To: Board of Supervisors
From: Anna Roth, Health Services Director
Report Title: Purchase Order with Remote Satellite Systems International Inc.
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Purchasing Agent, or designee, to execute on behalf of the Health Services Director, a purchase order with Remote Satellite Systems International Inc. in an amount not to exceed $6,000 for satellite phones and voice service, and ACCEPT the Remote Satellite Systems International Inc. Terms and Conditions of Purchase or Rental and Use of Equipment and Communications and Other Services for the period from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Approval of this action will result in expenditures of up to $6,000 and will be funded by Public Health Emergency Planning Unit Funds (5752).
BACKGROUND:
The Contra Costa County HazMat team utilizes the Remote Satellite Systems International Inc. Information Sharing Assessment Tool (ISAT) economy plan to supply satellite coverage for remote satellite connectivity of the Contra Costa County HazMat departments satellite phones used during incident response. The economy plan provides high quality voice service and no dropped calls enabling the HazMat team to have greater visibility, efficiency and safety when out in the field. The annual subscription covers 7 satellite phones each priced at $63.95 per month and including 10 voice minutes but is subject to overage rates billed at $0.90 per minute.
The terms and conditions obligate the County to indemnify Remote Satellite Systems International Inc. for any third-party claims resulting from the County's use of the service in violation of the agreement. The terms exclude Remote Satellite Systems International Inc. from liability for any loss or damage relating to the equipment.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
If this action is not approved, the HazMat team will not have access to satellite coverage, which could pose potential issues when responding to remote locations with limited general cell service.