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Supervisor Briggs recommending the Board:
1) Waive the formal bid requirement for the purchase of hand-held portable radios and radio repeater equipment due to emergency in accordance with Ordinance 3.12.160 A and;
2) Authorize the Purchasing Agent to execute purchase orders for the above equipment on behalf of the El Dorado County Emergency Services Authority for use by the Fire Districts on the West Slope of El Dorado County prior to the 2011 fire season; and
3) Authorize the Sheriff to purchase the equipment with Homeland Security Grant Funds.
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Supervisor Briggs recommending the Board waive the formal bid requirement for the purchase of portable hand-held radios and three (3) new radio repeater systems. This equipment will be purchased on behalf of the El Dorado County Emergency Services Authority to be distributed to the Fire Districts on the West Slope, using Homeland Security Grant Funds awarded in 2009 and 2010.
This equipment is necessary to meet FCC "Narrowbanding" requirements. The El Dorado County Emergency Services Authority has exercised due diligence to purchase this equipment prior to this year's fire season; however, as a result of unanticipated delays related to the transition to a new radio frequency, the Emergency Services Authority was unable to confirm the appropriate equipment specifications in time to purchase the communication equipment through the normal purchasing process, and still receive the equipment prior to the beginning of this year's fire season. This equipment is essential in allowing the West Slope fire districts to communicate with one another during emergencies in accordance with FCC requirements.
The El Dorado County Emergency Services Authority has solicited three quotes through an informal bid process. $80,000 in Homeland Security Grant Funds awarded in 2009 and 2010 will fund the purchase of the hand-held radio equipment and $37,000 in Homeland Security Grant Funds awarded in 2009 will fund the purchase of the three (3) new radio repeater systems.