LIRR moves on contract to fix C-3 destination signs

Telephonics, the original manufacturer of the equipment for the destination sign system on the C-3 diesel car fleet, announced yesterday it had been awarded a $10 million contract to provide Communications Control Units (CCU's) to update the communications systems on the C-3 fleet and restore the functionality of the onboard destination signs.

The destination signs, similar to those on the M-7 fleet, announce what the current station is, the train's destination, and the next station, and display text message versions of the message on LED screens inside the cars.  There are also four exterior LED signs on the front and back ends of the car that display the train's final destination.  The signs have been basically non-functional for many years now, with them being turned on and working on only a small fraction of diesel trains.  Not having the signs on and functional on every trip is a pretty major lapse in the eyes of federal accessibility laws, which require effective communication to all persons, including those who are hearing impaired and might not be able to hear audio announcements made over the PA system.

While this problem has persisted for a significant period of time, the LIRR seems to be finally moving forward on a fix to restore the functionality of the C-3 destination signs.  At last month's MTA Board LIRR Committee meeting, railroad officials asked the MTA Board to approve a sole source contract to Telephonics for $10 million, with $9 million in additional options, to purchase the CCU's and make repairs to the radio and public address system components.  Instead of replacing the entire system, the LIRR and Telephonics believe that replacing the CCU's would be the best approach.

The work will involve replacing the existing CCU equipment on the C3, DE, and DM diesel fleets to ensure operability going forward.  Under the base contract, the LIRR will purchase 88 CCU's for the 45 locomotives, 23 cab cars, and have 20 spares (an all-in unit cost of $114k each...).  This would allow the LIRR to restore the old functionality the ASI destination sign system had in all cars (including those in trailer cars with the old CCU's).  The contract also includes four additional options:

1. Dedicated antenna system for GPS (up to $400k).  LIRR says that this would only be required if GPS "is not provided over the car network by the PTC contractor"
2. Wi-Fi network/remote access capability (up to $2.1 million) to provide route and message file updates for service changes by remote download to the vehicles over a Wi-Fi limited access point network.
3. Replacement of CCU's in 60 trailer cars ($3.3 million)
4. Replacement of CCU's in 51 trailer cars ($3.2 million)

Exercising options 1 and 2 would bring the functionality of the C-3 fleet destination sign system up to roughly the same level of the system on the M-7 fleet now, which works predominately off of GPS and has the functionality to download route info and have messages broadcast to the train over a Wi-Fi or cellular data connection.  Options 3 and 4 would replace the CCU's in the remaining trailer cars that do not have operating cabs.

NYS Law requires agencies competitively bid public contracts.  Sole source contracts, where one and only one bidder is capable of providing the good or service, are generally regarded as a big no-no when it comes to using the public's money, since you have fewer protections against price gouging, as the vendor can effectively name their price, since you're locked into the one and only one option.  These types of contract require prior approval from the MTA Board and generally must be advertised anyway, in case any other potential bidders think they can provide the service on competitive terms.  The following notice was published around October 13:

Sole Source - Obsolete Parts Program for Telephonics Communications Equipment.  Notice is hereby given that the LIRR intends to purchase an obsolete parts technical services solution for the Diesel fleet communications systems on a sole source basis from Telephonics Corporation, the original equipment manufacturer (OEM).  The LIRR invites any supplier believes it can provide any of the items to inform the LIRR by letter.  If LIRR is satisfied that a supplier is responsible and can supply the services on acceptable terms and conditions, those services may be competitively procured.  Any other firm may assert as potential to supply the items by notifying the designated LIRR contact in writing (R. Conrad - LIRR, 144-41 94th Avenue, Jamaica, New York 11435 within 5 days of this notice.

With Telephonic's announcement today, the contract seems to have been awarded, which hopefully means we can start seeing the destination signs fixed once and for all very soon...