Item Number: 18
City Council / Board of Directors
Written Communications
Meeting of: April 7, 2026
Submitted By:
Doug Mathews, Director of Public Works and Water
Subject:
Authorization to Procure Licensed Microwave Radio System for the SCADA Network Recommendation:
That the Honorable Board of Directors:
(1) Determine that this procurement qualifies as a negotiated purchase for a technology product under Victorville Municipal Code § 2.28.110(a)(1); (2) Determine that this procurement qualifies as a noncompetitive negotiated purchase under VMC § 2.28.110(d); and
(3) Authorize the purchase of sixty-one (61) Aviat WMT4000 licensed microwave radio links from Petroleum Telcom, Inc., the sole authorized reseller, in an amount not to exceed $618,320.55, for the upgrade and replacement of the District’s existing public-spectrum radio system supporting the SCADA network.
Fiscal Impact:
This project was appropriated in the Fiscal Year 2025-26 annual budget under the Water Fund (Fund 410) from the following account code:
Acting in accordance with staff's recommendations will result in a fiscal impact of $618,320.55 for the procurement of sixty-one (61) Aviat WMT4000 licensed radio links.
Contingencies for potential change orders have been incorporated into the overall project budget to account for any unforeseen conditions or provisions that may arise during implementation.
Strategic Plan Goal:
Account Code Account Description Budget Amount
4100505–55050–74450 Radio Replacement Project $787,068.60 4 5
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This item aligns with Strategic Plan Goal E - Invest in Infrastructure by ensuring the continued reliability and modernization of the District’s critical communication systems.
Replacing the existing public-spectrum radios with an FCC-licensed microwave network directly supports the City’s commitment to maintaining safe, efficient, and resilient water infrastructure. The upgraded system will strengthen operational reliability, improve cybersecurity, and provide the communication capacity necessary to support current and future SCADA expansion needs across the City’s water facilities.
Background:
The City’s Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system is an Operational Technology (OT) system that serves as the central nervous system of the Victorville Water District’s (District) water operations. It provides automated control and real-time monitoring of approximately fifty-five (55) remote production, treatment, pumping, and storage sites throughout the City and Victor Valley area. The system continuously monitors water flow, pressure, reservoir levels, water quality, chemical dosing, pump operations, and alarm notifications. The infographic below illustrates the basics of a SCADA system for a potable water system.
This automation enables the District to maintain safe and reliable water service to the community around the clock, with minimal manual intervention and reduced after-hours staffing needs.
Communication between remote facilities and the central control servers is currently maintained through a microwave radio network operating in the public 5.8 GHz frequency band. Because this spectrum is unlicensed and open to public use, the District does not control who can operate within the same frequency space. As the City has grown, widespread use of Wi-Fi-enabled devices, cell phones, and other consumer electronics operating in the same frequency range has caused significant congestion within the public spectrum. This congestion has resulted in intermittent communication disruptions,
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reduced data transmission speeds, and unreliable connectivity between SCADA sites, which can impair the District’s ability to remotely monitor and control water system operations in real time. In addition to these performance impacts, reliance on a public- 4 5
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spectrum radio system presents a cybersecurity concern. Public, unlicensed frequencies are inherently more susceptible to unauthorized access, interception, and intentional interference. Although the District’s SCADA system is isolated from the public internet, the radio links transmitting operational data and control signals between facilities represent a critical communication pathway. A compromise or disruption of these links could limit real-time system visibility and control, creating operational risk for essential water infrastructure and public health.
Recognizing these challenges, the 2021 Water Master Plan (WMP) identified the need to upgrade the SCADA communication system as a critical infrastructure priority. The WMP specifically recommended replacement of the existing public-spectrum microwave network with a licensed, interference-free communication platform capable of providing reliable, high-speed data transmission and enhanced cybersecurity protections.
As the District continues to expand its operational capabilities and integrate additional facilities, including remote well sites, a modernized and secure communication network is essential to support system growth, operational efficiency, and regulatory compliance.
Discussion:
The District’s existing 5.8 GHz public-spectrum radio network has reached the limits of its effectiveness due to increasing congestion from Wi-Fi and other consumer devices operating in the same frequency range. This interference has made it difficult to maintain reliable communication between remote SCADA sites and central control servers. To address these issues, staff recommends transitioning to an FCC-licensed microwave radio system. Licensed frequencies are reserved exclusively for the license holder, eliminating interference from external devices and providing stable, uninterrupted communication between District facilities. The licensed system also enhances cybersecurity by operating as a closed, private network independent of public communication systems.
The proposed upgrade, provided by Petroleum Telcom, Inc., utilizes Aviat WMT4000 licensed microwave radios and includes third-party FCC coordination services to verify antenna sizing and ensure compliance with licensing requirements. The licensed microwave system will consist of forty-seven (47) radio links installed across key water production, storage, treatment, and booster facilities throughout the City, replacing the existing public-spectrum radios supporting the SCADA network. Although the system includes fifty-five (55) total sites, only forty-seven (47) radio links are required due to shared connections at certain locations. To support operational continuity, the proposal also includes fourteen (14) spare radios to allow for immediate replacement in the event of equipment failure or natural disasters, particularly at sites with multiple radio endpoints.
The proposal includes FCC coordination services, with licensing fees waived for municipalities, and provides ten-year licenses with renewal options. It also includes virtual staff training and extends the standard two-year manufacturer warranty to a total of three years. All hardware will be installed by District staff. 4 5
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The upgrade includes Aviat Networks’ proprietary ProVision network management software, which supports up to one hundred (100) radios and provides centralized monitoring, configuration, and diagnostics. This software will replace the existing platform and will be administered and managed by District staff. The system does not require an annual licensing or subscription fee; ongoing costs are limited to periodic software updates and optional hardware support or extended warranties, as needed.
The proposed equipment has an anticipated delivery lead time of approximately two months. As the equipment is manufactured by a U.S.-based company, procurement is not subject to import tariffs, which supports cost stability and reduces exposure to price volatility. Additionally, given the critical nature of the District’s SCADA and operational technology systems, the District requires that equipment of this nature be sourced from manufacturers operating under U.S. legal jurisdiction to support supply chain integrity, vendor accountability, and long-term system reliability.
This procurement qualifies as a negotiated purchase under Victorville Municipal Code §
2.28.110(a)(1), which allows negotiated purchases for technology products, as defined in § 2.28.050(13). The Aviat WMT4000 licensed microwave radio system constitutes a technology product because it provides the hardware and communication infrastructure required for data transmission, monitoring, and automated control within the District’s SCADA system. Additionally, this purchase meets the conditions outlined in VMC §
2.28.110(d), which permits noncompetitive negotiations when there is only one available source. Petroleum Telcom, Inc. is the only authorized reseller and service provider for Aviat WMT4000 licensed microwave radio equipment in this region, and the proposed system must integrate seamlessly with the District’s existing SCADA infrastructure.
Therefore, staff determined that a noncompetitive, negotiated purchase is appropriate and consistent with the Municipal Code. Under VMC § 2.28.110(d), City Council approval is required for any noncompetitive negotiated purchase exceeding $125,000, following a determination of applicability and method of negotiation. As the total cost of this procurement is $618,320.55, Board authorization is required.
Staff recommends that the Board determine this procurement qualifies as a negotiated purchase for a technology product under VMC § 2.28.110(a)(1) and a noncompetitive negotiation under VMC § 2.28.110(d), and authorize the purchase of sixty-one (61) Aviat WMT4000 licensed microwave radio links from Petroleum Telcom, Inc. in the amount not to exceed $618,320.55. Staff is available to answer any questions the Board may have.
Prepared By:
Anne Darroch, Senior Administrative Analyst
Mel Krejckant, Public Works & Water Administrative Manager Attachments: A. General Services Provider Standard Agreement (JRC26-103) B. Microwave Radio Network Cost Summary
C. Aviat Sole Authorized Reseller Letter