Posting Language
Title
Authorize a contract for a one-time purchase and installation of conventional radio repeaters to ensure reliable radio communications for the Greater Austin/Travis County Regional Radio System for Austin Technology Services with Bearcom in an amount not to exceed $97,507. Funding: $97,507 is available in the Capital Budget of Austin Technology Services.
Body
Lead Department
Austin Financial Services.
Client Department(s)
Austin Technology Services.
Fiscal Note
Funding for the total contract amount is available in the Capital Budget of Austin Technology Services.
Procurement Language:
Multiple cooperative purchase programs were reviewed for these goods and services. Austin Financial Services has determined this contractor best meets the needs of Austin Technology Services to provide these goods and services required for the City.
MBE/WBE:
Cooperative Agreement 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 replacement equipment for Very High Frequency and 800 megahertz conventional radio repeaters for the Greater Austin/Travis County Regional Radio System (GATRRS). Radio repeaters receive a radio signal and retransmit it at greater strength or from a better location so communications can travel farther and remain reliable. The existing repeaters have reached end of life and require replacement. GATRRS supports public safety communications, including fire alerting and mutual-aid operations. The replacement equipment will provide the required 100-watt continuous-duty functionality and integrate with the existing Motorola Project 25 environment to support system reliability.
This contract does not replace an existing contract. However, the original equipment was purchased under a contract that expired December 27, 2025. The requested quantity was determined based on the number of existing units requiring replacement and anticipated operational needs, including two spare units. Bearcom currently provides support services within the GATRRS environment; however, the equipment included in this proposed purchase was not previously purchased from Bearcom.
Cooperative associations, themselves or using a lead government, competitively solicit and award contracts that are eligible for use by other qualified state and local governments. Due to their substantial volumes, larger than any one government could achieve independently, cooperative contracts routinely include superior terms, conditions, and pricing. Use of cooperative contracts also results in lower administrative costs and time savings.
If this contract is not approved, the end-of-life equipment will remain in service, increasing the risk of equipment failure and reducing system reliability for fire alerting and mutual-aid radio communications.