ESBD_File_333632_RFI-CIPS23-009_ AMI.pdf

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

# RFI-CIPS23-009

Implementation of an Advanced Metering Infrastructure System

NIGP Class/Items: 890-46, 890-44, 285-01

Schedule of Events Event Event Date* RFI Posted Date: August 17, 2023 Reponses Due: August 31, 2023, by 3:00 PM CT Oral Presentation: TBD*

*The City of Leander reserves the right to change the dates in the Schedule of Events above upon written notification to prospective Vendors through a posting on the City of Leander website. It is the responsibility of interested Vendors to check the City of Leander website for all updates and changes. Respondents may be asked to make an oral presentation. At its discretion, COL may elect to follow-up directly with Respondents with more detailed questions or to clarify submissions.

Capital Improvements Program 201 N. Brushy Street Leander, TX 78641

City of Leander # RFI-CIPS23-009 Implementation of an Advanced Metering Infrastructure System

Table of Contents

SECTION I

1 Introduction

2 Objective

3 Background

4 COL Contact and Prohibited Communication

5 RFI Method and Intent

6 Texas Public Information Act

7 Delivery Methods and Formats

SECTION II

1 Solution Inquiry

2 Assumptions and Constraints

3 Additional Services or Features

APPENDIX A

APPENDIX B

SECTION I

1 Introduction

The City of Leander (COL) is requesting information from vendors who provide the design and implementation of an advanced metering infrastructure system (AMI).

2 Objective

The objective of this Request for Information (RFI) is to identify qualified, interested vendors who provide a turn-key implementation of an AMI system. It is anticipated that the selected AMI vendor will provision all elements of an AMI solution.

Initial priorities are conservation and customer engagement with the selected solution to be a scalable platform that ultimately addresses smart water concepts.

All ideas and information shared by Respondents with COL are welcome. COL would like to understand all available options that apply to the requested products and/or services. Any across-the-board, value-added, roadmap outlook and comprehensive, integrated solutions that address other aspects of COL’s needs are encouraged. The response need not be solely limited to the stated opportunities in this RFI.

3 Background

COL currently has over 25,000 water meters and is a fast-growing northern suburb of Austin, Texas. The city limits are approximately 38 square miles and future build-out could be double that. More information about the City of Leander can be found at www.leandertx.gov and the City’s Comprehensive Plan can be found at www.leandertx.gov/planning.

Most of the city water meters and all new meters, are AMR (model Neptune T10 5/8 Procoder.) The City of Leander is seeking to procure an AMI solution that will be cost-effective and optimize life cycle benefits for the city. To effectively examine the market, COL is asking interested AMI vendors provide detail on their solution along six elements: metrology, network, data management/analytics, systems integration, customer portal, and implementation. The selected solution will address these elements while providing the best value for COL. COL intends to use federal American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) funds as well as supplement with its own funds. The selected AMI solution provider should have experience and expertise understanding applicable federal requirements.

4 COL Contact and Prohibited Communication

4.1. Contact: All requests, questions, and other communications about this RFI shall be made in writing to COL’s CIP Department, addressed to the following assigned Team Member:

Kelly Wenzel, Contract Manager City of Leander Attn: CIP Department 201 N. Brushy Street Leander, TX 78641 Email: kwenzel@leandertx.gov Phone: 512/528-2978

4.2. Prohibited Communications: Respondents shall make no contact with other COL staff concerning this RFI, except as permitted by the contact listed above in Section I, Subsection 4.1. Failure to observe this restriction may result in disqualification of any subsequent response to a procurement solicitation. This restriction does not preclude discussions between affected parties for the purposes of conducting business unrelated to this RFI.

5 RFI Method and Intent

5.1. The Request for Information (RFI) allows the municipality to obtain information concerning the requested product and/or service in this document. Information gathered from this RFI may inform the municipality on product and/or service availability, product functionality, interested and qualified vendors, pricing, best practices, applicable industry standards, GENERAL mailto:kwenzel@leandertx.gov potential performance measures, cost structures or pricing methodologies, feedback on innovative items, or development of specifications. COL will review and consider feedback received from this RFI.

5.2. Responses to this RFI will NOT result in the award of a contract. The objective of this RFI is to obtain information for research. If COL decides to acquire any products or services based on the information submitted in response to this RFI, the appropriate procurement methods will be used. However, COL offers no assurance or guarantee that a solicitation for procurement will result from this RFI.

5.3. Respondents are invited to provide budget information and describe potential services for planning purposes only.

5.4. COL reserves the right to use all ideas presented in any response.

6 Texas Public Information Act

Responses will be subject to the Texas Public Information Act (PIA) per Texas Government Code, Chapter 552, and may be disclosed to the public upon request. Respondents are responsible for reading the PIA and understanding how it applies to this RFI.

The determination of whether information is confidential and not subject to disclosure under the PIA is the duty of the Office of the Attorney General (OAG). COL assumes no responsibility for asserting legal arguments on behalf of anyone and shall comply with all rulings of the OAG.

Respondents are advised to consult with their legal counsel concerning disclosure issues resulting from this procurement process and to take precautions to safeguard trade secrets and other proprietary information.

If the Response to this RFI contains information which the Respondent’s claims is confidential and not subject to release under the PIA, the Respondent must prepare and submit Appendix D.

All submitted Responses, including written correspondent, exhibits, photographs, reports, other materials, electronic disks, and other graphic and visual aids submitted in response to this RFI will become the property of COL after the RFI deadline/due date.

7 Delivery Methods and Formats

7.1. Responses should be submitted to COL by the designed date and time specified in Schedule of Events using the following methods:

Delivery Method Response Format Additional Instructions E-Mail PDF, Word kwenzel@leandertx.gov

E-Mail Subject Line must include “[Vendor/Company Name], RESPONSE TO #

RFI-CIPS23-009”.

7.2. This Checklist is to assist the Respondent in ensuring that all information is included in their response.

Tab Number Requested Item Section or Attachment 1 Company Profile Appendix A 2 Confidential Information Form Appendix B 3 Requested Information Response Section II

City of Leander

SECTION II

Respondents are asked to provide information on a proposed solution. In addition, Respondents should provide their response to the questions about the proposed system, which are listed in the sections below. Respondents may supply information about additional services and features available.

1 Solution Inquiry

1.1. Provide a company overview with emphasis on AMI solution experience and include like customer examples.

1.2. Discuss metrology solutions for Leander.

1.3. Discuss end point and network design for Leander, include a preliminary propagation study.

1.4. Details of the software applications you would propose based on the background. Include the detailed functionality of the head end and any other applications required for leak detection.

1.5. Discuss your company’s integration experience with Tyler Technologies Incode ERP.

1.6. Discuss your proposed customer portal solution.

1.7. Discuss your project management and implementation approach including change management and post implementation support.

1.8. Provide a budgetary cost for a turnkey solution that addresses all elements described.

2 Assumptions and Constraints

Respondent is encouraged to specify any assumptions or constraints that may be anticipated for the project or delivery of the products and/or services.

3 Additional Services or Features

Respondent may propose services or features in addition to those listed in the RFI. If additional products or services are offered, describe how it integrates with the requested product or service and if additional resources or system requirements are needed to operate these products.

REQUESTED INFORMATION

APPENDIX A

COL Contact Delivery Format & Address Due Date

Kelly Wenzel Contract Manager Phone: (512) 528-2978 Email: kwenzel@leandertx.gov

Digital Format E-mail: kwenzel@leandertx.gov

(30MB limit)

August 31, 2023, by 3:00 PM

CT

GENERAL INFORMATION

Company Name:

Principal place of business (Corporate Headquarters):

Address:

City, State, Zip Contact Person concerning RFI Response:

Name & Title:

Phone & Email Address:

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Number of years in business:

Number of employees:

Number of years actively participating in offering the goods/services described in the RFI:

COMPANY PROFILE

APPENDIX B

The determination of whether information is confidential and not subject to disclosure under the Public Information Act is the duty of the Office of Attorney General (OAG). COL must provide the OAG sufficient information to render an opinion and therefore, vague and general claims to confidentiality by the Vendor are not acceptable. COL shall comply with all opinions of the OAG.

COL assumes no responsibility for asserting legal arguments on behalf of the Vendor. Vendors are advised to consult with their legal counsel concerning disclosure issue resulting from this RFI process and to take precautions to safeguard trade secrets and other proprietary information.

Please list below items that you would like kept confidential as specified in Texas Public Information Act of this RFI.

Page Number Section Number Section Title

CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION FORM