12-21-1993 - Traffic Signal Cabinet Replacement - Annual Purchase for 1994TO:
FROM:
City Manager f City Council
Harry W . Thomas
SUBJECT: TRAFFIC SIGNAL CABINET
REPLACEMENT - ANNUAL
PURCHASE FOR 1994
SUMMARY: Each year one to two traffic signal
cabinets are damaged as a result of
traffic accidents. The cost of
replacing these cabinets exceeds the
$10,000. limit for competitive bidding.
BACKGROUND
City of West Covina
Memorandum
AGENDA
ITEM NO. C-7b
DATE December 21, 1993.
Each year; as a result of traffic accidents or other damages, it is necessary for staff to
replace traffic signal cabinets. The costs of traffic signal cabinets- range from $10,000 to
$20,000. When an accident -occurs at a particular intersection staff will install, if at all
possible, an emergency replacement cabinet until such time as the permanent cabinet can be
installed.
ANALYSIS
At present- all'. signal cabinets. are from, a single vendor (IDC Traconex/Multisonics) All of
these' cabinets have the ability to communicate with the existing. VMS 330 signal master. A -
different vendor could: not provide anew cabinet compatible with our existing computer
equipment. In order to attain complete compatibility, assure reliable operation, and: avoid.
unnecessary inconvenience, replacement cabinets must be purchased from a -sole source
vendor.
Pursuant -to -Section 2-330 "Bidding" of the Municipal: Code, staff; therefore; recommends to
they CityCouncil that, it would be- impractical, useless,. and uneconomical. in this instance to
utilize- competitive bidding procedures and that, the public welfare would be promoted with
dispensing.with the same.
FISCAL IMPACT
While the exact cost of any particular cabinet may vary, staff makes every attempt to recover
all costs from the party or parties which damaged the equipment, or in the case in which
parties. -are unknown, the cabinets are insured through a policy carried by the City.
ALTERNATIVES
There are no alternatives to replacing damaged equipment. Equipment not replaced would
constitute a major liability for the City should another accident occur because of
malfunctioning damaged equipment.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
It is recommended that the City Council approve waiver of competitive bidding procedures
and authorize the. purchase of replacement traffic signal cabinets from IDC
Traconex/Multisonics within a cost range of $10,000 to $20,000 for the year 1994.
W . Thomas
Public Works Division
Manager/City Engineer
HWT:DLN:cn
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