SR-1000-001-06 (10)
Santa Monica, California
Council Meeting: February 11, 2003 Santa Monica, California
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: City Staff
SUBJECT: Purchase of a Dispatch Radio Frequency from Mobile Relay
Associates.
Introduction
This report recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to
negotiate and execute a contract with Mobile Relay Associates for the purchase
of a dispatch radio frequency for an amount not to exceed $302,100 including all
applicable sales tax, and on-going site rental agreement in the amount of $3,000
annually. The purchase of both the frequency and the rental agreement will be
entirely subsidized with Public Transit funds, thus not affecting the City’s General
Fund.
Background
On October 22, 2002, the City Council authorized the Big Blue Bus to negotiate
and execute agreements with Siemens Transportation Systems, Inc. for the
purchase of an Advanced Fleet Management System (AFMS). An AFMS applies
state-of-the-art technologies to provide more efficient and effective management
of transit systems by improving schedule adherence, operational efficiency, and
quality of service. A core component of the AFMS is the replacement of the
current radio and automated vehicle location (AVL) systems plus the addition of a
computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system to enhance monitoring and operations of
the bus fleet while on the street. An essential element in implementing the AFMS
is an additional 500MHz radio frequency.
Discussion
The Big Blue Bus currently uses one frequency for all voice communications for
all dispatchers, operators, supervisors, and maintenance staff. A second
frequency provides secure communications for supervisors. The AFMS radio
system will support two voice channels and one data channel that would be
available for all radio units. The two voice channels will lesson the burden on the
current primary channel while allowing for continued growth of the Big Blue Bus
fleet; provide an automatic backup channel should any single voice channel fail
or experience problems; enable dispatchers to communicate with multiple buses
simultaneously; allow bus operators to receive private, priority communication on
a single channel during emergencies while providing communication for staff on
the second voice channel; allow dispatchers, supervisors, and maintenance
personnel, to communicate directly without affecting the ability of operators to
contact a dispatcher; and provide for routine maintenance and upgrades to be
completed on equipment without interrupting communication with the fleet.
The Big Blue Bus advertised for Requests for Proposals in the Los Angeles
Times newspaper during November 2002. In addition letters were mailed to
radio frequency providers within the Southern California area requesting
proposals. Two proposals were received. Of those, only one vendor, Mobile
Relay Associates, responded with an available frequency that is within the
required range and provides adequate coverage. Mobile Relay Associates is
currently licensed to operate at one of the Big Blue Bus’ antenna sites.
Budget/Financial Impact
The cost of the frequency, antenna site connection, and all applicable sales tax
will not exceed $302,100. The annual antenna site rental is $3,000. Funds are
available for both in account number C41037300.589000
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council authorize the purchase of a radio
frequency from Mobile Relay Associates for an amount not to exceed $302,100
and an annual site rental agreement for an amount not to exceed $3,000.
Prepared By: Stephanie Negriff, Director of Transit Services
Janeene De Martinez, Assistant Director of Transit Services
Jory Wolf, Chief Information Officer
Colin Probert, Transit Systems Analyst