Telematics, generally speaking, is the data gathering process used in fleet management. It’s related to IoT (Internet of Things), and the technology has applications including fuel efficiency, emissions control, fleet management, data gathering about roads, and logistics.
GeoTab, based in Canada and with a U.S. presence in Las Vegas, was chosen after a solicitation by the state Department of General Services (DGS) and the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) equipment division. The contract was awarded as a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) with a three-year term and seven one-year options after that. BPAs are often used in government contracting to streamline procurements, save money and minimize repetition.
Geotab’s services will be used in the Caltrans fleet, and the same contract will be available for use by any other state and local government agencies in California.
The value of the agreement is so far unknown because it’s not clear how many jurisdictions may want to participate, said DGS spokeswoman Jennifer Iida.
GeoTab’s latest device, the GO9, has multiple uses including GPS vehicle tracking, engine and battery health assessments, vehicle data capture, and collision detection and notification. GeoTab also offers interoperability with third-party technology, and the platform can be upgraded to include satellite tracking, driver ID, hours of service for a vehicle, temperature tracking and camera systems. The devices can be used in electric vehicles.
“Geotab is uniquely positioned to offer California state and local agencies an open telematics platform that can be used to help improve efficiency, intelligently electrify their fleets, reduce GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions, optimize winter operations, streamline regulatory reporting and compliance and much more,” said a statement from Jean Pilon-Bignell, GeoTab's associate vice president for Government and Smart City.
This year, the federal General Services Administration awarded the company the largest telematics contract in history, through which it will equip about 211,000 federal vehicles with the technology.
