HomeMy WebLinkAbout10 Tait Services Software Procurement 2022AGENDA ITEM #10
TRUCKEE DONNER
Public Utility District
MEETING DATE: June 1, 2022
TO: Board of Directors
FROM: Roe Vernon, IT/SCADA Engineer
Scott Crow, IT Director/CIO
SUBJECT: Consideration of a 2022 Support Services Contract with Tait
Communications
APPROVED BY
Brian C. Wright, General Manager
RECOMMENDATION:
Authorize the General Manager to execute a support services contract with Tait
Communications for the District's DMR radio sites and cloud services in an amount not
to exceed $20,625.
BACKGROUND:
In 2017, the District engaged Tait Communications to deploy a Digital Mobile Radio
(DMR) system to replace the districts aging Motorola field radios. This system is critical
in times of local power outages as in some cases other communications (cell
phone/internet) may fail during prolonged outages. In addition, the District owned radio
network is a key safety component of electrical circuit switching operations and
emergency response.
Historically, maintaining radios with respect to firmware updates has been a time intensive
task, as all radios had to be physically returned to IT network administration to address
ongoing firmware updates, maintenance and employee changes. In 2020 the District
employed Tait's cloud based service to greatly reduce the effort involved in maintaining
the field radio's software and configuration.
While the Tait cloud based service system provides tremendous efficiencies in day to day
administration of the District's radio network, it does require annual maintenance services
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beyond the expertise of in-house staff. In order to continue to serve the District's mobile
communications need an annual maintenance services contract is necessary.
As Tait was instrumental in development and implementation of the District's system, they
have a unique familiarity and understanding of our DMR infrastructure. Per District code
3.08.050 staff has determined these IT maintenance services as special services.
Furthermore going out to competitive bid would not produce additional benefit due to the
substantial background knowledge Tait already possesses related to the District's radio
system infrastructure.
OBJECTIVES & GOALS:
This item is in support of the following goals and objectives:
05.020 Objectives:
3. Provide reliable and high quality communications for field crews.
6. Manage the District in an effective, efficient and fiscally responsible manner.
1.05.030 Goals:
1. Manage for Financial Stability and Resiliency.
FISCAL IMPACT:
$20,625 of the procurement cost will be charged IT/IS Miscellaneous General Operations.
Sufficient funds exist to afford the timing of this project's expenditure in 2022.
ATTACHMENTS:
None.
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