Title
Recommendation to Authorize the City Manager to Purchase Emergency Vehicle Preemption Kits for Fire Department Response Vehicles from AM Signal, LLC in an Amount Not-to-Exceed $102,535.25. (Public Works 601)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Jennifer Ott, City Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City of Alameda (City) has equipped signalized intersections in its commercial corridors with Transit Signal Priority (TSP) technology. This system allows AC Transit buses to communicate with traffic signals, which then makes minor timing adjustments to help buses stay on schedule without significantly disrupting overall traffic flow.
The same Opticom equipment used for TSP also supports Emergency Vehicle Preemption (EVP), which allows fire engines and ambulances to request a green signal when approaching the intersection. This reduces response delays and lowers the risk of collisions during emergency responses.
To activate EVP, the Alameda Fire Department (Fire Department) response vehicles must be equipped with in-vehicle transmitter kits. Staff recommends authorizing the purchase of EVP kits from AM Signal, LLC (AM Signal) in an amount not-to-exceed $102,535.25. Pricing is available through Miovision Technologies US, LLC (Miovision) Sourcewell Contract 030425-MIO, a cooperative purchasing agreement established through a competitive procurement process in compliance with state law. Miovision acquired Opticom in 2023, and AM Signal is the authorized dealer for Opticom equipment under this Sourcewell contract.
This purchase will enable the Fire Department to fully utilize EVP at intersections, leveraging the City’s existing traffic signal infrastructure and maximizing the benefits of its prior investment in TSP technology.
BACKGROUND
In the early 2000s, AC Transit began deploying Opticom’s intelligent traffic signal system to implement TSP on several corridors. TSP improves transit reliability by allowing approaching buses to communicate with traffic signal controllers, which can make minor timing adjustments (such as extending a green light or shortening a red light) to reduce delays for the transit vehicle.
To support TSP on Park and Webster Streets, the City equipped its signalized intersections with Opticom receivers using funds previously approved by City Council for traffic signal modernization.
The same Opticom system also supports EVP. EVP provides fire engines and ambulances with the ability to request a green signal when approaching intersections, reducing delays and minimizing the risk of collisions while in route to incidents.
Fire Department vehicles are not yet equipped with the transmitters required to activate EVP. Installing the transmitters will complete the system, enhance public safety, and optimize the City’s investment in traffic signal technology.
City Administrative Instruction No. 5 (Purchasing Policy) allows equipment purchases either through competitive bidding or cooperative purchasing agreements. Purchases exceeding $75,000 require City Council approval.
DISCUSSION
The Fire Department currently operates without EVP activation capability. Outfitting response vehicles with EVP kits will:
• Improve emergency response times by reducing red-light delays.
• Enhance safety for first responders and the public by reducing intersection conflicts.
• Maximize the effectiveness of traffic signal EVP receivers already installed.
• Align with the City’s commitment to enhance public safety through modern technology.
The Fire Department has 25 emergency response vehicles recommended for the EVP transmitters. One additional unit will be installed in the Public Works signal maintenance truck so staff can trouble shoot the system, should there be any issues. Staff recommends authorizing the purchase of 26 EVP kits from AM Signal in an amount not-to-exceed $102,535.25. Pricing is available through Miovision Sourcewell Contract 030425-MIO, a cooperative purchasing agreement established through a competitive procurement process in compliance with state law. Miovision acquired Opticom in 2023, and AM Signal is the authorized dealer for Opticom equipment under this Sourcewell contract.
Staff continues to coordinate with the Fire Department and AC Transit on expanding TSP and EVP at additional City signalized intersections. The in-vehicle kits will be compatible with any future signal upgrades.
ALTERNATIVES
• Approve the purchase of EVP vehicle kits for Fire Department response vehicles, enabling full use of the EVP system.
• Direct staff to issue a competitive solicitation for the equipment This would demand additional staff time, delay implementation and not guarantee reduced pricing.
• Decline to authorize the purchase, resulting in a missed safety benefits and improved response times.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Funds for this purchase are available in the Public Safety Development Impact Fee Fund (305) and were approved by City Council in the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Capital Budget, Project C13000. No additional appropriations are required, and there is no impact to the General Fund.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This action complies with the Alameda Municipal Code.
This action is subject to the Levine Act.
City Strategic Plan Project TIE4 is to, “Upgrade traffic signal system technology for reliability and safety, reducing public safety response times.”
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This action does not constitute a “project” under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378; therefore, no further CEQA review is required.
CLIMATE IMPACT
There are no identifiable climate impacts or climate action opportunities associated with the subject of this report.
RECOMMENDATION
Authorize the City Manager to purchase Emergency Vehicle Preemption Kits for Fire Department response vehicles from AM Signal, LLC in an amount not-to-exceed $102,535.25.
Respectfully submitted,
Erin Smith, Public Works Director
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Ross McCarthy, Finance Director
Exhibit:
1. Quote