in form, fit, and function with the existing equipment, ensuring a smooth transition while enhancing system resilience.
Applied Technology Group, Inc. is a technology company that offers full-service radio/wireless communications and related services for public safety, commercial industries, education, private enterprise, and government agencies. They specialize in SCADA products and are the only authorized vendor of GE Orbit 900 MHz radios in this region.
Findings
Stockton Municipal Code Section 3.68.070(A)(4) provides an exception to the competitive bidding requirements when the City Council approves findings that support and justify the purchase through a sole source vendor.
Proposed findings to support this purchase are:
1. The purchase of GE Orbit 900 MHz radios is necessary because they are compatible in form, fit, and function with the existing infrastructure, which uses proprietary protocols.
2. Replacing the currently in place end-of-life equipment is essential to maintaining a reliable radio system for monitoring and controlling the water, sanitary sewer, and stormwater systems that provide vital public health services to the Stockton community.
3. Applied Technology Group, Inc., is the only authorized vendor of GE Orbit 900 MHz radios in this region.
4. Purchasing the GE Orbit 900 MHz radios from Applied Technology Group, Inc. will allow MUD to avoid additional costs associated with replacing auxiliary components, as the new radios use the same cabling, antennas, mounts, power supplies, and related hardware.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
With this action, $317,000 will be appropriated from MUD Wastewater, Water, and Stormwater Utility Fund Balance for the replacement of the aging radios.
|
Product |
Estimated Quantity |
Unit Cost including 9% Tax |
Total Cost |
|
GE Orbit |
110 |
$2,875.42 |
$317,000.00 |
|
Account |
Percentage |
Amount |
|
6511-500-800005-600-000-00-65-000-000 |
29% |
$91,930.00 |
|
6511-500-800005-610-000-00-65-000-000 |
52% |
$164,840.00 |
|
6511-500-800005-620-000-00-65-000-000 |
19% |
$60,230.00 |
This action has no impact on the General Fund or any other unrestricted funds.