As a part of the City's efforts to reduce exposure/incidence to corona virus to staff and citizens visiting City facilities, staff proposes to install COVID virus management equipment in multiple facilities.  The technology selected was developed by the firm Global Plasma Solutions (GPS).  Their system was reported by Businesswire on June 10, 2020, to be the first ionization design to produce a 99.4% SARS-CoV-2 (COVID 10) surface strain reduction in laboratory testing.

GPS' technology uses proprietary "needlepoint bipolar ionization" that produces a high concentration of positive and negative ions.  The ions attach to particles in the passing recirculating airstream in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to cause them to clump and be more easily filtered.  They also disrupt the surface proteins in pathogens, rendering them inactive.  The technology produces cleaner indoor air without producing ozone or any harmful byproducts.  This high level of virus destruction plus its ability to remove particles like mold, pollen, and odors will greatly improve indoor air quality.  It offers a dramatic reduction in possible COVID-19 virus exposure and improves occupant health outcomes.  The systems also reduce particulate contamination of the air exchange coils, thus increasing the efficiency of heat transfer whether heating or cooling.

GPS' technology conveniently mounts inside the existing HVAC air handlers to expose circulating air to target and significantly reduce airborne pathogens like viruses and bacteria; as well as mold, pollens, dander, smoke, dust, and odors. 

The GPS systems are configurable from large recirculating office environments down to home air conditioning systems. The systems are also self-cleaning and will be regularly inspected as part of the City's regular HVAC preventative maintenance program. Further, they systems are being purchased with a 2-year maintenance bond.

As part of the City's COVID Cares fund allocation; these systems are proposed to be installed in the HVAC systems in the following City Facilities:

• City Hall
• Municipal Courts / Parks and Recreation
• Allen Police Department Headquarters
• Municipal Library
• "HVAC served" areas of the Municipal Service Center (MSC)
• Animal Shelter
• Municipal Annex 1 (not the old AISD Service Center)

• Prestige Water Tower (three finished-out records storage floors)

The vendor for these installations is Heat Transfer Solutions (HTS) Texas located in Carrollton, Texas.

The funding source for these systems will come from the City's allocation of federal CARES Act funds.

Staff recommends that the City Council Authorize the the City Manager to use CARES Act Funds and Execute a Contract with HTS Texas for Installation of Ionization Equipment to Reduce the Presence of the COVID-19 Virus from Recirculating in the Air at City Hall, Allen Police Headquarters, MCPAR, Library, Municipal Annex 1, Animal Shelter, the Municipal Service Center, and the Prestige Elevated Water Tower's Three Storage Floors in the Amount of $185,000. 

I make a motion to authorize the City Manager to use CARES Act Funds and execute a contract with HTS Texas for installation of ionization equipment to reduce the presence of the COVID-19 Virus from recirculating in the air at City Hall, Allen Police Headquarters, MCPAR, Library, Municipal Annex 1, Animal Shelter, the Municipal Service Center, and the Prestige Elevated Water Tower's Three Storage Floors in the amount of $185,000.