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File #: 25-3553    Version: 1 Name:
Type: Negotiation Status: Passed
File created: 5/28/2025 In control: Commissioners Court
On agenda: 6/12/2025 Final action: 6/12/2025
Title: Request for approval to negotiate an agreement with Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma for enhancement of the existing Gauge Adjusted Radar Rainfall Multi-Radar Multi-Sensor product to improve accuracy, operational capabilities, and support improved flood forecasting in Harris County (Countywide).

Primary Department: Flood Control District

Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Tina Petersen, Ph.D., P.E., Executive Director

 

Secondary Department: N/A

Secondary Department Head/Elected Official: N/A

 

Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA

Type of Request: Negotiation

 

Project ID (if applicable): Z100-00-00-Y102

Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma

 

MWBE Contracted Goal (if applicable): N/A

MWBE Current Participation (if applicable): N/A

Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal:  N/A - Goal not applicable to request

 

Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): N/A

Justification for 0% Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): N/A - Not a grant item

 

Request Summary (Agenda Caption):

title

Request for approval to negotiate an agreement with Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma for enhancement of the existing Gauge Adjusted Radar Rainfall Multi-Radar Multi-Sensor product to improve accuracy, operational capabilities, and support improved flood forecasting in Harris County (Countywide).

end

 

Background and Discussion:

This request for authorization to negotiation is for an agreement that will provide an enhanced Gauge Adjusted Radar Rainfall (GARR) Multi-Radar Multi-Sensor (MRMS) product that offers additional resources and product development for improved flood forecasting in Harris County. This project is a continuation and expansion of the initial Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) between the Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) and the National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL), which established a limited Multi-Radar Multi-Sensor (MRMS) domain over Harris County using HCFCD’s dense rain gauge network.

 

Expected Impact:

The future agreement will enhance the accuracy and operational capability of the GARR MRMS product by integrating verification tools, cloud-based processing, and sub-hourly nowcasting capabilities. These improvements will lead to better spatial representation of rainfall, improved short-term forecasting, and ultimately strengthen flood risk prediction and response efforts across Harris County.

 

Alternative Options:

N/A

 

County Strategic Plan Goal:  5. Minimize the impact of climate change and disasters.

County Strategic Plan Objective: R: Enhance disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and resiliency.

Justice/Safety Initiative (Goal 1):  N/A

Infrastructure Initiative (Goal 2):  N/A

Economy Initiative (Goal 3): N/A

Health Initiative (Goal 4): N/A

Climate/Resilience Initiative (Goal 5): R3: Strengthen the County’s emergency response function.

Housing Initiative (Goal 6): N/A

 

Additional notes related to the Strategic Plan:

 

Prior Court Action (if any): N/A

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Precinct(s): Countywide

 

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Additional Budget Request (Requires Fiscal Review Request Form)

 

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Anticipated Court Date: 6/12/2025

Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): Click or tap to enter a date.

 

Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or COVID-19 related item

 

Contact(s) name, title, department: Yesenia Martinez, Commissioners Court Coordinator, Flood Control District

 

Attachments (if applicable): N/A