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Sheriff’s office plans bids for DC power plants at two radio sites, estimates $150,000 cost
Summary
Sheriff's office staff said the county will issue small-works bids for DC (battery) power plants at the Tunk and McClure radio sites to improve radio resilience; combined cost estimated near $150,000.
The county’s radio and facilities staff told commissioners they plan to publish a call for bids using the small works roster to install DC power plants (battery back-up systems) at two radio sites, Tunk and McClure, to improve communications resiliency.
Mike Gordon of the sheriff’s office, reporting on the radio project, said most county radio shelters are AC-powered with UPSs supporting microwave links and that several sites lack space for DC racks. "We want to get that DC power plant in, where we can," he said, adding the two plants together would likely push about $150,000. Staff said they expect to schedule bid openings in June and to sequence the DC plant installation before adding radio and communications technology upgrades.
Commissioners asked technical questions about battery types and environmental performance; staff said the county is pursuing the same platform used at an existing site (Pitcher) and that state partners (Washington State Patrol) had contributed design experience at that site. Gordon said specific battery selection depends on heat and cold performance and that commonly used telecom batteries are preferred.
The board authorized staff to proceed with bid publication and to return with procurement documents and schedules. Staff noted that some sites lack shelter space and that standard practice relies on generator backup at those locations; the two identified sites were specifically selected because space exists for DC plant equipment.
