[Scan-DC] Washington County Goes Motorola

[Alan Henney]

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William J. Wivell (Photo credit: By Yvette May / Staff Photographer)

Wednesday June 14, 2006
Motorola wins $19.3 million contract
by TARA REILLY
tarar at herald-mail.com

WASHINGTON COUNTY


The Washington County Commissioners unanimously awarded a $19.3
million contract to Motorola on Tuesday to install a new public safety
radio system.


The county says the system will significantly improve communication
during emergencies.


The contract was well less than the original $26 million contract
proposal, which Public Works Director Gary Rohrer credited to
negotiations by a county committee.


The project's total cost, including console furniture, site
development and project management and construction inspection
expenses, is $21.7 million.


The contract award is contingent upon reaching a Communication Service
Agreement with Motorola, according to a written county statement.
Rohrer said he expects that agreement, which includes a statement of
work and project schedule, to be reached in a day.


Commissioners Vice President William J. Wivell, who once criticized
the negotiating process, said Tuesday he applauded the committee for
the lower price.


Wivell in February criticized the commissioners for allowing the
committee to move forward with negotiations without knowing the cost
of the project.


"You've done a tremendous job," Wivell said Tuesday.


County officials have said a new communications system will improve
communication among police, fire and ambulance officials responding to
emergencies. The system will replace one that is more than 30 years
old and often hampers communications among emergency responders, they
said.


The new digital platform system will include the construction of three
communications towers, and the purchase of mobile and portable radios
and alpha-numeric pagers.


Police and emergency responders have said that a weak radio system
causes interference and sometimes fails entirely while crews are
responding to calls. The new system would speed up communication and
allow police and fire and rescue personnel who are in the field to
communicate directly with noncounty agencies, including the Hagerstown
Police Department.


The current system does not allow such communication.


Rohrer said the project will take two years.

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