Camarillo City Council
AGENDA REPORT
Date: June 25, 2025
To: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
From: Greg Ramirez, City Manager
Submitted by: Dave Klotzle, Public Works Director
Eric Tennessen, Police Department Commander
Subject: Camarillo Signal Network Supercapacitor Power Backup Procurement (TM-2024-6) – Equipment Purchase
BACKGROUND
Specification No. TM-2024-6, Camarillo Signal Network Supercapacitor Power Backup Procurement will provide supercapacitor power backup systems for traffic signal operations at 50 out of the City’s 64 signalized intersections located on arterial roadway corridors as listed in Attachment 1. The supercapacitor power backup systems ensure continued traffic signal operation during power outages, providing enhanced safety for pedestrians and motorists by maintaining traffic control at critical intersections.
DISCUSSION
To ensure competitive pricing and comprehensive market evaluation, staff issued two separate requests for quotations to all qualified industry manufacturers who provide the specialized equipment. The procurement was strategically divided into distinct components:
one solicitation for the inverter systems and a second solicitation for the supercapacitor systems. This approach allowed for specialized evaluation of each critical system component while maintaining competitive bidding practices.
During the evaluation process, it was determined that the Swarco Inc. (Swarco) supercapacitor system requires proprietary integration with its corresponding inverter system to function properly. Therefore, staff compared the combined pricing of the Swarco supercapacitor and inverter system against the Econolite Inc. supercapacitor system paired with all other available inverter options. Following this comprehensive cost analysis, Swarco was determined to provide the most cost-effective solution as the Swarco supercapacitor and inverter systems combined were the lowest combined cost versus combining Econolite Inc’s supercapacitor costs and any of the inverter bids. The equipment pricing quotations for the 41 intersection locations initially considered by staff is summarized below.
TM-2024-6 Signal Power Back up Equipment Purchase
June 25, 2025
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Name of Bidder (Supercapacitor for 41 Locations) Amount of Bid Econolite Inc. $479,088
Swarco Inc. $395,724
Name of Bidder (Inverter for 41 Locations) Amount of Bid Nextech $178,349
Swarco Inc. $ 88,979
Western Systems $ 76,794
Econolite Inc. $ 74,043
Upon review of available project funding and receipt of an updated quote from Swarco, staff identified sufficient budget capacity to procure nine (9) additional supercapacitor systems beyond the originally planned 41 units. This enhancement will provide backup power capability to a total of 50 signalized intersections throughout the City for an estimated total of $592,000. The majority of the funding will be provided by a transfer of vacancy savings in the police services budget to the traffic signal budget under the City Manager’s authority. No additional appropriations are necessary.
The quotes provided are above the $50,000 informal bidding threshold as established in City Council Policy 4.01, Section G.2. A formal solicitation would typically be required as detailed in Section G.3; however, due to the fact that all known vendors who provide the supercapacitors that meet the City’s specifications were directly contacted by City staff, staff is requesting that the City Council waive the formal solicitation requirement and authorize the procurement of the supercapacitor and inverter equipment in the amount of $592,000. The equipment will be installed by City staff at 50 signalized intersections throughout the City.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds for Specification No. TM-2024-6, Camarillo Signal Network Supercapacitor Power Backup Procurement are included in Public Works Traffic Signal Contract Services Account No. 101-3130-431.61-52 in the amount of $592,000.
CEQA DETERMINATIONS
TM-2024-6 Signal Power Back up Equipment Purchase
June 25, 2025
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Specification No. TM-2024-6, Camarillo Signal Network Supercapacitor Power Backup Procurement is not subject to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review pursuant to Section 15301 of the CEQA Guidelines, which exempts from CEQA review projects that consist of the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographic features involving negligible or no expansion of existing or former use. This agenda item meets the criteria for this exemption because the work performed is an upgrade of existing City structures.
RECOMMENDATION
1. Find Specification No. TM-2024-6, Camarillo Signal Network Supercapacitor Power Backup Procurement exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15301 of the CEQA Guidelines as operation of existing facilities; and
2. Waive the Formal Bid Soliciation requirement of Policy 4.01, Section G.3; and
3. Authorize the City Manager to approve the purchase of supercapacitor and inverter equipment from Swarco Inc. in an amount not to exceed $592,000.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Supercapacitor System Installation Location List
REFERENCE MATERIALS – AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW AT CITY HALL None