Laserfiche WebLink
11.B.1. 1997-98 DATA TRANSMISSION NETWORK CORP. <br />SATELLITE NETWORK AND NEXRAD (WSR-88D) SUBSCRIBER <br />AGREEMENTS TO RECEIVE WEATHER RELATED INFORMATION <br />The Board reviewed a Memorandum of July 28, 1997: <br />TO: Honorable Board of County' Co issioners <br />THROUGH: Douglas Wright, Director <br />Department of Emergency Services <br />FROM: Nathan McCollum, Radiological Emergency Analyst i/f L <br />Department of Emergency Services <br />DATE: July 28, 1997 <br />SUBJECT: Approval of 1997/1998 Data Transmission Network Corporation Satellite <br />Network and NEXRAD (WSR-88D) Subscriber Agreements To Receive Weather <br />Related Information <br />It is respectfully requested that the information contained herein be given formal consideration <br />by the Board of County Commissioners at the next scheduled meeting. <br />DESCRIPTION AND CONDMONS: <br />As a coastal area, Indian River County is vulnerable to many types of weather anomalies and <br />severe weather events. The Department of Emergency Services utilizes satellite imagery and <br />doppler radar to analyze atmospheric .& oceanographic conditions including severe weather <br />systems such as hurricanes, tropical storms, etc. <br />Alden Electronics has been the vendor for weather observation products since 1991. Due to <br />projected price increases and product reliability, our office has examined other weather vendors <br />for an economical weather system with adequate meteorological products. <br />ALTERNATIVES AND ANALYSIS: <br />AccuWeather, Weather Systems Inc. (WSI), and Kavorous Weather provided quotes between <br />$7,000.00 to $10,000.00 each for annual service with modem downloading. Data Transmission <br />Network submitted a quote of $2,112.00 for annual service with satellite downloading. After <br />extensive investigation, Data Transmission Network Corporation was found to have superior <br />meteorological products with economical pricing. In addition to the current weather products <br />used by our office, Data Transmission Network Corporation will provide sea surface temperature <br />products, tropical oceanographic observations, atmospheric pressure observations, and upper <br />level wind patterns. <br />The satellite system annual cost is $1,236.00 and the radar system annual cost is $876.00. The <br />total annual cost of Data Transmission Network Corporation satellite and radar weather system <br />is $2,112.00. This represents an annual savings of $3,648.00 from our current Alden <br />Electronics contract. An initiation fee of $636.00 and shipping fee of $98.00 will be charged <br />when the weather system is delivered if the Board approves these Agreements with the new <br />vendor. All maintenance of the entire weather system is included in the annual fee. This <br />project will be financed with existing allocated department operating funds. <br />Installation of the satellite receiving equipment will be completed by a local vendor. Because <br />the equipment will be installed on an existing satellite pole, an exact cost estimate cannot be <br />obtained until delivery. However, the cost is not expected to exceed $1000.00. <br />Indian River County will continue to contract with Alden Electronics for Weather Wire teletype <br />products at an annual cost of $1,980.00. The federal government regulates which vendors <br />(currently only four) may offer the Weather Wire products. Data Transmission Network <br />Corporation does not have the rights to provide the Weather Wire service. <br />AUGUST 5, 1997 BOOK 10:2 PAGE 2 <br />33 <br />