HomeMy WebLinkAboutExhibit 8SEP -14-2004 18:51 CITY MANAGERS OFFICE 305 41G 1819 P.02
CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA
INTER -OFFICE MEMORANDUM
TO; Joe Ar holo DATE August 18, 2004 FILE:
Chief Administrator/City Manager
SUBJECT: Acduisltlon of First -In® Fire Station
Alerting System
FROM: -Q-- I^ I r ^^ `~� REFERENCE9
e rcos, ireCtor
Chief Prop ern nt Officer ENCLosuRE9:
Ann es gation was conducted by staff to determine whether Westnet, Inc., a Non-&Enority/Non-Local vendor,
located at 16581 Burke Lane, Iiuntington Beach, Ca. 92647, is the sole source provider for the purchase and
installation of the First -In® Fire Station Alerting System ("Alerting System'), for the Department of Fire -Rescue,
on a contract basis for one (1) year, or until there is successful implementation and a fully operational System
throughout the remaining fire stations.
On 7uly 20, 2000, following a sole source finding by the Chief Procurement Officer and City Manager, the City
Commission adopted Resolution No. 00.605 as a sole source, which authorized and approved the acquisition and
installation of the First -In® Fire Station Alerting System from Westnet, Inc., the sole source provider, for an
arnount not to exceed $30,000, on a trial basis for Fire Station No. 3,
Following successful implementation of the Alcrting Systeru at Fire Station No, 3, the Department of Fire-R_scue
at this tune is seeking authorization to acquire and execute a Service Agreemrnt for the purchase and installation
of said Alerting System throughout the remaining stations, and to upgrade Fire Station No. 3. The Alerting
System proved to minimize emergency response time, and enhanced the firefi ghters' safe response within the firr
station. This Alerting System is set by the firefighter to alert him/her only when the apparatus they axe: assigned
to has an alarm. It is further linked to the Computer Aided Dispatch ("CAD") System, which automatically
notifies the fire stations rather than being notified on a manual basis. The Fust -In® Fire Station Alcrting System
eliminates any potential oomrnunioation delays, and streamlines the ructhod of deploying firefighters and
apparatus, thereby shortening response time.
According to Westnet, .Inc., its systern is unique and contains response and safety features not found on outer
systems. It is the inventor, manufacturer, and sole provider of its system, and holds the patents and registered
intellectual property rights. Staff was unable to locate any other systema with the same unique features,
Therefore, I am recommending that the requirements for formal competitive sealed bidding be waived, and these
findings be approved; Westnet, Inc., a Non-Minority/Non-l-oeaJ. vendor, located at 16581 Buries Lane,
Huntington Beach, Co. 92647, is the sole source provider for the purchase and installation of the First -In® Fire
Station Alerting System, on a oontraet basis for one (1) year, or until there is successful impl=ncntation and a
fully operational System throughout the remaining fire stations and the upgrade of Station No. 3, Funding, at as
estimated cost of $1,065,536.65, with a contingency reserve of $159,830.50, for a total amount not to oxoeed
$1,225,367.15, is available from the Capital Improve ents Project ("CIP") Nos, 313303 and/or 313302, Account
Codc No. 289401.6.840, B-72806, Esti uc "FS I n Alerting & RMS," (Funded by the Fire Assessment Fee
and FEMA Assistance to ofighttns Award is al Year 2003),
APPROVED BY; DATE;
I roe Arriola
Administrator/City Manager
JA/1_D4H/GM/PEB
CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA
INTER -OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Glenn Marcos, Director
Department of Purchasing
Chief William W. Bryson,
Department of Fire -Rescue
DATE : August 3, 2004
SUBJECT: Request Sole Source finding;
Westnet Alerting System;
Fire -Rescue
REFERENCES:
ENCLOSURES:
FILE FM-050.doc
This memorandum serves to request that you approve a finding that Westnet, Inc., located at 16581
Burke Lane, Huntington Beach, CA 92647, is the sole source provider for a First -In Fire Station Alerting
System utilized by the Department of Fire -Rescue at Fire Station No. 3 and originally acquired from
Westnet, Inc.
On July 20, 2000, the City Commission adopted Resolution No. 00-605 as a sole source which authorized
and approved the acquisition and installation of a First -In Fire Station Alerting System from Westnet,
Inc., the sole source provider, for an initial period of one-year, in a total contract amount not to exceed
$30,000. This alarm communication system was installed in only one Fire Station for initial testing to
ensure that it meets all necessary requirements and expectations of the City of Miami prior to installation
a the remaining fire stations.
As a result, the Westnet First -In Fire Station Alerting System has proven to minimize emergency
response time and enhanced the firefighters' safe response within the fire station by means of a low level
lighting system, which reduces eyestrain and night blindness while permitting safe journey to the
response vehicle. The Westnet First -In Alerting System is the first such system that obviates the need
for station firefighters to constantly move gear and equipment from one area in the station to another
when responding to an alarm. In an emergency unit, rapid response time is of the essence and the time
and motion expended in equipment transfers prior to leaving the station, is time wasted and potentially
life-threatening. This alert system further optimizes the response scenario by using audio and visual
cues, which decrease reaction time with a corresponding decrease response time. An additional benefit is
that Westnet is linked. to the Computer Aided Dispatch ("CAD") System, which automatically notifies
the fire stations.
Under the current system, dispatchers received the information, enter it into the CAD system and then
notify the stations manually. The timesaving of the Westnet system is significant in that automatic
notification eliminates any potential communication delays, thus streamlining the method of deploying
firefighters and apparatus and thereby shortening response time.
Pursuant to Ordinance No. 12469, adopted January 8, 2004, the proposed aforementioned alarm system is
in accordance with said grant and is funded by the FEMA Assistant to Firefighters Grant Award (FY
2003) and the Capital Improvements Project No. 313303.
Approved: -�` Date:
nn i os, P rchasing Director
PM n %n rinr
CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA
INTER -OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Glenn Marcos, Director DATE:
Chief Procurement Officer
SUBJECT
REFERENCES:
eamepla Bums, CPPB
Sr. Procurement Contracts Officer ENCLOSURES:
August 18, 2004 FILE :
Acquisition of First -In® Fire Station
Alerting System
I conducted an investigation to determine Whether Westrnet, Inc., a Non-Minority/Non-Local vendor, located at
16581 Burke Lane, Huntington Beach, Ca. 92647, is the sole source provider for the purchase and installation of
the First -Ing Fire Station Alerting System ("Alerting System"), for the Department of Fire -Rescue, on a contract
basis for one (1) year, or until there is successful implementation and a fully operational System throughout the
remaining fire stations.
On July 20, 2000, following a sole source finding by the Chief Procurement Officer and City Manager, the City
Commission adopted Resolution No. 00-605 as a sole source, which authorized and approved the acquisition and
installation of the First -In® Fire Station Alerting System from Westnet, Inc., the sole source provider, for an
amount not to exceed $30,000, on a trial basis for Fire Station No. 3.
Following successful implementation of the Alerting System at Fire Station No. 3, the Department of Fire -Rescue
at this time is seeking authorization to acquire and execute a Service Agreement for the purchase and installation
of said Alerting System throughout the remaining stations, and to upgrade Fire .Station No. 3. The Alerting
System proved to minimize emergency response time, and enhanced the firefighters' safe response within the fire
station. This Alerting System is set by the firefighter to alert him/her only when the apparatus they are assigned
to has an alarm. It is further linked to the Computer Aided Dispatch ("CAD") System, which automatically
notifies the fire stations rather than being notified on a manual basis. The First -In® Fire Station Alerting System
eliminates any potential communication delays, and streamlines the method of deploying firefighters and
apparatus, thereby shortening response time.
According to Westnet, Inc., its system is unique and contains response and safety features not found on other
systems. It is the inventor, manufacturer, and sole provider of its system, and holds the patents and registered
intellectual property rights. Staff was unable to locate any other systems with the same unique features.
Therefore, I am recommending that the requirements for formal competitive sealed bidding be waived, and these
findings be approved.- Westnet, Inc., a Non-Minority/Non-Local vendor, located at 16581 Burke Lane,
Huntington Beach, Ca. 92647, is the sole source provider for the purchase and installation of the First -Ing Fire
Station Alerting System, on a contract basis for one (1) year, or until there is successful implementation and a
fully, operational System throughout the remaining fire stations and the upgrade of Station No. 3. Funding, at an
estimated cost of $1,065,536.65, with a contingency reserve of $159,830.50, for a total amount not to exceed
$1,225,367.15, is available from the Capital Improvements Project ("CIP") Nos. 313303 and/or 313302, Account
Code No. 289401.6.840, B-72806, Entitled "Fire Station Alerting & RMS." (Funded by the Fire Assessment Fee
and FEMA Assistance to F;Tgfahlf"C %runt A- —A n;� �i vo r 20021
APPROVED BY: 1 r�n V ` `—' DATE: AD
Chief Proci&m* tnt Officer /
Priscilla A. Thompson
City Clerk
William W. Bryson, llirector
Department of Fire -Rescue
CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA
INTER -OFFICE MEMORANDUM
DATE: August 3, 2004 FILE: FM.051.doc
SUBJECT: public Hearing Notice
Waive Competitive Bidding
Westnet Alerting System/Sole
REFERENCES: Source; Fire -Rescue
ENCLCSURES:
Public Notice
Attached please find the public hearing notice for a waiver of the requirement for competitive
sealed bidding procedures for the purchase and installation of a First -In Fire Station Alerting
System from Westnet, Inc., the sole source provider of this equipment, for the Department of
Fire -Rescue. This item is.scheduled for the City Commission meeting of September 9, 2004.
Should you have any questions regarding this matter, please feel free to contact Assistant Chief
Reginald Duren, Department. of Fire -Rescue at (305) 416-5405.
APPROVED:
Elvi G. Alonso, Agenda Coordinator
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Encl.
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Date