Subject:  SOLE SOURCE PURCHASE OF DUNCAN ELECTRONIC PARKING METERS

 

RECOMMENDATION

 

Award the purchase of 100 electronic parking meter mechanisms, 225 electronic parking meter housings and locks and keys to Duncan Industries, Inc., for the total cost of $142,678.24, including tax and shipping, as a sole source purchase, and authorize the Director of General Services to execute the purchase order.

 

BACKGROUND

 

The Department of Transportation has requested the purchase of electronic parking meter mechanisms, housings and locks and keys to upgrade existing meters in the downtown area.

 

In FY 98-99 and FY 99-00, approximately 1,050 electronic meters were installed during a two-phased conversion to upgrade the existing mechanical mechanism in parking meters.  The benefits of electronic meters include improved accuracy and reliability, a reduction in maintenance, and an increase in revenues.

 

ANALYSIS

 

The proposed electronic parking meter equipment will provide parking meters in the downtown core area with an upgraded coin track sensor, a parking card option, allow acceptance of the new gold one dollar coin, and also provide software compatibility between Duncan software and Windows NT.  This will assist the Parking Meter Unit to download revenue data and problem reports for the electronic meters.

 

In 1999, pursuant to Municipal Code Section 4.12.149, the Director of General Services standardized the purchase of parking meters and accessories on those manufactured by Duncan Industries.  Standardization was revisited in 2000 and approved.

 

The General Services Department/Purchasing has confirmed that the requested parking meter equipment can only be supplied by the original equipment manufacturer, Duncan Industries, at a total cost of $142,678.24, including tax and shipping.  Therefore, this is a sole source purchase, pursuant to subsection 4.12.020.D of the San Jose Municipal Code.

 

PUBLIC OUTREACH

 

Not applicable.

 

COORDINATION

 

This memorandum has been coordinated with the City Attorney’s Office, Budget Office, and the Department of Transportation.

 

BUDGE REFERENCE

 

Fund:                            General Purchase Parking Fund – 533

Amount:                       $4,519,741

Budget Document:        2000-01 Adopted Operating Budget, Pg. 997

 

 

FRANCIS B. MCVEY

Acting Director, General Services Department