On October 27, 2014, Council approved the purchase of an IP Based Fire Station Alerting System for a total contract amount of $1,306,334.  There were seven (7) change orders executed for this contract totaling $84,552 which increased the contract amount to $1,390,886.

It is the recommendation of Technology Services to modify the existing fire station alerting system contract with PURVIS, Inc. to add three (3) one-year automatic renewals for support and maintenance.  The yearly amounts are $80,330, $82,625 and $84,925 for a total three (3) year amount of $247,880.

The system was purchased in 2014 and it is currently installed in all thirteen fire stations.  The contract amount was approved by Council in the amount of $1,306,334. Over the years, various change orders increased the contract amount to $1,390,886 to provide additional equipment to ensure the alerting system maintains its necessary operations.

The system alerts the personnel both via redundant network connections as well as over the radio system.  There are displays over the exits from the living quarters to the bays at each station that display call information for the personnel as they are headed to their apparatus.  Lights in the bunk areas are turned on automatically based on which vehicle was assigned to a call to help them get ready and apparatus doors automatically open for the dispatched vehicle to depart quickly.

It is important that the City keeps maintenance on this software as it is critical to the operation of Plano Fire-Rescue (PFR).  The redundancy built into this system assists Plano with maintaining the ISO Class 1 Insurance rating.  Maintenance on this software also allows us to get the latest security updates as well as make modifications necessary during special circumstances like the pandemic that require changes to how the fire units respond.

If this maintenance is not awarded, we leave PFR exposed to possible vulnerabilities, and risk the City of Plano possibly losing the ISO Class 1 rating.

Funding for this item is available in the 2020-21 Technology Services Applications Budget.  This request is to add three (3) one-year automatic renewals for support and maintenance to an existing contract with PURVIS, Inc., in the estimated annual amount of $80,330, which will leave a remaining balance of $1,129,863 in the 2020-21 Technology Services Applications Budget for other maintenance expenditures.  Future year expenditures are dependent on the automatic contract renewals in the annual estimated amount of $82,625 for FY 2021-22, and $84,925 for FY 2022-23.  All future year expenditures will occur within council approved appropriations.

Approval of this item relates to the City of Plano’s Strategic Plan Critical Success Factors of an Excellent, Innovative, and Accountable City Government and Safe, Vibrant Neighborhoods.