Title
Airport Lightning Detection System Upgrade
Action
Action:
A. Approve the purchase of a TWX Lightning Alert System, as authorized by the sole source exemption of G.S. 143-129 (e)(6),
B. Approve a contract with Vaisala, Inc. for the purchase of a TWX Lightning Alert System,
C. Authorize the City Manager to approve the purchase of maintenance and support for as long as the City uses the system,
D. Authorize the City Manager to purchase additional upgrades, services, hardware, and software licenses as needed from time to time to optimize Aviation’s use of the system, and
E. Adopt a budget ordinance appropriating $349,261 from the Aviation Discretionary Fund to the Aviation Community Investment Fund.
Body
Staff Resource(s):
Brent Cagle, Aviation
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 standardization or compatibility is the overriding consideration.
§ The City Council must approve purchases made under the sole source exception.
Explanation
§ The purchase is for the upgrade of the Airport’s existing lightning detection and warning system.
§ The product meets Federal Aviation Administration guidelines, and is part of a global ground-based sensor network that is managed directly by Vaisala.
§ The system is vital to the safety of all personnel working on the Airport ramp.
§ All new equipment components must be compatible with the current lightning detection system.
§ The company will be paid the unit prices set forth in the contract, a copy of which is available upon request.
§ Expenditures under the contract are estimated to be $349,261.
Charlotte Business INClusion
This is a sole source contract and is exempt (Part A: Appendix 1.27 of the Charlotte Business INClusion Policy).
Fiscal Note
Funding: Aviation Community Investment Plan
Attachments
Attachment
Budget Ordinance