Title
Water Meter and Automated Meter Reading Replacement
Action
Action:
A. Approve a contract with Badger Meter, Inc. to provide, install, implement, and maintain advanced metering infrastructure for a term of 20 years,
B. Authorize the City Manager to purchase such additional software licenses, services, hardware, maintenance, and support as required to maintain the advanced metering infrastructure system for as long as the city uses the system,
C. Approve a contract with Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc. for water meter and automated meter reading system implementation program management services for a term of eight years, and
D. Authorize the City Manager to amend the contracts consistent with the purpose for which the contracts were approved.
Body
Staff Resource(s):
Angela Charles, Charlotte Water
Carl Wilson, Charlotte Water
Marion Sanders, Charlotte Water
Explanation
Actions A and B
§ This contract provides for the replacement of water meters and the current automatic meter reading (AMR) system to upgrade to the next generation meter reading system (Advanced Metering Infrastructure or AMI).
§ Between 2003 and 2006, Charlotte Water implemented AMR as the state-of-the-art meter reading system which has now reached the end of its useful life.
§ The AMI system will help customers manage their consumption, increase Charlotte Water operational efficiencies, and align with the city’s Sustainable Energy Action Plan and Smart City Initiative.
§ On June 10, 2024, the city issued a Request for Proposals (RFP); four responses were received.
§ Badger Meter, Inc. best meets the city’s needs in terms of qualifications, experience, cost, and responsiveness to RFP requirements.
§ Initial expenditures for the implementation are estimated to be $118,000,000.
§ Ongoing annual expenditures are estimated to be $1,700,000.
Action C
§ This contract provides program management services for the water meter and automated meter reading system implementation project.
§ On October 21, 2020, the city issued a Request for Proposals for water meter and AMR replacement consulting services; ten responses were received.
§ In October 2021, Charlotte Water executed a contract with Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc. to perform an initial needs assessment and develop a business case.
§ On October 9, 2023, Council approved a contract amendment with Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc. to provide solicitation consulting services for AMI equipment, software, and installation.
§ Waiver of a competitive solicitation process for services may be granted on a limited basis when deemed appropriate and in the City’s best interest. A waiver has been approved for these services based on continuity of service.
§ Total expenditures are estimated to be $7,000,000.
Charlotte Business INClusion
Actions A and B
The city negotiates contract participation after the proposal selection process. Badger Meter, Inc. has committed 37.62% ($44,395,881) of the total contract to the following certified firm(s):
§ Concord Environmental Energy, Inc. (WBE) ($44,395,881) (meter and/or AMI endpoint installation and ancillary services)
Concord Environmental Energy, Inc. committed 25.49% ($11,316,000) of their total $44,395,881 contract to the following certified firm(s):
§ All Systems Restored HVAC & Electrical, LLC (MBE, SBE) ($2,400,000) (replace curb stops, install/replace shut off valves, resetting/leveling, replace meter box lid, service line repair, install meter boxes, meter installation)
§ Carolina Waste Compaction, LLC (WBE, SBE) ($216,000) (container delivery and pick up, off site hauling services)
§ First Class Presort, Inc. (MBE) ($1,300,000) (printing and mailing services)
§ Protégé Staffing, Inc. (WBE) ($2,400,000) (staffing for meter installer position to replace curb stops, install/replace shut off valves, meter box resetting/leveling, replace meter box lid, service line repair, install meter boxes)
§ RE Sifford Utility, Inc. (MBE, SBE) ($5,000,000) (replace curb stops, install/replace shut off valves, meter box resetting/leveling, replace meter box lid, service line repair, install meter boxes)
Action C
The city negotiates contract participation after the proposal selection process. Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc. has committed 29.47% ($2,063,000) of the total contract to the following certified firm(s):
§ CriTek Engineering Group, P.C. (MBE, SBE) ($2,063,000) (field inspections)
Fiscal Note
Funding: Charlotte Water Capital Investment Plan and Charlotte Operating Budget