Daktronics Inc. (Nasdaq-DAKT) of Brookings, S.D., announces it has been awarded a multiple year procurement contract with the Iowa Department of Transportation after competing with a number of other companies.
"Quality, cost and interoperability were characteristics we wanted when searching for a company with the best offering; Daktronics had those characteristics," said Willy Sorenson, ITS Engineer P.E., with Iowa DOT.
The Iowa DOT developed specifications for its procurement contract before conducting the search for a Dynamic Message Sign (DMS) manufacturer that could fulfill its needs. Industry experience and advanced technology were also very important search factors.
Four companies competed for the contract. The Iowa DOT narrowed the search to two, including Daktronics. Daktronics presented the Iowa DOT with information about the company and a demonstration of the DMS products produced at the manufacturing facility in Brookings. Daktronics was selected because it fit the procurement contract criteria most completely.
"Iowa DOT graded us high technically and excellent on price, and we proved to be the best overall value. Daktronics technical knowledge, customer service, and financial stability also played a key part," said Daktronics ITS Project Manager, Keith Zelinski.
Thirteen of the Vanguard® Variable Message Signs (VMS) will be installed in the first year of the contract. In Spring 2006, Iowa DOT plans to order additional VMS. The signs will be used to display weather conditions, construction information, incident management, and amber alerts.
