From
Zee
Title
Purchase of Flood Sirens and Flood Flashing Lights System from High Sierra Electronics ($70,316.60), American Signal ($103,529.59), and Motorola Solutions, Inc. ($9,097.00) and 5% project contingency ($9,147.20) for a grand total project amount of $192,091.19
Presenter
Stephanie Griffin, Floodplain Administrator, Gabe Johnson, Public Works Director, and Chase Wheeler, Emergency Management Coordinator
Recommended Action
Approve
Analysis
With over one-third of the City being within the floodplain, Grand Prairie has a number of locations that are prone to flooding. The Public Works Department, Office of Emergency Management, and Stormwater Department have worked together to find a flood siren system that will work with the existing flood warning and emergency management software programs to provide real-time warnings to City staff. The flood sirens will be installed at the following locations: Willow Bend Mobile Home Park (MHP), Fox Hollow Apartments, and the west side of McFalls Park. These areas were evacuated due to flooding in 2015.
All of the sirens will emit a distinct tone that differs from the typical sound that residents attribute to tornado warnings. Following the alert tone, audible instructions will be given in English and Spanish regarding the flood situation. Depending on the situation, OEM can adjust the message to direct people to evacuate or to shelter in place.
City staff will work with the City’s Public Information Officer and Marketing Department to develop an education and outreach program regarding the flood siren systems.
A rain/stream gauge is required for the flood siren at Willow Bend MHP. The rain/stream gauge system will include a flood siren directed at the MHP and a series of yellow flashing lights along East Jefferson Street to warn motorists when the road is underwater.
The flood siren for Fox Hollow Apartments will be connected to the City’s existing rain/stream gauge on Cottonwood Creek at Belt Line Road. The siren for the McFalls Park area will be attached to the City’s existing rain/stream gauge on Cottonwood Creek at Carrier Parkway.
Both High Sierra Electronics and American Signal are considered Sole Source due to the integrations required to link into the City's existing system. Local government code 252 provides an exemption from the competitive bid process when an item is considered a captive replacement and also when only available from one source.
HGAC primarily offers products that are utilized in Public Safety, Public Works, and Communications, in addition to professional consulting, personnel and financing services. A wide variety of capital equipment is under contract, and through a unique feature of HGACBuy it can be customized through the use of published and unpublished options to fit your specifications and requirements. Motorola is available through their HGACBuy contract RA05-18 which was effective May 1, 2018 and set to expire April 30, 2021.
Financial Consideration
The rain/stream gauge equipment will be provided by High Sierra Electronics for $70,316.60. The flood sirens will be provided by American Signal at $103,529.59. Radios will be provided by Motorola at $9,097.80. The total equipment and installation cost comes to $182,943.99. With a 5% contingency of $9,147.20, the total is $192,091.19.
Funding in the amount of $192,092 is available in the Storm Drainage Capital Improvements Project (401592) W.O.#01805901 (Expand rain/stream gauge system).