HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo 3CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA
INTER -OFFICE MEMORANDUM
TO :
FROM
Pedro G. Hernandez
Chief Administrator/City Manager
irector
-lent Officer
DATE
SUBJECT:
REFERENCES:
ENCLOSURES:
December 15, 2006
FILE
Purchase of Weatherbug Weather
System and Accessories
I conducted an investigation to determine whether Automated Weather Source (AWS) Convergence
Technologies, Inc., located at 12410 Milestone Center Drive, Suite 300, Germantown, Md. 20876, is the sole
source provider of the WeatherBug Weather Systems and accessories, including equipment, training,
installation, warranty, support services, and maintenance, for the Department of Fire -Rescue.
According to the Fire -Rescue Department, the WeatherBug Weather System will provide accurate, timely, and
detailed weather information, locally and regionally, that is critical to ensure the safety of the First Responders
(Police and Fire) and that of the citizens they are protecting. Access to this type of point -specific information
will assist the City's Emergency Operations in determining the level of dispatch response of Police and Fire
responders as well as determining the unobstructed travel routes in response to South Florida's natural
(hurricane, tornadoes, hail, wind, rain, and floods) and manmade disasters, such as accidental toxic releases
(including chemical plumes and fire smoke) and terrorist attacks.
My investigation concluded that even though there are other internet weather services like Weather.com and
Accuweather, AWS Convergence Technologies in the year 2000 introduced an internet software program that
users have to download. Once downloaded, the program, usable only on computers using the Windows
operating system, displays the current temperature reading in the toolbar. When the reading is clicked, a
continuously updated page of weather statistics, news, and forecasts appears. If severe weather is approaching,
an audio alert sounds. Now companies like Weather.com has spawn similar programs; however, the
WeatherBug owns and operates the worlds largest, exclusive weather network of 8,000 WeatherBug Tracking
Stations and more than 1,000 cameras located at schools and public safety facilities across the United States. In
particular, the Weatherbug is exclusively being used by the Broward Emergency Management Agency,
Broward Sheriff's Department, City of Ft. Lauderdale, City of Miami Beach, and Miami -Dade County Office of
Emergency Management. The majority of these agencies purchased the Weatherbug also as a sole source and
back-up supporting documents have been attached to this memorandum supporting my sole source finding.
Overall AWS Convergence Technologies Inc. operates 271 WeatherBug stations in Florida and over 34 existing
stations in Miami -Dade and Broward County. Besides this proprietary weather notification system allowing for
users to receive data from all of its operating stations via the internet on a real -tine basis, as mentioned above,
it also allows for seamlessly integration of live camera images.
Pursuant to Section 18-92, Sole Source Contracts, of the City of Miami Procurement Code, competitive bidding
methods is not practicable when the unique and specialized expertise of one source is unlikely to be obtained
from any other source. As a result of AWS Convergence Technologies, Inc. regional presence within South
Florida and the vital nature of how these Miami -Dade and Broward public agencies can share information in
preparing for an emergency response because they are all using the Weatherbug Stations. I have determined that
that AWS Convergence Technologies Inc. Weatherbug Weather System is a sole source, recommend that the
requirements for competitive bidding be waived, and these findings be approved.
It is respectfully recommended that the City Commission waive the necessity of competitive bids and approve
the attached Resolution for the sole source purchase of the WeatherBug Weather System and accessories,
including equipment, training, installation, support services, and maintenance.
Funding is to be provided by the Urban Area Security Initiative ("UASI") Grant Program.
APPROVED BY:
Pedio6i. Hernandez
Chief Administrator/City Manager
PGH/LS/GM
DATE: — ice ^O.o