DATE: May 29, 2015
TO: Board of Mayor and Aldermen
FROM: Eric Stuckey, City Administrator
SUBJECT:
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Authorization To Fund Contractual Services For Consulting Services, Project Management, And System Testing For The County-Wide Radio System Project (Phase I) (06/09/15 WS)
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Purpose
The purpose of this memorandum is to provide information to the Franklin Board of Mayor and Aldermen (BOMA) concerning funding for a consulting services agreement between the Williamson County Joint Communications Network Authority and Tusa Consulting Services for project management and system testing for Phase I of the County-wide Radio System project.
Background
In August of 2014, the City of Franklin entered into an Interlocal Agreement with Williamson County and the City of Brentwood to create the Williamson County Joint Communications Network Authority ("Network Authority"). The expressed goal of the Network Authority is to build a county-wide 800 MHz trunked radio system to serve public safety and public service's needs. The intent is to build off of the City of Franklin's existing 800 MHz trunked radio system to serve all of Williamson County with an opportunity to further "tie-into" the Metro Nashville radio system and other similar systems in the region. Over the past year, planning has advanced to a point that the Williamson County Joint Communications Network Authority ("Network Authority") is working toward implementation of Phase I of the County-wide radio system project over the next two fiscal years.
The first phase of the project will involve a system software upgrade of the existing Franklin radio system, the build-out of radio towers in key locations, and the purchase of radios for users. The estimated cost of Phase I of the project is approximately $17.5 million with approximately $10 million coming from Williamson County, $5 million from Brentwood, and $2.5 million from Franklin. In order to manage project implementation and conduct coverage/acceptance testing, technical services will be needed. During the original build-out of the Franklin system in 2006, the services of Tusa Consulting were used. Tusa Consulting Services proved to be highly skilled and knowledgeable about the radio system needs and in working effectively with Motorola, the radio system vendor. Tusa, who had previously provided the Network Authority Board with a detailed analysis of the Motorola proposal for build-out of the radio system, has submitted a proposal for project management and system testing services through Phase I of the county-wide radio project (see two attachments). The Network Authority Board, comprised of three representatives each from Williamson County, Brentwood, and Franklin, have recommended entering into an agreement with Tusa Consulting Services. While the Network Authority will be entering into the professional services agreement, the funding will be provided by the three entities. The Network Authority Board has recommended that the total cost of Phase I service from Tusa (estimated at approximately $255,000) be shared equally among Williamson County, Brentwood and Franklin. This would be $85,000 each.
Financial Impact
As indicated above, the proposal called for each entity (Williamson County, City of Brentwood and City of Franklin) to contribute $85,000 to the Phase I professional services agreement with Tusa Consulting Services. An additional amendment is recommended within the fourth quarter budget amendments for the City of Franklin's Fiscal Year 2015 budget to fund the full $85,000 commitment.
Recommendation
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Approval of the City of Franklin's share of this consulting services agreement at approximately $85,000 is recommended.