Title
Pedestrian Traffic Signal Equipment for the Visually and Hearing Impaired
Action
Action:
A. Approve the purchase of pedestrian signal equipment and parts, as authorized by the sole source exemption of G.S. 143-129 (e)(6),
B. Approve a contract with Temple, Inc. for the purchase of pedestrian signal equipment and parts for the term of three years, and
C. Authorize the City Manager to renew the contract for up to two additional, one-year terms with possible price adjustments and to amend the contract consistent with the City’s business needs and the purpose for which the contract was approved.
Body
Staff Resource(s):
Charles Abel, Transportation
Sole Source Exemption
§ G.S. 143-129 (e) (6) provides that formal bidding requirements do not apply when:
- Performance or price competition are not available;
- A needed product is available from only one source or supply; or
- Standardization or compatibility is the overriding consideration.
§ Sole sourcing is necessary for this contract because there is only one supply source.
§ The City Council must approve purchases made under the sole source exception.
Explanation
§ The Charlotte Department of Transportation (CDOT) is installing Polara accessible pedestrian signals throughout the City to provide pedestrian traffic signal pushbuttons for the hearing and visually impaired in compliance with the Public Rights-of-Way Guidelines.
- Polara pushbuttons are necessary to be compatible and interchangeable with existing traffic signals hardware.
§ CDOT currently has accessible pushbuttons at 102 of the 760 traffic signals within the City.
§ CDOT works closely with the visually and hearing impaired community to choose additional locations for equipment installation.
§ Visually and hearing impaired citizens can request accessible pushbuttons at particular locations through the Metrolina Association for the Blind, by submitting a request to 311, or by contacting CDOT directly.
§ The contract is for the purchase of new equipment for installation and parts to repair existing equipment.
§ Temple, Inc. is the exclusive distributor for all Polara products and services in the Southeast region.
§ The company will be paid unit prices set forth in the contract, a copy of which is available upon request.
§ Annual expenditures under the contract are estimated to be $150,000.
Charlotte Business INClusion
This is a sole source contract and is exempt (Part A: Appendix 27 of the Charlotte Business INClusion Policy).
Fiscal Note
Funding: General Transportation Community Investment Plan