Council authorizes sole‑source purchase of Motorola radio consoles amid end‑of‑life warning

Vandalia City Council unanimously approved Resolution 26‑R35 on June 15 to waive competitive bidding and purchase dispatch radio consoles from Motorola Solutions, following staff testimony that the city's radio system is approaching end‑of‑life and vendor support may end in coming years.

Al House said Motorola notified the department in 2024 that the current radio system is approaching end‑of‑life and that support for existing equipment will be discontinued by 2029. Staff presented a limited‑time pricing opportunity for replacement consoles and recommended proceeding on a sole‑source basis because Motorola is the only compatible provider for the existing system.

Council approved the waiver and purchase. City staff recorded the purchase price as $219,280 and said surplus equipment will be disposed of through authorized methods when replaced.

Action taken: Resolution 26‑R35 approved; sole‑source purchase authorized. Vote: unanimous (7–0).