HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 6902 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 6902
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DoE{ORT�p To the Mayor and Members of the City Council January 3, 1984
�TEXPy. Subject: POLICE/FIRE CAD/COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS
On May 22, 1982, Fort Worth citizens approved the 1982-84 Capital Improvements
Program. Proposition No. 2, Public Safety Improvements, provided $3.3 million
for a new Fire communications and dispatching system, and $2.28 million for
improvements to the existing Police communications system.
Due to FCC frequency reassignments, the Fire Department is losing its existing
voice radio frequencies, and a replacement will implement an 800 MHz voice
communications and dispatch system, fire vehicle status terminals,and a fire
station alert system. The Police Department requires a new dispatch center
in the new Public Safety building, along with mobile digital terminals (MDT's)
in all patrol vehicles. Both departments require a computer assisted dispatch
(CAD) system to aid with unit deployment.
In June, 1982, a staff Communications Committee began developing the CAD/
communications systems specifications. The Committee included staff from
Fire, Police, Data Processing, City Services, and was coordinated by the
City Manager's Office. Members visited several cities (Atlanta, Phoenix,
Virginia Beach, and Miami) with systems comparable to those requested for
Fort Worth.
On December 21, 1982, the City Council authorized a contract with Public
Technology, Inc. (PTI) to help develop the CAD specifications (M&C C-6685) .
�+ PTI assembled a team involved in CAD implementation in other cities, and
worked closely with the Committee to set guidelines for the specifications.
PTI favorably evaluated the completed specifications in March, 1983.
The City's request for proposals (RFP) was issued on May 10, 1983. A pre-bid
conference on May 25th allowed the nine attending vendors to ask questions
concerning the RFP and system design.
Five bids were submitted on October 6, 1983:
1. Planning Research Corporation/Public Management Services
(PRC/PMS) ;
2. ElectroCom Automation, Inc. (formerly E-Systems, Commercial
Division; hereafter, EAI) ;
3. Motorola, Inc. (Motorola) ;
4. Tandem Computers, Inc./Eyring Research Institute (Tandem) ; and
5. Community Technology, Inc. (CTI) .
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER -- FORT WORTH, TEXAS
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 6902 - Page 2
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EfORl�A To the Mayor and Members of the City Council January 3,1984
rExAy Subject: POLICE/FIRE CAD/COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM
CTI was eliminated because it did not meet bonding requirements. Tandem
bid only the CAD systems, and was eliminated due to the high costs to the
City from interfacing the Tandem system to (a) another vendor's radio
system; and (b) the City's mainframe computer.
During evaluation of the ElectroCom, Motorola, and PRC bids, the Committee
visited four systems engineered by these vendors. Based on these inspections,
staff concluded that the City's Data Processing Department could develop
similar enhancements to the City's existing CAD systems more cost-effectively
than purchasing an entirely new Police/Fire CAD system. CAD development
by City forces would require purchase under this bid of only communications
system components. The hardware and software for in-house CAD development
would be re-bid under a separate RFP.
With the City doing CAD software enhancements, no vendor will be required
for the Police/Fire CAD system. Consequently, in-house CAD development
would mean that PRC'6 proposal should be eliminated from consideration
for an award, since PRC as a prime contractor has major responsibility
for the CAD software system.
Staff will continue to analyze the ElectroCom and Motorola bids to determine
the communications systems most appropriate for in-house CAD development.
A bid price extension will be requested from both vendors to acquire addi-
tional time for the City to do the following:
1. Obtain answers to the remaining questions concerning the
respective system designs;
2. Define the major contractual issues, including:
a. Overall systems integration responsibility;
b. Guarantee the operation of untried technologies;
C. Responsibility for subcontractor performance.
3. Develop scope of work for in-house CAD development and
overall coordination with the vendors.
A recommendation for the award of the Police/Fire communications systems
contract will be directed to Council within sixty days. If there are
additional questions concerning the project, please contact David Ivory
or Sam Nunn.
o ert L. Herche
City Manager
ISSUED BY TAJH66 MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS