Lee County Department of Transportation submitted a request to Procurement Management to implement a sole source procurement for the purchase of traffic materials, parts, and equipment utilized in repairing signal cabinets, controllers, and other traffic devices throughout the County.

Procurement Management advertised a Sole Source No. SS190255MKP from March 6, 2019 through March 14, 2019 for traffic materials, parts, and equipment from Econolite Control Products, Inc., the only authorized manufacturer. No responses were received. Staff recommends purchasing the traffic materials, parts, and equipment from Econolite Control Products, Inc., in the total amount of $350,000.00. Expenditures for Fiscal Year 2017-2018 were approximately $155,000. The $350,000  amount is an estimate and a not to exceed amount, the Econolite equipment is used on all traffic signals, including planned replacements, upgrades and for any emergencies.

Econolite Control Products, Inc. has been DOT's sole provider for signal cabinets, signal controllers, and Advanced Traffic Management Operating software since the 1980s. Econolite is the sole manufacturer of these products, and the Econolite hardware and materials must be used in order to ensure compatibility and uniformity in the countywide signal network. Switching to a different traffic equipment provider would limit the ability of the signals to communicate to one another, reducing the responsiveness of the County's traffic signal network.