Report Prepared by: Jeff Frederick, Public Works Manager - Tax Services
Title
SUBJECT: Approval to Purchase Accessible Pedestrian Signal Components (Push Buttons at Schools), for a Total Cost not to Exceed $106,310.32, for Measure V Funded Project CP250040 and Approval to Purchase School Flashing Beacons for a Total Cost not to Exceed $132,703.67, for Measure V Funded Project CP260037
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers waiving the City’s competitive bidding requirements pursuant to Merced Municipal Code Section 3.04.210 and approving the purchase of Accessible Pedestrian Signal components to upgrade 15 traffic signals near schools as well as replace 26 school flashing beacons.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion:
A. Waiving the City’s competitive bidding requirement as permitted by Merced Municipal Code Section 3.04.210 in order to standardize equipment; and,
B. Approving the purchase of accessible pedestrian signal components for the not to exceed amount of $106,310.32 from Jam Services, Inc.; and,
C. Approving the purchase of school flashing beacons for the not to exceed amount of $132,703.67 from Jam Services, Inc.; and,
D. Authorizing the City Manager to execute the necessary documents, the City Buyer to issue the Purchase Order, and approval of change orders not to exceed 10% of the total purchase price.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, as recommended by staff; or,
2. Approve, subject to conditions other than recommended by staff (identify specific findings and/or conditions amended to be addressed in the motion); or,
3. Deny; or,
4. Refer to staff for reconsideration of specific items (specific items to be addressed in the motion); or,
5. Continue to a future meeting (date and time to be specified in the motion).
AUTHORITY
Charter of the City of Merced, Article XI, Section 1111-Competitive bidding, and Merced Municipal Code Chapter 3.04, Article III - the purchase of materials, supplies, equipment, and contractual services of an estimated value greater than thirty-nine thousand dollars ($39,000.00), the "contract threshold," shall be made by the purchasing supervisor by written contract with the lowest responsible bidder.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
As provided for in the FY 25/26 Adopted Budget.
DISCUSSION
The Public Works Department Streets Division desires to upgrade audible pedestrian electronic components at 15 traffic signals near schools. The upgrade will replace electronic control equipment, mounting hardware, push buttons and signs, which are designed to provide both a push button, with a raised vibrating tactile arrow on the button, along with a variety of audible sounds for different pedestrian signal functions. The items acquired through JAM Services will be installed by the City of Merced Public Works Department.
The project will include the following 15 traffic signals:
1. 16th and O Street
2. 16th and M Street
3. 16th and MLK Jr Blvd
4. Alexander and G Street
5. Mercy and G Street
6. Donna and G Street
7. El Portal and G Street
8. Bellevue and Barclay
9. Olive and Austin Avenue
10. Olive and Loughborough Drive
11. Olive and M Street
12. Olive and R Street
13. Olive and Meadows
14. Yosemite and Stadium Lane
15. G Street and Farmland Avenue
As part of a separate project, the Streets Division will be updating 26 school flashing beacons near 11 schools, including: Cruickshank (1), Peterson (3), Chenoweth (1), Burbank (2), Gracey (2), Muir (4), Reyes (2), Hoover (4), Tenaya (4), Rivera (1), and Fremont (2). This Upgrade will replace the flashing beacon and electronic hardware to ensure manufacture support. The existing beacons are near end of life.
Jam Services, Inc., is the authorized preferred reseller for Carmanah Technologies Corporation and Polara Products in Northern California and the single source distributor in this territory (see attachment 3).
Staff requests waiving the bidding requirements in order to standardize equipment and enhance pedestrian safety awareness near schools.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
These items were budgeted as part of two separate Capital Improvement Projects funded by Measure V - Alt Modes, including CP250040 (Pedestrian Push Buttons at Schools) and CP260037 (School Flashing Beacons). Project CP250040 is a carry-over project from FY 24/25 and has a current budget of $103,181.20; the additional amount of $3,130 will be transferred from Measure V Projects to be Determined. Project CP260037 included a budget of $120,000 for FY 25/26; the additional amount of $12,704 will be transferred from Measure V Projects to be Determined.
ATTACHMENTS
1. JAM Services Quote (Push Buttons)
2. JAM Services Quote (Flashing Beacons)
3. Sole Source Certification