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1 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: April 1, 2025 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. 8-k <br /> SUBJECT: VIPER Migration Implementation Assistance Extension <br /> DEPARTMENT: Emergency Services <br /> ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> Service Contract with Federal Kirby Saunders, Emergency Services <br /> Engineering, Inc. Director, 919.245.6123 <br /> Federal Engineering Implementation Martha Bordogna, Staff Attorney, <br /> Support Proposal 919.245.2387 <br /> PURPOSE: To: <br /> 1) Approve the County entering into a general Services Agreement with Federal Engineering, <br /> Inc., for the VIPER Implementation Support; and <br /> 2) Authorize the County Manager to execute the Agreement, subject to final review by the <br /> County Attorney, and any subsequent amendments for contingent and unforeseen <br /> requirements up to the approved budget amount on behalf of the Board of County <br /> Commissioners. <br /> BACKGROUND: Since 2001, Orange County has been working with the public safety community <br /> and planning to implement VIPER (Voice Interoperability Plan for Emergency Responders) as a <br /> statewide mission-critical radio system for first responders. In 2012, the County entered into a <br /> service agreement with Federal Engineering to perform a needs assessment for the statewide <br /> VIPER system in Orange County. In 2014, the findings from a study by Federal Engineering <br /> relating to the current radio coverage and proposed enhancements to the radio infrastructure were <br /> provided to the Board of County Commissioners. At that time, the existing Orange County public <br /> safety radio communication systems had been used for many years. The components were <br /> nearing their end of life, and replacements were no longer available. <br /> The County engaged Federal Engineering, Inc. (FE) in a multiphase approach to conduct a <br /> system evaluation, planning, and alternatives development study to improve radio and paging <br /> communication. At the May 2, 2017, Board Business meeting, Federal Engineering presented a <br /> radio system alternative analysis to the Board of County Commissioners. At the direction of the <br /> Board, Federal Engineering and County staff met with State representatives (State Highway <br /> Patrol) to discuss feasibility and acceptance. Federal Engineering returned an addendum to the <br /> May 2, 2017 report, and at the County's request, collected additional data, created a conceptual <br /> design and performed a 10-year total cost of ownership (TCO) analysis. The Detailed Expansion <br /> Alternative Analysis report was provided to Orange County on November 2, 2018. <br />