Posting Language
Title
Authorize a contract for flood warning system hardware, software, and services to detect rising water and activate roadway closures at flood-prone locations for Austin Watershed Protection with High Sierra Electronics Inc. d/b/a High Sierra Electronics, for an initial term of one year in an estimated amount of $83,000 with up to four 1-year extension options each in an estimated amount of $83,000 for a total contract amount not to exceed $415,000. Funding: $83,000 is available in Operating Budget of Austin Watershed Protection. Funding for the remaining contract term is contingent upon available funding in future budgets.
Body
Lead Department
Austin Financial Services.
Client Department(s)
Austin Watershed Protection.
Fiscal Note
Funding in the amount of $83,000 is available in the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Operating Budget of Austin Watershed Protection.
Funding for the remaining contract term is contingent upon available funding in future budgets.
Procurement Language:
Sole Source.
MBE/WBE:
Sole source contracts are exempt from the City Code Chapter 2-9B (Minority-Owned and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Procurement Program); therefore, no subcontracting goals were established.
For More Information:
Direct questions regarding this Recommendation for Council Action to Austin Financial Services - Central Procurement at: FSDCentralProcurementRCAs@austintexas.gov or 512-974-2500.
Additional Backup Information:
This contract will provide hardware, software, and services for the City’s primary program for detecting rising water and activating automated roadway closures at flood-prone locations, the Flood Early Warning System (FEWS). The system includes an integrated high water detection system, supervisory control and data acquisition platform, and High Sierra Electronics’ Contrail user interface. These systems work together to provide real time monitoring, data processing, and automated safety responses at flood-prone locations, such as low-water crossings, throughout the city. The requested contract supports departmental and citywide public safety goals by ensuring continued reliability of these programs, reducing flood-related risks, and maintaining critical emergency response infrastructure.
The FEWS high water detection infrastructure was designed and installed using proprietary technology developed by High Sierra Electronics. No other vendor can provide compatible replacement components, nor can any other supplier retrofit, maintain, or upgrade the system without compromising functionality. This contract will allow for the purchase of High Sierra Electronics parts and services to maintain and expand the current FEWS high water detection system.
If this contract is not approved, the City will be unable to maintain and expand FEWS high water detection system components, including hardware, software, and associated flood monitoring equipment. This could affect public safety, reduce system reliability, increase operational risk, and impose substantially higher future financial burdens.
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Contract Details: |
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Contract Term |
Length of Term |
Contract Authorization |
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Initial Term |
1 year |
$83,000 |
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Optional Extension 1 |
1 year |
$83,000 |
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Optional Extension 2 |
1 year |
$83,000 |
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Optional Extension 3 |
1 year |
$83,000 |
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Optional Extension 4 |
1 year |
$83,000 |
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Total |
5 years |
$415,000 |
Note: Contract authorization amounts are based on the City’s estimated annual usage and may be more or less in the initial term and in each exercised optional extension; however, the total contract amount will not exceed $415,000.