Broward County Commission Regular Meeting

A. MOTION TO APPROVE sole source/sole brand designation of Polara Engineering, Inc. brand Accessible Pedestrian Signal (APS) equipment including replacement parts and components from the vendor, Temple, Inc., for the Broward County Traffic Engineering Division (BCTED).

ACTION:  (T-10:48 AM)  Approved.

VOTE:  9-0.

B. MOTION TO AUTHORIZE Director of Purchasing to award resultant open-end contract to sole source Temple, Inc., for sole brand, Polara Engineering, Inc. (Polara), Navigator APS system replacement parts and components, for the Traffic Engineering Division, in the annual estimated amount of $218,410, and authorize the Director of Purchasing to renew the contract for two one-year periods, for a three-year potential estimated amount of $655,230. The initial contract period shall begin on the date of award and terminate one year from that date.

ACTION:  (T-10:48 AM)  Approved.

VOTE:  9-0.

A. In accordance with the Broward County Procurement Code, Section, 21.34, Sole Source Procurement, Board approval is required for awards exceeding the Director of Purchasing’s authority after solicitation of offers in any manner deemed by the Director of Purchasing to be in the best interest of the County.

B. In accordance with the Broward County Procurement Code, Section 21.31.a.4, Award Authority, Board approval is required for award exceeding $500,000.

A. and B. Provides for the sole source/brand designation and authorizes the Director of Purchasing to award the resultant contract for the purchase of replacement parts and components of the Polara APS system.

None.

THE PURCHASING DIVISION AND THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT/TRAFFIC ENGINEERING DIVISION RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE ABOVE MOTIONS.

This item supports the Board's value of "Cooperatively delivering an efficient and accessible regional intermodal transportation network"; and the goal to "Support the development, design and construction of sustainable, multi-modal transportation facilities throughout the County, to meet the demands of residents, travelers, and businesses".

The Accessible (audible/tactile) Pedestrian Signal (APS) systems are installed and in use throughout Broward County. APS are required to meet Chapter 1 of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility standards for new signal construction, upgrades to existing traffic signals, or where otherwise requested by the public for reasonable accommodations.

Florida Statutes 316.0745, Uniform Signals and Devices, and other supporting regulation, require the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to develop specifications for traffic control devices, including audible/tactile pedestrian detectors. FDOT establishes the criterion for equipment testing and approval through their Approved Product List (APL) program to ensure compliance with FDOT technical standards and specifications. Broward County, through an inter-agency joint participation agreement with FDOT, operates and maintains all FDOT traffic signals on the State Highway System. Broward County can only legally install FDOT APL approved audible/tactile pedestrian detector systems. The Polara audible/tactile APS equipment has been approved on the FDOT APL. The sole source procurement relates directly to the Polara proprietary Two-Wire audible/tactile Accessible Pedestrian detector System and its proprietary replacement parts, that are required to maintain and repair any aspect of the complete Two-Wire APS systems installed at Broward County maintained signalized intersections.

On August 17, 2018, the Purchasing Division issued a Request for Information (RFI) and received a sole response from Temple, Inc., (exclusive distributor in the State of Florida) for the certified replacement component parts per letter from Polara Engineering, Inc. (manufacturer) for the required FDOT approved ADA-compliant Polara-brand APS. The Director of Purchasing approved the sole source/sole brand designation on October 30, 2018 (Exhibit 1).

The contract will be used to purchase sole brand, Polara Engineering, Inc., APS replacements parts and components, from the exclusive Polara distributor sole source, Temple, Inc. The procurement of these replacement parts and components are critical to the efficient operation of the County's traffic signal system and to the overall safety of the citizens of Broward County.

There is no incumbent or previous contract for this commodity. FDOT provided the existing APS equipment.

Brenda Billingsley, Director, Purchasing Division, (954) 357-6070