The Allen Event Center is equipped with Daktronics, Inc., installed audio/visual equipment and software. The software and major hardware components were acquired from International Coliseums Company in 2010 when the City of Allen took over management of the Arena. Equipment improvements were made by the City of Allen in 2011 and 2017 through Daktronics using Buy Board competitive contracts.

On August 31, 2020, Daktronics informed Allen Event Center that as of December 31, 2021, Daktronics will no longer provide parts, repair, replacement, or technical support for the "Venus 7000" group of equipment and software currently used by the facility.  As Allen Event Center will not be able to maintain these Audio/Visual systems further past their anticipated end-of-life date without this support from Daktronics, the outdated systems are in need of replacement before service is unavailable at the end of calendar year 2021.

Allen Event Center management has identified windows of time in August and September of 2021 where this replacement project can take place with minimal impact to events already under contract and prior to the start of the 2021-2022 Allen Americans Hockey Season.

The Daktronics agreement for Audio/Visual Systems replacement uses Buy Board Competitive Contract #512-16.

A combination of General Capital Project funds and Facility Maintenance funds in the amount of $2,713,931 will be used for this project.

Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Contract with Daktronics, Inc., through BuyBoard Cooperative Purchasing for a Full Replacement of the Audio/Visual Systems at the Allen Event Center in the Amount of $2,713,931.

I make a motion to authorize the City Manager to execute a contract with Daktronics, Inc., through BuyBoard Cooperative Purchasing for a Full Replacement of the Audio/Visual Systems at the Allen Event Center in the amount of $2,713,931.