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1 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: May 2, 2017 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. 7-b <br /> SUBJECT: Countywide Radio Communications Needs Assessment and Alternatives Report <br /> DEPARTMENT: Emergency Services <br /> ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> Executive Summary Dinah Jeffries, 919-245-6123 <br /> Travis Myren, 919-245-2308 <br /> PURPOSE: To receive a presentation on the Countywide Radio Communications needs <br /> assessment and alternatives analysis as well as potential cost share models for sharing the cost <br /> of the system with public safety agencies in the County, and provide feedback on the project <br /> and the funding recommendations currently contained in the Manager's Recommended Capital <br /> Investment Plan. <br /> BACKGROUND: The existing Orange County public safety radio communications systems <br /> have served first responder agencies adequately for many years. However, multiple system <br /> components are at or near end of life, spare parts are hard to find, and vendor support will be <br /> ending in the next few years. Existing radio systems do not have the built-in redundancy that <br /> prevents system outages in the event of component failure or other disasters. As Orange <br /> County continues to grow, first responder agencies have recognized that current public safety <br /> radio systems do not meet today's radio coverage, capacity, and resiliency requirements. <br /> Recognizing these factors, the County engaged Federal Engineering, Inc. (FE) in a multiphase <br /> approach to conduct a system evaluation, planning and alternatives development study. This <br /> presentation to the Board of Commissioners will summarize the work completed during the initial <br /> evaluation and planning phase. The second step in the evaluation and planning phase involves <br /> a detailed evaluation of the selected alternative radio system approaches, developing migration <br /> plans, and finalizing budgetary cost estimates. Based on the funding approach approved in the <br /> Capital Investment Plan, subsequent phases of this radio project could include the development <br /> of a competitive request for proposals, assistance during the procurement process, technical <br /> evaluations of vendor proposals, and vendor negotiations assistance resulting in an executed <br /> vendor contract. <br /> FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no direct financial impact with receiving the report. The Capital <br /> Investment Plan contains a funding recommendation for phasing in the radio project over time. <br /> This presentation is intended to inform the Board's deliberations on project funding. <br /> SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goal is applicable to <br /> this item: <br />