Meeting_Body
OPERATIONS, SAFETY, AND CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE COMMITTEE
FEBRUARY 19, 2026
Subject
SUBJECT: PROGRAMMABLE LOGIC CONTROLLER (PLC) AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PANEL (EMP) SYSTEM REPLACEMENT
Action
ACTION: AWARD CONTRACT
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
AUTHORIZE the Chief Executive Officer to award a 36-month firm-fixed-price contract, Contract No. PS131366(2)000, to Enterprise Automation for the replacement of the Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) and Emergency Management Panel (EMP) system, for a Not-To-Exceed (NTE) amount of $14,142,415.34, inclusive of sales tax, and subject to the resolution of any properly submitted protest(s), if any.
Issue
ISSUE
The existing Fire and Emergency Management Programmable Logic Controller (F&EM PLC) and Emergency Management Panel (EMP) systems on Metro B&D lines are obsolete and have been phased out by the original equipment manufacturer (Schneider Electric). The affected stations are from Wilshire/Vermont to Wilshire/Western (three stations), Vermont/Beverly to Hollywood/Vine (five stations), Hollywood/Highland to North Hollywood (three stations) and two satellite locations, Solar Drive and Hortense Street. Spare parts are only available as refurbished, and Schneider Electric has recommended that the equipment be migrated to the current generation of PLC equipment. The F&EM PLC is a mission-critical system and is required by Fire Life Safety (FLS) Regulation 4 to be in proper working condition.
Background
BACKGROUND
The currently installed PLC and EMP equipment is between 25-29 years old and has been in place since the Metro B&D lines were commissioned in four phased segments:
• Segment 1 - Union Station to Westlake/MacArthur (5 stations)
• Segment 2a - Wilshire/Vermont Station to Wilshire/Western Station (3 Stations)
• Segment 2b - Vermont/Beverly Station to Hollywood/Vine Station (5 Stations)
• Segment 3 - Hollywood/Highland Station to North Hollywood Station (3 Stations)
While the existing equipment is functional, given the age and obsolescence of replacement parts, Metro requires that the existing F&EM PLC and EMP equipment be migrated to the current generation of equipment. Accomplishing this effort requires a design-build project and will involve engineering, personnel, labor, material, startup, and Turnkey Engineered Solution services. The PLC and EMP equipment replacement for Segment 1 is being performed under capital projects: 205038 - SCADA Heavy Rail, and 205684 - Metro B&D Lines Segment 1 SCADA Equipment Replacement, as the existing equipment in Segment 1 is supplied by a different manufacturer. This contract award will address Segment 2 and Segment 3 equipment replacement.
In May 2021, the Board approved the Metro B&D Lines Segment 2 SCADA Equipment Replacement project with an LOP budget of $8,270,000 as part of the FY22 fiscal year budget adoption. In addition, in May 2022, the Board approved the Metro B&D Lines Segment 3 SCADA Equipment Replacement project with an LOP budget of $8,300,000 as part of the FY23 fiscal year budget adoption. This contract award combines both projects under one solicitation.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
Metro Rail Operations and Maintenance of Wayside rely heavily on communications equipment (PLC & EMP) at the Rail passenger stations to provide supervisory and control functions that are essential for the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of the Metro rail lines. These functions include centralized control and/or monitoring of train movement, traction and auxiliary power, fire detection and suppression, gas detection, emergency tunnel and ancillary ventilation, elevators and escalators, radio, emergency telephone, Next train arrival times, Transit Passenger Information System (TPIS), and intrusion.
This is an extremely complex project that has a variety of known and unknown risks that need to be identified, managed, and mitigated. The technical features of the existing and obsolete technology platform, as well as the replacement platform, must be well understood by practitioners who have substantive experience with the old and new Schneider product lines, and experience gained from prior Schneider modernization projects. In addition, the AVEVA InTouch software experience must also be sought, given the 35 instances of InTouch installed across the 13 sites.
This project is part of Metro’s commitment to delivering a robust State of Good Repair (SGR) program that invests in modernization and enhancement to renew asset life and reduce asset breakdowns that impact daily service and customer experience.
Determination_Of_Safety_Impact
DETERMINATION OF SAFETY IMPACT
In accordance with Metro’s SGR requirements and Transit Asset Management (TAM) Plan, the Metro B&D Line PLC and EMP equipment are reaching the end of their useful life and must be replaced promptly to comply with safety and reliability standards, along with Fire Life Safety (FLS) Regulation 4 requirements. Replacement of the PLC and EMP equipment will enhance safety and will also ensure reliable Metro Rail Operations communications systems.
Financial_Impact
FINANCIAL IMPACT
A total of $14,031,500 is needed for this action, which covers project work for both the Metro B and D Lines, Segments 2 and 3. Funding for this contract is included in the Infrastructure Renewal Program (cost center 3960), and is budgeted across two capital projects: 205120 - Metro B&D Lines Segment 2 SCADA Equipment Replacement project, and 205677 - Metro B&D Lines L Segment 3 SCADA Equipment Replacement project. The combined LOP budget is $16,570,000, which is within the project budget. Since this is a multi-year contract, the Project Manager will ensure that the balance of funds is budgeted for future fiscal years.
The project work will take place throughout 2026 -2028, and the annual budgets for FY26, FY27, and FY28 will be adjusted accordingly. Currently, the FY26 Annual Budget is $3,395,238. 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.
Equity_Platform
EQUITY PLATFORM
This action provides enhanced safety for Metro riders along the Metro B & D Lines’ neighborhoods of Westlake, Koreatown, East Hollywood, Studio City, Hollywood, and North Hollywood. This segment of the Metro B & D Lines serves communities with a high Equity Focus Communities (EFC) concentration based on the Metro’s Equity Need Index (MENI) map. Meaning, the area of focus houses, on average, more than 50% low-income households, 64% of which are considered Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color (BIPOC) communities.
The Diversity & Economic Opportunity Department (DEOD) recommended a 7% Small Business Enterprise (SBE) goal and a 3% Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) goal for this procurement. The solicitation was also subject to Metro’s Local Small Business Enterprise (LSBE) program. The recommended firm, Enterprise Automation, exceeded the goal by making a 7.09% SBE commitment and a 3.04% DVBE 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 capital improvement investments to replace the Metro B&D Line PLC and EMP System. These capital improvement investments 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 supports the following Metro Strategic Plan Goals:
Goal # 1 Provide high-quality mobility options that enable people to spend less time traveling.
Goal # 2 Deliver outstanding trip experiences for all users of the transportation system.
Goal # 5 Provide responsive, accountable, and trustworthy governance within the Metro organization.
This project helps maintain system service, reliability, and safety standards to provide a world-class transportation system that enhances the quality of life for all who live, work, and play within Los Angeles County.
Alternatives_Considered
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
Staff considered not purchasing or replacing the Metro B&D Line PLC and EMP equipment, but it is not recommended. This option would result in the obsolescence of existing equipment and an impact on Metro’s FLS operations.
Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS
Upon Board approval of the recommendation, Vendor/Contract Management (V/CM) will execute Contract RFP No. PS131366.
Attachments
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A - Procurement Summary
Attachment B - DEOD Summary
Prepared_by
Prepared by: Daniela Amores, Senior Director, Project Control, (213) 617-6283
David Chu, Senior Director, Wayside Systems (SCADA), (213) 418-3042
Leticia Solis, Executive Officer, Rail Maintenance of Way (213) 613-2115
Errol Taylor, Deputy Chief Operations Officer, Infrastructure Maintenance and Engineering, (213) 922-3227
Debra Avila, Deputy Chief Vendor/Contract Management Officer, (213) 418-3051
Reviewed_By
Reviewed by: Conan Cheung, Chief Operations Officer, (213) 418-3034
