The East Bay Regional Communication System (EBRCS) is a public safety radio communication project being developed through a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) established by the Contra Costa and Alameda county boards of supervisors in 2007. Over the last several years, the EBRCS JPA has worked hard to develop plans for a state-of-the-art project and the project plan has evolved over time. At one point, it was estimated that the project would require over $80 million of external funding—such as bond financing—to be paid back by the users of the project. Both Alameda and Contra Costa County have been successful in acquiring grants to offset system and project costs. Representatives from both Alameda and Contra Costa Counties have been working together using Homeland Security grant funds from the Bay Area Super Urban Area Security Initiative (SUASI), Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI), State Homeland Security (SHSGP) programs, and Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) funds to fund the infrastructure build-out while the JPA formation process moved forward. To date, approximately $39 million of grant funds have been received.   
  
The most recent action taken by the Board of Supervisors on the EBRCS project was December 14, 2010 when the Board authorized equipment purchases for the Sheriff and DA's offices.   
  
Today’s request is for authorization to purchase radios and related accessories to actuate the Animal Services Department's access to the EBRCS.  
  
The Motorola APX model radios were selected following a competitive process initiated in November 2009 by the Department of Information Technology. The equipment to be purchased (radios, batteries, mountings, and other accessories) is compatible and may be used with the County’s current VHF radio system, permits a seamless migration to the new digital 700/800 MHz P25 trunked system, and meets future narrow banding requirements. The purchase of this equipment allows the Animal Services Department the capability to coordinate with other Contra Costa and Alameda Counties' Public Safety agencies.  
  
The APX series of radios preferred by the agencies purchasing in this phase of the project are currently only distributed through Motorola directly and are not yet available through other distributors. For this reason, the County Administrator has waived any additional requirements under the County’s Outreach and Small Business Enterprise Programs.  

If authorization is not granted, the Animal services Department will be unable to utilize the special public safety communications banding provided by the EBRCS.  

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