TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THRU: Jarad Hildenbrand, City Manager
FROM: Christopher Cash, Public Works Director
1. Subject
title
First Amendment to Agreement with Nextechnology Systems, LLC dba Nextech Systems, Inc. for as-needed procurement and technical support of rectangular rapid-flashing beacon signs and related electrical devices
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2. Summary
Rectangular rapid-flashing beacons (RRFB) are traffic equipment that increase pedestrian safety at crosswalks and improve vehicle yield rates when activated. The City of Orange has successfully utilized rectangular rapid-flashing beacons manufactured by Carmanah Technologies Corporation. The product is only available through Nextechnology Systems, LLC dba Nextech Systems, which have been previously approved for sole-source procurement. This amendment to the agreement will enable the City to continue to respond to pedestrian safety needs.
3. Recommended Action
recommendation
Approve the First Amendment to agreement with Nextechnology Systems, LLC dba Nextech Systems, Inc. in the amount of $200,000 for as-needed procurement and technical support of rectangular rapid-flashing beacon signs and related electrical devices; and authorize the Mayor and the City Clerk to execute on behalf of the City.
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4. Fiscal Impact
The expense for this amendment is $200,000 and will be funded through General Fund (500) and Measure M - Traffic Improvement (263). Actual costs will be assigned to one of two project accounts:
500-5704-87101-275072 Minor Traffic Control Devices
263-5704-87101-275072 Minor Traffic Control Devices
The budget that will be used for this amendment will be requested in conjunction with the annual operating budget.
5. Strategic Plan Goals
Goal 5: Improve Infrastructure, Mobility, and Technology
6. Discussion and Background
Rectangular rapid-flashing beacons (RRFB) are traffic equipment that increase pedestrian safety at crosswalks and improve vehicle yield rates when activated. Upon activation, RRFBs alert motorists that pedestrians are present at a crossing by flashing alternating high-intensity LEDs. They are placed on both sides of a crosswalk, between the pedestrian crossing sign and the diagonal downward arrow plaque pointing at the crossing.
Several RRFB systems have been installed Citywide, all of which are developed by Carmanah Technologies Corporation (Carmanah). Carmanah RRFBs were selected because they have the smallest profile and solar panel, which are less visually intrusive for installation-especially for locations in the Old Towne District. Carmanah RRFBs are only available through Nextechnology Systems, LLC dba Nextech Systems (Nextech), therefore warranting a sole source procurement.
In June 2023, the City Council approved Nextech as a single source vendor and entered into an agreement with Nextech for the as-needed procurement and technical support of rectangular rapid-flashing beacon signs and related electrical devices.
Staff recommend continuing with Carmanah RRFBs to achieve consistency with existing infrastructure and maintenance efficiency, and Nextech is the only authorized vendor for the product in Southern California.
No budget appropriation is requested at this time. The purchase order corresponding to this agreement will be funded incrementally and as needed, through one of the City’s budgeted “maintenance-type” capital improvement projects (Minor Traffic Control Devices).
7. ATTACHMENTS
• First Amendment to Agreement with Nextechnology Systems LLC dba Nextech Systems