TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: A. Jerome Fletcher II, ICMA-CM, MPA
TITLE: Approve Contract No. 2024-20 - Advanced Water Meter System with Ferguson Enterprises, LLC Based on Budgeted Amounts, and Authorize the City Manager to Approve Renewals in Accordance with the Terms and Conditions in the Solicitation
Recommended Action
Option 1: Approve Contract No. 2024-20 - Advanced Water Meter System with Ferguson Enterprises, LLC based on budgeted amounts and authorize the City Manager to approve renewals in accordance with the terms and conditions in the solicitation.
Additional Commission Options
Option 1: Approve Contract No. 2024-20 - Advanced Water Meter System with Ferguson Enterprises, LLC based on budgeted amounts and authorize the City Manager to approve renewals in accordance with the terms and conditions in the solicitation.
Pros:
• Allows the Utilities Department to continue to purchase and install Advanced Meter Infrastructure meters consistent with other meters within the system.
• Upgraded technology increases meter reading efficiency and accuracy and allows customers increased control of their water usage.
Cons: Project cost of $ 2,467,500.00 for improved meters will not be available for other projects or operational needs.
Option 2: Deny Contract No. 2024-20 - Advanced Water Meter System with Ferguson Enterprises, LLC.
Pros: $ 2,467,500.00 would be available to redirect towards other Utilities projects or operational needs.
Cons: Denying the contract will result in aging meters being replaced with in kind meters, which are currently manual read meters. Utilities will not be able to create operational efficiencies as a result of in kind meter replacements.
Background Information
Utilities currently utilizes Neptune meters in the distribution system, which consist of radio read and manual read meters. The Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) automation and meter replacement project will create an integrated system to collect detailed metering information throughout the City’s utilities service area. Since North Port is a rapidly growing city, the need for automation is evident to improve data collection efficiencies, to quickly identify and address unusually high water use due to a potential break and improve customer service with residents and businesses in the area.
The Utilities Department would replace older meters and convert newer water meters in the field to the AMI endpoints so that data collection would be automated versus being physically collected by meter readers. Data collected will be used to enhance customer convenience and service through a customer portal, which will provide customers greater control of their consumption and the ability to set alert parameters. These improvements will enhance our services, allowing Utilities staff to become more proactive and promote water conservation through continual monitoring. Conversion of all meters in the City is anticipated to be completed within a five-year period.
Below is a timeline of events related to the procurement of this project:
Ø February 15, 2024, Utilities solicited Request for Proposal (RFP) 2024-20 - Advanced Water Meter System.
Ø The original due date for proposal submission was March 18, 2024, however, the due date was extended to March 25, 2024, to accommodate answering all addenda questions submitted by potential vendors.
Ø March 25, 2024, three (3) proposals were submitted and evaluated by staff.
Ø April 15, 2024, the ranking and evaluation committee met to discuss the proposals submitted, with Ferguson Enterprises being chose to start negotiations with.
Ø June 13, 2024, a negotiation meeting was held with the vendor for agreed upon pricing and services.
Ø July 24, 2024, Notice of Intent to award RFP No. 2024-20 to Ferguson Enterprises was issued.
The contract term is a three (3) year initial term with the option to renew for three (3) additional one-year terms.
Based on the above, staff recommends the Award of Contract No 2024-20 to Ferguson Enterprises, LLC.
The contract has been reviewed by the Interim City Attorney and is approved as to form and correctness.
Strategic Plan
Infrastructure & Facilities
Financial Impact
The amount of $2,467,500.00 has been budgeted for fiscal year 2026 and is contingent upon budget approval in the respective project:
|
Account Number |
Project |
Available Amount |
|
420-6063-536.63-00 |
U25AMI |
$ 2,467,500.00 |
Procurement
Advanced Water Meter System project was procured pursuant to Section 2-405 of the City of North Port Procurement Code - Competitive Sealed Proposal Process.
Attachments:
1. Contract No. 2024-20
2. Notice of Intent to Award
3. Recommendation to Negotiate
4. Evaluation and Ranking
5. Submittal by Ferguson Enterprises
6. RFP No. 2024-20 and Addenda
7. Florida Division of Corporations Documents
Prepared by: Michelle Tipp, Utilities Senior Business Manager
Department Director: Tricia Wisner, Interim Utilities Director