Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: James C. Porter, Director of Public Works
Subject: Agreement with Siemens Industry Inc. to Upgrade Fire Alarm Panels
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution waiving the Request for Proposals process and authorizing an agreement with Siemens Industry Inc., to provide design and engineering services for upgrading fire alarm control panels in multiple County facilities for the term of November 5, 2019 through June 30, 2020, in an amount not to exceed $260,612.98.
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BACKGROUND:
Multiple County facilities have an existing version of Siemens Networked Fire Alarm system which is being phased out. The maintenance and repair of this aged system has become difficult for the engineering team to service as parts will no longer be produced and are sparse. This has become an important fire, life, safety concern increasing potential for system down time due to aging panel components. An upgrade of the County’s fire alarm system requires planning and implementation for the system replacement prior to the complete phasing out. Therefore, it is important to upgrade the current system to remain operational while a long-term solution is determined.
DISCUSSION:
It is the best interest of the County to enter into an engineering and installation services agreement with Siemens Industry, Inc. which will maintain multiple County facility Networked Fire Life Safety design continuity, Fire Life Safety building code conformance, and leverage the previous work and familiarity of County-wide facility Networked Fire Life Safety system for expeditious project delivery. Project scope includes migrating to Siemens newest networked fire alarm system which will involve fire alarm engineering services and development of fire alarm system shop drawings suitable for the new Siemens Networked Fire Alarm System. The project upgrade will be implemented while maintaining connectivity to existing life safety communication devices.
Due to the proprietary nature of Siemens Networked Fire Alarm system, the health and safety considerations in maintaining the system, and the significant investment the County has made in its networked fire alarm infrastructure, the Department of Public Works recommends waiving the Request for Proposal process. Siemens Fire Alarm Systems has been a County vendor for approximately 28 years and continuation of service with Siemens will provide the County uninterrupted service while the project systems and software upgrade is implemented. This will also allow the necessary time to determine a long-term solution for fire control systems.
The scope of the services provided under the proposed agreement includes; engineering shop drawings, c-10 stamp of permit drawings as needed for compliance with International Building Code (IBC), International Fire Code (IFC), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and all local, state and/ or federal laws, codes, and regulations.
County Counsel has reviewed and approved the resolution and agreement as to form. The Contract Compliance Committee has approved the sole source justification.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The agreement is in the amount of $260,612.98, for the term of November 5, 2019 through June 30, 2020. Funding for this agreement is included in the FY 2019-20 Adopted Budget. There is no additional impact to the General Fund.