A2490.SR.MG
C
ITY OF SIMI VALLEY
MEMORANDUM
Oc
tober 7, 2024
T
O: City Council
F
ROM: Department of Public Works
S
UBJECT: AUTHORIZATION TO WAIVE THE BIDDING PROCESS PURSUANT TO
THE SIMI VALLEY MUNICIPAL CODE, AND AWARD A CONTRACT TO ECONOLITE CONTROL PRODUCTS, INC. FOR TRAFFIC SIGNAL
EQUIPMENT
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
I
t is recommended that the City Council:
1. W
aive the bidding process in accordance with Simi Valley Municipal Code (SVMC) section 2-9.201(e);
2. A
ward with a contract to Econolite Control Products, Inc. (page 4) for traffic signal equipment, CP60000017, in a form approved by the City Attorney, for an amount not- to-exceed $200,000, from October 7, 2024, to October 6, 2026, for a two- year term with an option to extend for three additional one-year terms;
3. Aut
horize the City Manager to execute any subsequent contract amendments as well as incorporate future budgeted funds into the contract amount for the three, one-year term extensions, if desirable; and
4. Take such additional, related, action that may be desirable.
BACKGROUND AND OVERVIEW
T
he City currently operates 121 traffic signals and the signal control infrastructure is aging and has recently experienced outages and delays in repairs due to several factors. The equipment is manufactured by Econolite Control Products, Inc. (“Econolite Products”) . While the City contracts with Econolite Systems, Inc. (“Econolite Systems”) to maintain its traffic signals – including a requirement that Econolite Systems supply equipment from Econolite Products as part of that maintenance agreement – the Public Works Department recommends that the City execute a contract with Econolite Products to ensure that the City maintains sufficient traffic signal control equipment on- hand to respond quickly to unforeseen or emergency circumstances w ith traffic signal repairs utilizing Econolite Products equipment.
AGENDA ITEM NO.
9A
A2490.SR.MG
While the Econolite Systems contract does ensure the system is maintained on a scheduled basis, waiting for equipment to be delivered from Econolite Products can and has result ed in inefficient vehicle traffic flow when traffic signals are not fully operational.
The Public Works Director recommends that the City Council execute an agreement with Econolite Products to purchase equipment that may be utilized by Econolite Systems to help ensure the efficient operations of the City’s traffic signals. Additionally, the City may purchase Econolite equipment that may be used for other traffic signal projects, such as equipment replacements or intersection upgrades performed under separate contracts and possibly other contractors.
FINDINGS AND ALTERNATIVES
Staff recommends t hat the City Council waive the bidding requirements under SVMC section 2- 9.201(e). Specifically, having compatible equipment with the City’s existing traffic signal infrastructure is essential to maintaining uniformity and timely operation of the equipment. In addition, purchasing directly from the manufacturer yields an average savings of 15% on equipment costs compared to purchasing through 3 rd party contracts.
There are 121 intersections in the City of Simi Valley controlled by City -owned traffic signals. These intersections are operated with traffic signal controllers manufactured by Econolite Products. The City chose Econolite Products for its traffic signals in 1984 which is when the City last utilized a competitive bid process for ongoing traffic signal equipment (the City contracted with Econolite Systems via a “piggy-back” agreement in 2021).
While many manufacturer s can provide signal display equipment such as traffic signal heads, poles , and mast arms , the City selected Econolite Products to provide control equipment (this consists of cabinets, controllers , and auxiliary equipment ) for its traffic signal infrastructure. Ensuring such equipment is easily accessible ensures vehicle traffic flows efficiently through intersections. Waiving the bidding requirements under the SVMC section 2-9.201(e) allows the City to contract directly with Econolite Products to utilize its equipment. Econolite Products provides traffic signal control equipment that is desirable for the following reasons:
• Demonstrated performance;
• Availability of replacement parts (Econolite Products has been in business for over 85 years);
• Availability of technical support services (Econolite Systems maintains the City’s traffic lights); and
• Compatibility with existing equipment for interconnection purposes.
The Public Works Department’s budget includes $200,000 for traffic signal equipment.
Similar amounts will be requested in future budgets.
2 A2490.SR.MG
The following alternatives are available to the City Council:
1. Waive the bidding process in accordance with Simi Valley Municipal Code ( SVMC) section 2-9.201(e);
2. Award a contract to Econolite Control Products, Inc. (page 4) for traffic signal equipment, in a form approved by the City Attorney, for an amount not-t o -exceed $200,000,
from October 7, 2024, to October 6, 2026, for a two-year term with an option to extend for three additional one-year terms;
3. Authorize the City Manager to execute any subsequent contract amendments as well as incorporate future budgeted funds into the contract amount for the three, one-y ear term
extensions, if desirable; or
4. Do not
award a contract at this time and provide staff with further direction.
St
aff recommends Alternatives No. 1, 2, and 3.
SUGGESTED CITY COUNCIL MOTION
I m
ove to waive the bidding requirements pursuant to the SVMC section 2-9.201 (e), and award a contract to Econolite Control Products, Inc. for the amount not-to-exceed amount of $200,000, from October 7, 2024, to October 6, 2026, for a two-year term with an option to extend for three additional one-year terms, and authorize the City Manager to approve any subsequent contract amendments and incorporate future budgeted funds into the contract amount for the three, one-year term extensions, as desirable.
SUMMARY
The C
ity’s traffic signal control infrastructure utilizes equipment manufactured by Econolite Control Products , Inc. Separately, the City’s traffic signals are maintained by Econolite Systems, Inc. To ensure timely delivery of equipment that is uniform with the City’s traffic signal infrastructure, it is recommended that the City Council award the attached contract to Econolite Control Products, Inc. for traffic signal control products in the amount of $200,000 from October 7, 2024, to October 6, 2026, and further authorize the City Manager to approve any subsequent contract amendments to incorporate future budgeted funds into the contract amount, and to extend the contract term. ______
______________________________
Ronald K. Fuchiwaki
Public Works Director
Pr
epared by: Dylan Gunning, Senior Management Analyst
INDEX Page
Contract .............................................................................................. 4 3 2-Contract.doc 10/2/24
AGREEMENT NO. 3250014
Services Agreement
CONTRACTOR: Econolite Control Products, Inc. DATE MAILED: 10/07/2024 Below you will find a checklist relating to Insurance and other requirements that are required for doing business with the Ci ty of Simi Valley. Only those items checked- off are MANDATORY, however if your standard policies exceed the minimum requirements please include. Commercial general liability insurance must meet or exceed the requirements of ISO -CGL Form No. CG 00 01 11 85 or 88, or equivalent. The amount of insurance set forth below will be a combined single limit per occurrence for bodily injury, personal injury, and property damage for the policy coverage. Liability policies will be endorsed to name the City, its officials, and employees as “additional insureds” under said insurance coverage and to state that such insurance will be deemed “primary” such that any other insurance that may be carried by the City will be excess thereto. Such insurance must be on an “occurrence,” not a “claims made,” basis and will not be cancelable or subject to reduction except upon thirty (30) days prior written notice to the City.