Meeting_Body
OPERATIONS, SAFETY, AND CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE COMMITTEE
NOVEMBER 20, 2025
Subject
SUBJECT: METRO E LINE UNDERGROUND TUNNEL RADIO SYSTEM REPLACEMENT
Action
ACTION: AWARD CONTRACT
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
AUTHORIZE the Chief Executive Officer to award a firm-fixed price contract, Contract No. DR124275(2)000 to Martinez Engineering, LLC for the Metro E Line Underground Tunnel Radio System Replacement in the amount of $2,494,602, subject to the resolution of any properly submitted protest(s), if any.
Issue
ISSUE
The existing Metro E Line underground tunnel radio communications system equipment is nearing the end of its useful life and requires replacement. While still operational, the aging equipment provides critical radio communications for Metro Rail Operations, Rail Maintenance, the Metro Department of Public Safety (DPS), the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD), the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), and the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). The current system requires frequent maintenance to remain operational, and spare parts are challenging to find because they are no longer being manufactured.
Background
BACKGROUND
The Eastside Extension of the Metro E Line (formerly the Metro Gold Line Eastside Extension) opened for revenue service in 2009, running from Union Station to East Los Angeles. During construction, the radio communications system was installed to support critical radio operations in the underground tunnel segment. The Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) ceased business and discontinued the production of spare parts and technical support services for the radio system. Metro’s Communication Systems Maintenance Department has been able to maintain the equipment and keep it operational. However, ongoing maintenance has become increasingly difficult due to the obsolescence of parts and equipment, making this approach unsustainable for long-term reliability.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
Under the contract, the project work will involve replacing the existing underground tunnel radio communications system on the Metro E Line with modern radio equipment. The upgrade will include the installation of new channel modules, amplifiers, switches, wiring, and mounting racks. The new equipment will restore and enhance digital Very High Frequency (VHF) radio communications, which are essential for Metro Rail Operations as well as Maintenance personnel to safely and efficiently operate/maintain revenue train service for Metro passengers and employees.
In addition, the project will support continued analog Ultra High Frequency (UHF) radio communications for DPS, LASD, and LAPD. These communications are critical to enabling law enforcement personnel to ensure the safety and security of Metro’s passengers, employees, and rail system. The project work also preserves analog 800 MHz radio communications for LAFD, which are necessary to support rapid emergency response to incidents on the Metro rail system. Upgrading the radio communications system enables essential communication required for public safety and operational missions.
The replacement of the radio communications system is part of the Capital Improvement Program (CIP), which also aims to renew transit infrastructure assets that are in a state of good repair.
Determination_Of_Safety_Impact
DETERMINATION OF SAFETY IMPACT
The underground tunnel radio communications system equipment has a direct safety impact. The system enables real-time coordination among Metro Rail Operations, Rail Maintenance, DPS, LASD, LAFD, and LAPD within the underground portions of the Metro E Line. A failure or degradation of this equipment could lead to delayed emergency responses, hindered incident coordination, and interruptions to rail service.
Financial_Impact
FINANCIAL IMPACT
This action will be funded from capital project 211013 - Digital Rail Radio System. The project was approved with a Life-of-Project (LOP) budget of $25,000,000. The award amount is within the project LOP. The Project Manager will ensure that the balance of funds is budgeted in future fiscal years.
Of the $2,494,602 contract value, $2,200,000is accounted for under the project’s encumbrances, and a subsequent requisition will need to be issued to fund the additional $294,602. The project’s remaining budget of $1,700,000 will be sufficient to cover project costs through completion of the work.
The project work will take place throughout 2026, and the annual budgets for FY26 and FY27 will be adjusted accordingly. Currently, the FY26 Annual Budget is $700,000. However, any annual budget shortfalls shall be addressed through the relocation of FY26 monies from existing capital projects that may have underspent their allocated annual budget funds.
Impact to Budget
The current source of funds for this action is Proposition A 35%, which is eligible for rail operations and capital Projects. This funding source maximizes the project funding allocation intent allowed by its approved provisions and guidelines.
Equity_Platform
EQUITY PLATFORM
This action provides enhanced safety for Metro riders along the Metro E Line’s neighborhoods of Aliso Village, Boyle Heights, Pico Gardens, and Wellington Heights. This segment of the Metro E Line serves 100% Equity Focus Communities (EFC) based on the Metro’s Equity Need Index (MENI) map. Meaning, the area of focus houses, on average, more than 50% low-income households, 80% of which are considered Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color (BIPOC) communities. Further, more than 50% are zero-vehicle households. This segment of the Metro E Line provides key transfer connections to multiple bus lines for workers, students, and residents in these EFCs.
This solicitation was subject to the Small Business (SB) Set-Aside program and open to certified Small Business Enterprise (SBE) firms only. Martinez Engineering, LLC, an SBE Prime, is performing 64.49% of the contract with its own workforce and made a 66.53% SBE commitment.
Vehicle_Miles_Traveled_Outcome
VEHICLE MILES TRAVELED OUTCOME
VMT and VMT per capita in Los Angeles County are lower than national averages, the lowest in the SCAG region, and on the lower end of VMT per capita statewide, with these declining VMT trends due in part to Metro’s significant investment in rail and bus transit. * Metro’s Board-adopted VMT reduction targets align with California’s statewide climate goals, including achieving carbon neutrality by 2045. To ensure continued progress, all Board items are assessed for their potential impact on VMT.
As part of these ongoing efforts, this item is expected to contribute to further reductions in VMT. This item supports Metro’s systemwide strategy to reduce VMT through equipment purchase activities that will improve and further encourage transit ridership, ridesharing, and active transportation. Metro’s Board-adopted VMT reduction targets were designed to build on the success of existing investments, and this item aligns with those objectives.
*Based on population estimates from the United States Census and VMT estimates from Caltrans’ Highway Performance Monitoring System (HPMS) data between 2001-2019.
Implementation_of_Strategic_Plan_Goals
IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS
Approval of this recommendation aligns with Metro’s Strategic Plan by advancing Goal No.2, which is to deliver outstanding trip experiences for all transportation system users, and Goal No. 3, which is to enhance communities and lives through mobility and access to opportunity.
Alternatives_Considered
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
No other alternatives were considered because the existing Metro E Line underground radio communications system is obsolete and will increasingly become prone to failure if not replaced as planned. The OEM no longer produces critical spare parts for the existing equipment, and Metro must rely on refurbished components with limited availability. Replacement with new, modern radio equipment and components is the only viable option to ensure uninterrupted, mission-critical communications for Metro operations and emergency response agencies.
Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS
Upon Board approval of the recommendation, staff will award Contract No. DR124275(2)000 and proceed with the project work.
Attachments
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A - Procurement Summary
Attachment B - DEOD Summary
Prepared_by
Prepared by: Daniela Amores, Senior Director, Project Control, (213) 617-6283
Geyner Paz, Chief Administrative Analyst, (213) 922-3744
Kelvin Zan, Executive Officer, Operations Engineering, (213) 617-6264
Errol Taylor, Deputy Chief Operations Officer, Infrastructure Maintenance and Engineering, (213) 922-3227
Debra Avila, Deputy Chief Vendor/Contract Management, (213) 418-3051
Reviewed_By
Reviewed by: Conan Cheung, Chief Operations Officer, (213) 418-3034
