City of Albany issued the following announcement on Jan. 14.
Proposal
The City of Albany, Minnesota will receive proposals from qualified firms to design and provide an Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) System for the City of Albany (City). The City’s primary objective is to have a fixed network Advanced Metering Infrastructure System designed and implemented to work with an expected accuracy of 99% or more for the service area inside the City containing approximately 975 water meters. It is expected that the system will collect and process meter time of use/rate of use/side data; record operating statistics; report alarms, alerts and exceptions; provide 2‐way communication; and enable other advancements in customer services. The City appreciates the proposer’s expertise and capabilities and does not intend to write a detailed specification to address every feature and component of the Advanced Metering Infrastructure System for the City. However, the intent of this RFP is to allow vendors to provide the City with the best solution given the requirements set forth by the City. This approach enables the City to take advantage of the most technologically advanced system available while allowing fair evaluation of all responses and remaining within standard purchasing procedures.
Background Information
The City of Albany has approximately 975 water accounts with water meters ranging in size from 5/8” to 6”. The City does not have an existing fixed meter reading network. The majority of the existing metering infrastructure consists of water meters/radio transmitters of various models currently being read on drive‐by remote read systems or are being read individually on site.
Project Work Plan
The submittal shall include a description of the approach to accomplishing the Project Work Plan including tasks to be performed, areas of special emphasis and the number and qualifications of staff assigned to accomplish the Work Plan. The firm must demonstrate an expertise and understanding, the capability to provide the requested services and a commitment to meet the City of Albany’s expectations.
Project Work Plan will include but not limited to the following:
Furnish fixed network AMI system data collection units (DCUs). This Includes installation of the DCUs and required support structures, not supplied by the city (water towers) and electrical power, capable of capturing signals from Radio Transmitter Units (RTUs)
Mobile radio interrogator units to be used in conjunction with the system in mobile drive‐by mode, in the event the DCUs are inoperable.
Install all meters in sizes and numbers indicated in Estimate Meter Count Chart, furnished by City and install all meters along with RTUs capable of receiving data from said meters, and transmitting this and other relevant information to fixed location DCUs installed as part of this contract.
Furnish and install the communication or data transfer system and or software capable of transferring data from DCU’s to hosted meter reading network.
Furnish and install a meter reading system control computer or supply hosted services for data storage into which the data from the RTUs and other information necessary to operate and maintain the AMI system may be input and stored.
Furnish the software or programming necessary to operate the system and communicate meter reading data to the City’s customer information and billing systems.
Obtain all Federal, State and local permits required for the installation and operation of the system. Provide technical support during system deployment and complete installation of all new meters.
Provide documentation adequately describing the operation and maintenance of the AMI and metering system and its components, for use by City employees or agents.
Provide Training sufficient to enable City personnel to operate and maintain the system efficiently. Provide technical support for the system over its expected life, including on‐site and telephone or emailsupport for City personnel, and patches and upgradesto the system software to ensure that the system continues to perform to design criteria.
Furnish and install any other equipment not specifically described above, but that is needed for the City to efficiently operate the AMI system, for the expected life of the system.
All existing meters shall remain the property of the City of Albany and shall be delivered to the City Public Works Department after the replacement is complete.
Submission Requirements
Proposals (four hard copies) will be accepted until January 31, 2020 at 4:30 PM. Submit to the Director of Public Services at the following address:
Mr. Joe Mergen, Albany City Hall, 400 Railroad Avenue, PO Box 370, Albany, MN 56307
The submittal may be structured in a way that most effectively presentsthe proposal. The proposalshould be concise and limited to a maximum of 20 single‐sided, 8½” x 11” pages with a font size no smaller than 11‐point. Fold‐out exhibits may be used but will be included in the 20‐page count. Resumes may be included as an appendix. The submittal elements should be bound into a single document and should contain all the information needed for consideration by the Selection Committee in evaluating the proposal. Photos and spreadsheet of the existing commercial meters, and photos of the City water tower and pump house, are available upon request.
Cost Proposal
The firm’sfee for completing this work is an important consideration, however, qualifications, experience, approach to completing the work, and ability to address the City’s needs are the most important criteria. The cost proposal will be used with all other elements of the submittal for making a recommendation. The cost proposal will not be considered a bid; it will be used as the starting point for negotiating a contract for the work. The City reserves the right to negotiate professional services from the selected firm(s) as deemed necessary to fulfill the project intent.
Firm Selection Process
A Selection Committee will conduct a firm selection process and will provide a recommendation to the Albany City Council. In formulating the recommendation, the Selection Committee shall consider the qualifications and experience of the firm, the anticipated cost of services and other appropriate factors (see below). The Selection Committee shall negotiate contract(s) with the selected firm(s).
Tentative Schedule
Request for Proposals Advertised January 8, 2020
Proposals Due January 31, 2020
Tentative Selection Announced February 19, 2020
Finalize Work Plan, Fees and Contract March 13, 2020
Original source can be found here.
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