Boulder County commissioners table traffic-signal waivers totaling up to $900,000 annually

Boulder County commissioners on Tuesday tabled requests to waive competitive bidding for up to $900,000 annually in traffic-signal equipment and services, directing staff to review procurement and technology procedures before the purchases move forward.

The first request covered NoTraffic signal-detection equipment and software services from Traffic Signal Controls Inc., identified in the county’s agenda materials as NoTraffic’s exclusive regional distributor. The proposed annual spending ceiling was $500,000, with purchases anticipated in 2026 and 2027. The packet did not provide quantities, unit prices or a combined two-year total.

The proposed system combines radar and video detection, wireless communication between roadside equipment and signal cabinets, cellular cloud connectivity and vehicle-to-everything capabilities. Optional services include safety analytics, transit signal priority and emergency-vehicle preemption, according to the county materials.

The second request covered traffic-signal poles from Valmont Industries Inc. through the BuyBoard National Purchasing Cooperative, with an annual materials ceiling of $400,000. County staff said the poles were engineered for Boulder County’s special wind region and that Valmont had been selected through BuyBoard’s competitive procurement process. The packet did not list quantities, unit prices or a county-specific contract total.

Commissioner Stolzman questioned why the signal-control purchase had not gone through the county’s TRACK technology-review process and whether either purchase met the standards for bypassing competitive bidding. She said the materials did not show an “urgent or unique” need to avoid standard procurement and suggested the county could find another regional system or bid the work.

Stolzman also asked staff to examine whether the Denver Regional Council of Governments could help standardize signal timing and control systems across jurisdictions before the county commits to a vendor. She questioned whether projects such as a proposed South Boulder Road roundabout could eventually eliminate some signals, reducing the need for hardware and software subscriptions.

Public Works manager Rachel Gidecki described the proposed controller as a “plug and play” retrofit for the county’s existing system. She said Public Works was willing to continue discussions with Information Technology. IT Director Paul Janepur proposed a technology and cybersecurity review, including the resources needed to operate the system.

The board unanimously tabled the signal-detection and control request and directed staff to confirm that county processes had been followed, according to the recording of the Aug. 11 meeting. The motion did not order a rebid.

Commissioners also unanimously tabled the signal-pole request. Stolzman said replacing poles did not appear particularly unique and that the memo’s discussion of wind loads did not adequately explain why a waiver was justified. Commissioner Levy said a waiver memo should identify the applicable criteria and explain why the purchase qualified, rather than simply describe the goods.

The county has not decided whether to rebid either purchase. Staff will review the procurement and technology questions; regional standardization and alternatives such as roundabouts also remain under discussion.