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Housing Authority approves proprietary cameras contract after debate over vendor certification and M/WBE participation
Summary
The Housing Authority selected Zicom Technology Group for a citywide security-camera installation and maintenance contract using the Verkada platform; staff said the proprietary platform limited local M/WBE participation and identified Mindburn (non-local) as a certified MBE subcontractor for cabling work.
The Housing Authority approved a large contract with Zicom Technology Group for installation, maintenance and purchase of an authority-wide security camera system based on the Verkada platform. Commissioners pressed staff on M/WBE participation and whether monitoring would be part of the contract.
Why it matters: The contract includes sizable equipment purchases for a proprietary platform (Verkada) that staff said restricts eligible vendors to Verkada-certified dealers. That certification constraint limited the pool of local certified M/WBE vendors able to bid on the project.
Key details from the discussion
Housing Authority procurement staff explained that the RFP evaluated platform integration, camera hardware and warranty support; Verkada requires licensed dealers to sell and service the cameras. Staff said the total contract value is large (discussion referenced roughly $3.5 million, with more than half allocated to hardware purchases) and that certified local MBEs/WBEs capable of selling and servicing Verkada equipment were not found.
Zicom Technology Group was identified as the highest-scoring responsive bidder. Procurement staff and the prime worked with an MBE firm named Mindburn (based outside Pittsburgh) to provide subcontracted cabling and installation work. Mindburn provided a representative who said the company is 100% minority owned, certified by the Eastern Minority Supplier Diversity Council, and that it is Verkada-certified or in the process of updating certifications for 2025.
Commissioners asked whether the contract includes monitoring of camera feeds. Housing Authority staff said the contract covers purchase, installation and maintenance; monitoring is performed by the Housing Authority's public safety department and the City of Pittsburgh Police, not by the vendor.
Vote and outcome
The commission approved the contract by voice vote after discussion. Commissioners asked staff to continue efforts to increase M/WBE participation where feasible; staff said the proprietary nature of the platform narrowed options and that Zicom had outreached broadly to potential subcontractors.
What the contract requires next
Procurement staff will finalize Verkada licensing, coordinate subcontractor work orders and require the prime to document M/WBE participation. Commissioners asked staff to continue outreach and to bundle work orders where needed to make subcontracting from non-local MBEs viable.
