Advanced metering infrastructure (AMI)

Palm Beach County Water Utilities Department, through the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners Purchasing Department, issued RFP No. 15-061R/LJ to procure a comprehensive Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) system designed to improve efficiency in collecting monthly water utility meter data, performing billing, and enhancing customer interface capabilities. The procurement requires suppliers to provide and install 51,300 water meters (including 2,700 5/8" single box meters, 24,300 5/8" dual box meters, and 540 1" single box meters) along with complete communications infrastructure covering a defined geographic service area bounded by Hypoluxo Road to the North, Linton Road to the South, Military Trail to the East, and State Road 7 to the West. Additional deliverables include contractor-hosted server and data repository environment, web-based customer interface software, system implementation services, training for field and office staff, operational and user manuals, warranty and maintenance services, and Meter Data Management (MDM) services, with annual maintenance beginning 12 months after system acceptance and continuing for five years. Proposers must submit itemized price proposals covering all hardware, software, installation, integration, portal development, training, annual communication licensing fees, and maintenance services on a revised price proposal form as part of the sealed submission package, which required an original unbound copy, six bound copies, and one electronic PDF copy. The original proposal deadline was June 6, 2016, but Amendment No. 1 issued on June 2, 2016 extended the deadline to July 6, 2016 at 4:00 p.m. local time, with the Selection Committee meeting scheduled for July 25, 2016, oral presentations on August 1, 2016, potential Best and Final Offer submissions due August 8, 2016, Notice of Intent to Award on August 17, 2016, and Board of County Commissioners award on September 27, 2016, with a contract start date of September 27, 2016. Awarded vendors must demonstrate financial stability, comply with Palm Beach County Code requirements including criminal history records checks for unescorted facility access, provide non-discrimination policy certifications consistent with County Resolution R-2014-1421, and maintain drug-free workplace certifications, and must ensure equipment compatibility with existing Neptune and Sensus meters without voiding manufacturer warranties.

The County established a minimum 15 percent Small Business Enterprise (SBE) participation goal for this solicitation. Proposers must provide evidence of business registration in Florida and, if applicable, a valid Business Tax Receipt from Palm Beach County for local preference consideration, and all proposals are subject to Florida's Public Records Laws with limited exemptions for trade secrets and sensitive financial information. The County will purchase meters and endpoints on an as-needed basis with installations completed by County employees, and all future phases will utilize the technology selected through this solicitation, making this an anchor contract for the County's long-term AMI strategy. Insurance requirements include Commercial General Liability coverage of at least $500,000 per occurrence and Business Auto Liability of at least $500,000 per occurrence. Payment shall be made monthly upon completion of work, with invoices submitted to the Palm Beach County Finance Department, structured with interim payments totaling 85 percent of the total contract amount and a final 15 percent payment withheld until acceptance testing is completed and the system is fully operational. While specific contract value information is not explicitly stated in the available documents, the scope encompassing over 51,000 meters, comprehensive communications infrastructure, software development, implementation services, training, and five years of maintenance services across a multi-jurisdictional service territory spanning Boynton Beach, Lake Worth, Greenacres, West Palm Beach, Delray Beach, and Boca Raton indicates a substantial procurement of significant dollar value.