S17-H25955 - Approve the sole source purchase of ZClient emergency alert and dispatch software licenses upgrade, maintenance and support services in an amount not to exceed $83,520.00 for the Houston Fire Department.
Specific Explanation:
The Interim Chief of the Houston Fire Department and the Chief Procurement Officer recommend that City Council approve the sole source purchase of ZClient emergency alert and dispatch software licenses upgrade, maintenance and support services in an amount not to exceed $83,520.00 for the Houston Fire Department, and that authorization be given to issue purchase orders to Custom Logic Design, Inc. This purchase consists of software maintenance that includes software upgrades and technical support for all systems in the Emergency Alerting Systems (EAS) environment.
The ZClient Emergency Alerting System (EAS) and Dispatching Information System are an IP-based dispatching structure that works over LAN (wired) and wireless (cellular service) networks. These two systems are used to dispatch information to the Houston Emergency Center (HEC), fire stations and fire apparatus. The systems are connected to the fire station control cabinets in each station to engage lights and alert the station via mechanical switches. In addition, it activates the paging system audio to announce dispatch calls.
Custom Logic Design, Inc. is the sole source manufacturer and sole provider of the emergency alert and dispatch software and holds the source code for this software application. It has no dealer networks, distributorships or third-party providers for their maintenance and support services.
This recommendation is made pursuant to Chapter 252, Section 252.022 (a) (7) “a procurement of items that are available from only one source” of the Texas Local Government Code for exempted procurements.
M/WBE Participation:
M/WBE Zero Percentage Goal Document approved by the Office of Business Opportunity.
Hire Houston First:
This procurement is exempt from the City’s Hire Houston First Ordinance. Bids/proposals were not solicited because the department is utilizing an sole source contractor for this purchase.
Fiscal Note:
Funding for this item is included in the FY17 Adopted Budget. Therefore, no Fiscal Note is required as stated in the Financial Policy Ordinance 2014-1078.
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John J. Gillespie, Chief Procurement Officer Department Approval Authority Signature
Finance/Strategic Procurement Division