CC MEETING: June 6, 2023
DATE: May 31, 2023
TO: Erin Rinehart, City Manager
FROM: Jody Byerly, Director of Public Works
Marc Guy, Assistant City Manager
Title
Consider Approval Of Bid #23-009 For The Purchase And Installation Of Commercial Advance Metering Infrastructure (AMI) Water Meters From Fortiline, Inc. In An Amount Not To Exceed $11,000,000.00.
Body
BACKGROUND
To improve customer service, reduce non-revenue water loss and improve workforce and asset management, the Public Works Department proposes to implement a Cellular LTE-M advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) automated water meter system. The AMI system will provide top-of-hour hourly meter readings for each meter in the City. The software will integrate with the City’s utility billing software and provide a customer portal.
The conversion from standard manual-read water meters to AMI meters will be implemented in two phases. The first phase will consist of replacing manual-read water meters with AMI ultrasonic water meters on two commercial routes in two separate cycles.
The second phase will consist of the conversion of the remaining commercial meters and residential meters that are used in new construction. Conversions will begin after the first phase of the program has been completed.
Bid notifications were posted online, previous and interested vendors were contacted, and advertisements were placed in the Dallas Morning News. Four vendors responded. The low bid was unresponsive to the bid specifications and received negative references.
A panel of staff evaluators requested a BAFO (Best and Final Offer) from two of the four vendors responding to the initial bid. It was determined that the best value meeting the program specifications was submitted by Fortiline Inc.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
The AMI water meters will be purchased from budgeted funds for the cost center and amount as listed below:
COST CENTER LINE ITEM BUDGET AMOUNT
METER REPAIR SERV- 405004 60935 - R/M WATER METERS $11,000,000.00
STAFF RECOMMENDATION/ACTION DESIRED:
Staff recommends that the City Council award the bid for the purchase and installation of AMI water meters to Fortiline Inc., in an amount not to exceed $11,000,000.00.