Technology Services proposes purchasing microwave radios, installation services and five years maintenance with support from Nokia of America Corporation to support communication on the public safety radio system. An award to Nokia, utilizing the HGAC cooperative contract HGAC RA05-21, will be in the total estimated amount of $1,748,353. This purchase, if approved, will be funded entirely with subscriber revenue from the Joint Radio System.
This purchase will provide equipment, installation services and maintenance with support to replace the microwave backbone that provides radio communication for the City of Plano’s public safety groups and its Joint Radio System subscribers. This purchase, if approved, will replace technology for critical public safety radio communications equipment installed initially in 2009.
The microwave system acts as a Motorola radio system backbone, interconnecting radio towers around Collin County to ensure continued access to the radio system as users traverse the service area. The microwave provides high-speed wireless transmission of radio data between towers and ensures an outage at one tower re-routes traffic to other towers around the interconnected microwave ring.
In 2009 the City of Plano entered into an agreement with the Cities of Allen, Wylie and Murphy to form the PAWM radio system, which was later renamed the Joint Radio System. The Joint Radio System is co-owned by the Cities of Plano (2/3rds) and Allen (1/3rd). The Joint Radio System provides public safety radios to these Cities and other neighboring agencies who contribute monthly subscriber fees to cover the expenses associated with the operation of the Joint Radio System.
In accordance with the Interlocal Agreement between the City of Plano and the City of Allen for a Joint Radio Communication System for Municipal Services, the City of Allen approved the purchase on October 12, 2021. As the City of Allen owns one third of the Join Radio System they will contribute that same one third share of the purchase price from their annually distributed subscriber fee revenue in the approximate amount of $582,784. As the City of Plano owns two-thirds of the Joint Radio System, the remaining two-thirds for the purchase price, an approximate $1,165,569, will be paid for from our subscriber fee revenue. The City of Plano manages the daily operation of the Joint Radio System, including the purchase and implementation of the microwave system.
If the City of Plano does not purchase the microwave radios, installation services and five years maintenance with support, Technology Services would not be able to ensure the continuity of the public safety radio system for the City of Plano, and all subscribing agencies, first responders.
The City is authorized to purchase from a cooperative purchasing program with another local government or a local cooperative organization pursuant to Chapter 271 Subchapter F of the Texas Local Government Code and by doing so satisfies any State Law requiring local governments to seek competitive bids for items. (HGAC RA05-21 and the City of Plano Contract No. 2022-0098-OA)