AGENDA ITEM EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
ITEM TITLE*
title
Sole Source Contract to Purchase Six Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs)
presenter
RESPONSIBLE STAFF, TITLE, DEPARTMENT*
Britany Waddell, Director, Planning Department
Bergen Watterson, Mobility and Greenways Manager, Planning Department
STAFF RECOMMENDATION*
Staff recommends that Council authorize the Town Manager to negotiate and execute a sole source contract to purchase six rectangular rapid flashing beacons (RRFBs) for use at new crosswalks.
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LEGISLATIVE CONTEXT*
The Office of Mobility and Greenways will be purchasing six Carmanah Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs), equaling $39,727. Temple, Inc. is the sole distributor of Carmanah products in the state of North Carolina. This type of sole source purchase must be approved by the governing board pursuant to N.C.G.S 143-129(e)(6).
BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT*
• The Office of Mobility and Greenways (OMG) is in the design phase for two new crosswalks - one on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. at Central Park Ln. and one on Estes Dr. at Halifax Rd. Construction is anticipated by late spring 2026.
o Due to the width of the roads and the volume and speed of vehicles, Town staff recommend RRFBs to increase yield rates and safety for pedestrians.
• The Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. crosswalk requires three RRFBs and the Estes Dr. crosswalk requires two. Staff would like to have an extra RRFB in stock in case of damage or maintenance needs.
• Temple, Inc. is the sole distributor of Carmanah RRFBs in the state of North Carolina. Town staff favor Carmanah products because the brand exists throughout Town and we know how to maintain them.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The six RRFBs purchase price is $39,727 and will be paid for out of the Bike-Pedestrian Safetybudget.
ATTACHMENTS
• Resolution
• Staff Sole Source Memorandum
• Carmanah Sole Source Memorandum
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE TOWN MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE A SOLE SOURCE CONTRACT FOR SIX RECTANGULAR RAPID FLASHING BEACONS (2026-1-21/R-2.4)
WHEREAS, The Office of Mobility and Greenways is designing two new crosswalks; and
WHEREAS, the width of the roads and the speed and volume of vehicles warrant the use of Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs) to increase yield rates and safety for pedestrians; and
WHEREAS, Town staff prefer Carmanah RRFBs because they are used throughout Town and staff knows how to maintain them; and
WHEREAS, Temple, Inc. is the sole distributor of Carmanah RRFBs in the state of North Carolina; and
WHEREAS, sole source purchases of this type must be approved by the governing board of a political subdivision of the State pursuant to N.C.G.S 143-129(e)(6).
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council authorizes the Town Manager to negotiate and execute a sole source contract to purchase six rectangular rapid flashing beacons for use at new crosswalks.
This the 21st day of January, 2026.
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