Committee approves new transponder procurement for 91 and 60 express lanes

The Riverside County Transportation Commission Programs & Projects Committee voted to approve on-call purchase agreements for transponders used on the 91 and 60 express lanes. Anthony Parrata, toll operations, told the committee staff evaluated three proposals and recommended awarding contracts to the highest-ranked firm in each transponder category, with fallback awards to the next-ranked firms if a supplier cannot fulfill orders.

"Neology was ranked number 1 for all 3 types of transponders," Parrata said, adding that CAPSH and Star Systems were ranked as next choices for certain transponder types. Staff requested authorization of $2,300,000 and a 10% contingency ($230,000), for a total not-to-exceed aggregate value of $2,530,000 to replenish inventory over the contract term.

Parrata said the agreements would be for a three-year term with two optional two-year extensions, and that purchase orders would be placed as needed; there is no guaranteed minimum purchase. The cost of transponders used on the 91 express lanes is shared equally with the Orange County Transportation Authority, he said.

There was no public comment. A commissioner moved to approve the awards and the clerk recorded unanimous affirmative votes; the committee approved the agreements.