Recommendation
Staff recommends award of a contract to Professional Products, Inc. of Gaithersburg, Maryland in the amount not to exceed $484,494.53 for the design/build services for the new tapeless system in the
Rockville 11 offices.

Discussion
Project Description:
Rockville 11 is the award-winning government cable channel covering the Mayor & Council, news, events and programs about the City of Rockville for the residents of Rockville. Rockville 11 is currently operating with television equipment that is in disrepair and out of date by television industry standards. With the last major upgrade to the Rockville 11 channel happening in 1998, the current equipment is failing, unsupported, and unable to keep up with the Rockville 11 production requests. Additionally, the current equipment does not allow for interfacing with other PEG (Public, Education, Government Montgomery County cable channels) stations for content sharing purposes.

The award of RFP 34-10 will upgrade the master control, post production and production control systems to allow for an update of the channel’s aging technical infrastructure and provide a path for a future high definition system. This new system will save time and provide a higher quality video product.

This project includes the replacement of outdated television equipment with one (1) HD compatible broadcast-quality playback server with automation, three (3) non-linear Apple Final Cut Pro editing workstations networked to a central storage solution in a tapeless (file-sharing) format. The project also includes the following control room upgrades: a multi-viewer display, digital audio mixer, character generator and a digital switcher.

With the new upgrade, Rockville 11 will be able to:
-Remotely control emergency crawl information on the channel during inclement weather/emergency situations
-Turn programs around faster for the web since the new infrastructure will be on the City’s network allowing for speedier delivery of video content
-Produce more original programming faster due to the tapeless system and increased non-linear editor workstations (from one to three)
-Provide a better on-air product with crisper video quality
-Organize video in a structured video library with meta-data allowing for faster retrieval of archived field video for programs and special requests
-Access current on-air graphics technology allowing for a more visually appealing product
-Send and receive content from the other County PEG channels allowing for more synergy among the stations and more original content on the channel
-Save time from anticipated fewer equipment failures from outdated infrastructure

Background:
Staff has been researching and planning this upgrade for the past three years, visiting other broadcast facilities, attending demonstrations and trainings and executing a design/build RFP for this project. Rockville 11 is now ready for the implementation phase. The funding for this upgrade comes from the Cable Equipment Fund (Fund 350), which is specifically designated by the City’s cable franchise contracts for use solely for television equipment upgrades. The funding has been secured for this major upgrade for the past three years in order to execute a design/build RFP of this scope. Rockville 11 anticipates this equipment and technology to meet the City's needs for the next seven to ten years.

Mayor and Council History
This is the first time this item has been brought before the Mayor and Council.

Diversified Systems 85.40 $ 382,078.00
Baltimore, Maryland
Design & Integration 77.70 $ 429,404.00
Baltimore, Maryland
Next Steps
Purchasing Division will issue a contract to Professional Products, Inc.

Department Head:


Jenny Kimball, Assistant City Manager
Approved on: 06/14/2010

City Manager:

Scott Ullery, City Manager
Approved on: 06/14/2010