Voice Radio System Replacement Project Tony Hughes November 21, 2017

Overview EMWD’s current voice radio system is approximately 25 years old and is obsolete The equipment associated with this system uses old analog technology and is no longer supported by the manufacturer

Overview Continued Existing System Five channel, trunked radio system Approximately 500 vehicle and handheld radios 50 base stations Two dispatch consoles Two bi-directional amplifiers (BDA) systems Partial backhaul network (microwave and fiber) Poor coverage in Moreno Valley, Temecula, and Murrieta Poor voice security (encryption) No texting or panic button features

Hatfield & Dawson Consulting Engineers In October 2015, EMWD retained the services of Hatfield & Dawson to perform an assessment of the voice radio system and to provide alternatives and recommendations to improve coverage. Their findings included: Verified poor vehicular coverage in Moreno Valley, Temecula, and Murrieta areas Substantially less coverage with handheld radios Fragmented communication paths to the District’s Integrated Operations Center (IOC) Sky Mesa repeater site is well maintained, secure, and in excellent condition Additional repeater sites would be needed if coverage improvements are desired

Poor Radio Coverage in Moreno Valley Existing Analog Coverage Vehicular coverage is 59 percent of EMWD’s service area Handheld coverage is 30 percent of the service area Minimum desired coverage for the service area is 90 percent for vehicle radios Poor Coverage in Murrieta and Temecula

Alternatives Considered Join an existing regional system such as: - Riverside County PSEC Network - Metropolitan Water District or Replace EMWD’s current system with new up-to-date digital technology

Proposed Solution Maintain a District-Owned Digital Mobile Radio (DMR) System Implement DMR technology designed for utility companies Meets or exceeds all key requirements and has greater flexibility EMWD currently owns some of the required radio frequency spectrum and sites Easily modified and customizable Significantly lower cost Best suited to utility industry, with durable, high quality equipment Conclusions cased on DMR technology.

coverage with digital radios coverage with two additional repeaters DMR Coverage Single repeater - 69 percent Multiple repeaters - 95 percent Area Coverage (Sq. Mi.) / Population (inside District) 10 percent increase in coverage with digital radios 36 percent increase in coverage with two additional repeaters

Additional Benefits of Proposed Solution Improved clarity and reduced cross-talk/interruptions Enhanced features: Texting (PC-to-radio, radio-to-radio, group, etc.) Panic/emergency button, man down, lone worker alarms Encryption/message privacy Integration with smart phones and cellular systems Communication with MWD’s MARS radio system Optional voice recording/logging during emergencies Texting may include SCADA-to-Radio messages (optional)

Proposed Voice Radio System Replacement Project Issued RFP #EG2933 for the Voice Radio System Replacement Project on August 9, 2017 Received proposals on September 26, 2017 Three qualified proposals received Bear Communications, Inc. was selected as the successful bidder through a competitive, qualifications-based process Projected start date, January 15, 2018 Projected project completion, August 10, 2018

Summary of Project Costs No. Item Cost 1 Consultant Services - Hatfield and Dawson Consulting Engineers $128,980 2 Contractors Bid   Equipment and WAVE5000 $1,099,415 Additional Sites, Features, Warranties, Services and Costs $940,442 FCC Extension Filing $1,800 Total Bid – Bear Communications, Inc. $2,041,657 3 District Labor (Electrical Services and Information Systems) $160,000 4 Support Services – Hatfield and Dawson Consulting Engineers $20,000 Subtotal $2,350,637 Contingencies ~ 20 percent $469,363 Total Project Cost $2,820,000

Recommendation Approve and authorize a contract with Bear Communications, Inc. to design, furnish, and install a new digital voice and radio communications system in the amount not-to-exceed $2,041,657 and appropriate $2,820,000 for the total project cost.

Project Schedule Execute Contract with Bear Communications, Inc. Construct Tower and Backhaul Network Improvements Install New Radios in Fleet Vehicles and IOC Complete System Commissioning January 2018 March 2018 July 2018 August 2018

Contact information Tony Hughes Director of Maintenance (951) 928-3777 Ext. 6326 Email: hughest@emwd.org