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Marion County OKs expedited procurement for climate‑controlled radio enclosures
Summary
The Board of Commissioners authorized a project‑specific special procurement to solicit and award contracts for prefabricated, climate‑controlled radio equipment enclosures as part of the Marion County Radio Project, citing ARPA funding deadlines and seven targeted sites outside Salem and Keizer.
The Marion County Board of Commissioners on April 9 authorized Public Works to pursue a project‑specific special procurement to buy climate‑controlled radio‑equipment enclosures for the Marion County Radio Project.
Public Works Director Brian Nicholas told the board the county is building a public‑safety radio system to serve areas of Marion County outside the cities of Salem and Keizer and that the project’s largest funding source is the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Nicholas said ARPA carries a strict expenditure deadline, which is why staff proposed an expedited procurement to purchase prefabricated enclosures that have shorter lead times than traditional precast concrete shelters.
Nicholas described the vendor product sought as insulated, steel, prefabricated enclosures with integrated grounding and redundant climate control, cable‑tray systems and animal‑proof cable penetrations. He said the project needs new or replacement enclosures at seven radio sites: four locations where Marion County currently lacks a radio presence and three existing sites with equipment that is “not salvageable.” Nicholas said his team located four fabricators in the U.S. (one in Oregon, one in Idaho, one in South Dakota and one in Illinois) that make these proprietary, commercial systems.
“Traditionally those concrete shelters are the ones agencies like Marion County have used,” Nicholas said. “Nowadays the commercial sector’s moved toward steel buildings. They’re prefabricated, fabricated more quickly and more economical, but they provide just about the same service life.”
Under the authorization, Public Works will solicit quotes from manufacturers and intend to award to the lowest responsive bidder. Commissioners asked whether multiple vendors would be solicited; Nicholas said the county expected responses from at least three fabricators but might receive fewer responses depending on interest.
The board approved the special procurement motion without further discussion. The motion was moved by a commissioner and seconded; the vote was recorded as passing by voice vote.
