City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: DECEMBER 10, 2024 FROM: FIRE DEPARTMENT WARDS: ALL SUBJECT: INSTALLATION OF NEW AND UPGRADED MASTER CONTROLLER UNITS (MCUs) FOR THE FIRST-ON ALERTING SYSTEMS IN ALL FOURTEEN (14) CITY OF RIVERSIDE FIRE STATIONS IN THE AMOUNT OF $125,550.51 ISSUE:
Approve the Maintenance Service Agreement pursuant to Sourcewell Cooperative Agreement (Co-Op) #042021-WNT for the installation of new and upgraded Master Controller Units (MCUs) and furnish all labor, materials, and equipment for the First-In Alerting Systems in all fourteen (14) City of Riverside Fire Stations, in the amount of $125,550.51.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council:
Approve the Maintenance Services Agreement pursuant to Co-Op #042021-WNT for the installation of new and upgraded Master Controller Units (MCUs) and furnish all labor, materials, and equipment for the First-In Alerting Systems in all fourteen (14) City of Riverside Fire Stations, in the amount of $125,550.51; and Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute the Maintenance Services Agreement with Westnet Inc., including making minor and non-substantive changes.
BACKGROUND:
The City of Riverside Fire Department (RFD) currently utilizes the First-In Fire Station Alerting System to receive notifications for emergency responses. The alerting system is specifically designed to reduce response times by utilizing advanced technology and allows RFD to respond quickly and provide emergency services to the Riverside community.
The City of Riverside Council Riverside City Council approved the purchase of and authorized the Purchasing Manager to issue a purchase order to Westnet, Inc. in 2007 in the amount of $81,717.31 for the “First-In” station alerting system for the Arlington Fire Station. The current MCUs have been in service for seventeen (17) years.
DISCUSSION:
Currently, all 14 RFD fire stations have the First-In Fire Station Alerting System installed from Westnet, Inc. The proposed upgrade will replace all MCUs that have been in place for seventeen (17) years. The upgraded systems will offer remote monitoring and additional remote diagnostic capabilities, reducing repair times and minimizing downtown when systems malfunction.
Westnet is also the inventor, manufacturer, and sole provider of the First-In Fire Station Alerting System currently installed in all fourteen (14) RFD stations. They hold numerous patents and registered intellectual property rights for their products. Ensuring that the First-In Fire Station Alerting Systems remain up to date is critical for the RFD operations and the functionality of all fourteen (14) fire stations.
Purchasing Resolution No. 24101, Section 702(f) “Acquisition of Services”, states “Exceptions. Competitive Procurement through the Informal Procurement and Formal Procurement process shall not be required: When Cooperative Purchasing is available and undertaken or when Services can be obtained through Federal, State and/or other public entity pricing contracts or price agreements”. Westnet, Inc. has provided pricing based on a Cooperative Agreement through Sourcewell Contract #042021-WNT.
The Purchasing Manager concurs with the above recommendation.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This item contributes to Strategic Priority No. 2 – Community Well-Being and Goal No. 2.6 – Strengthen community preparedness for emergencies to ensure effective response and recovery.
Community Trust – Funds used will replace the outdated First-In Alerting system, which allows for improved and current equipment in our fire stations for emergency incidents in all Wards.
Equity – Every City of Riverside Fire Station has the First-In Alerting system, which allows for a quick alert to our fire station emergency responses within all areas of Riverside.
Fiscal Responsibility – Updating outdated technology reduces downtime for maintenance and repairs, allowing for fast remote diagnostics from Westnet for our Fire Station alerting systems.
Innovation – The First-In Alerting system is the most contemporary fire station alerting system and provides a quick and organized Fire Station alerting for Fire Department personnel.
Sustainability & Resiliency – The funding for the First-In Alert system will continue to play a part in keeping the Fire Department response times within the current and future requirements, allowing the organization to provide exceptional service well into the future.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total fiscal impact associated with the approved maintenance services agreement with Westnet, Inc. is a total of $125,550.51. Sufficient funding is currently budgeted and available in the General Fund, Fire Operations, Professional services account number 3510000-421000.
Prepared by: Steve McKinster, Fire Chief
Approved by: Steve McKinster, Fire Chief
Certified as to
availability of funds: Kristie Thomas, Finance Director/Assistant Chief Financial Officer Approved by: Mike Futrell, City Manager
Approved as to form: Jack Liu, Interim City Attorney
Attachments:
00864157 – Agreement for First-In Alerting Maintenance and Service Westnet Agreement ● Page 2