To: Board of Directors
From: Aaron J. McAlister, Chief, Contra Costa County Fire Protection District
Report Title: Telex - Request for additional funds for Dispatch Console Systems
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Purchasing Agent, on behalf of the Fire Chief, to issue a purchase order amendment with Telepath, an authorized reseller of Telex, to increase the payment amount by $20,000 to a new payment limit of $296,597 for additional key equipment that was previously not included in the original agreement, pursuant to the Sourcewell Master Agreement and the Participating Addendum between Bosch Security Systems, LLC, and Sourcewell for the purchase and installation of IP control equipment supporting two-way radio communications.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Budgeted. 100% CCCFPD EMS Transport Fund.
BACKGROUND:
In April 2026, the Board approved the Fire District’s request to execute a purchase order with Telepath, an authorized reseller of Telex, in an amount not to exceed $276,597. The purchase was made pursuant to the Sourcewell Master Agreement and the Participating Addendum between Bosch Security Systems, LLC and Sourcewell for the purchase and installation of IP control equipment to support two-way radio communications.
Following approval, it was determined that the original quote omitted a critical component necessary for full system functionality. The additional equipment is required to complete the installation and ensure reliable operation of the IP control system.
This system is essential to maintaining radio communication capabilities during major incidents, evacuations, or events requiring additional dispatch staffing. The current backup facility at the San Ramon Valley Fire and Police Department does not have sufficient seating capacity to accommodate the Fire District’s full dispatch team. Installing the Telex system in Command Vehicle 84 (CMD 84) will address this limitation and enable dispatchers to communicate seamlessly with firefighters and AMR during emergency operations.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
If this action is not approved, the fire district would not have this capability, leaving only the San Ramon Valley Fire and Police Department as a backup center.