The San Francisco Board of Supervisors has given final authorization to enter into $76 million contracts that will modernize the city's public safety radio system.
Motorola won a competitive bidding process for the project, which includes purchase and installation through 2021 and maintenance and support through 2035. Harris also was a bid finalist, according to city records.
The new solution will replace the Citywide Emergency Radio System (CERS), which is reaching end of life in 2018. CERS — a mixed-mode, simulcast 800 MHz system — was first installed in 2000 and upgraded in 2009, according to an RFI posted last summer. About 6,700 radios are on the system; 80 percent are police, sheriff and fire personnel.
The procurement for a replacement began in summer 2015. According to the RFP, the city maintains radio systems for public safety, public service, Muni transportation, mobile data, San Francisco International Airport and regional interoperability.
The San Francisco Department of Emergency Management and Department of Technology are leading the project. The Board of Supervisors authorized the agreements unanimously at its Oct. 25 meeting.
