Fire Hydrant Automatic Flushing Units

The City of Ann Arbor's Procurement Office is soliciting bids for the purchase of three Kupferle i-Series, 9800 Monitoring and Flushing Stations through Invitation to Bid (ITB) No. 4776. The procurement specifically seeks fire hydrant automatic flushing units with advanced technical specifications, including a 2" diaphragm, built-in water turbine, chlorine analyzer, and programmable logic controller. Key deliverables include units with a locking aluminum thermal enclosure rated for -20F, wireless gateway with a 3-year data plan, and sensors for total chlorine, turbidity, and nitrite. The bid requires a flow rate of approximately 50 gpm at 60 psi and mandates bidders provide comprehensive documentation on cellular modem technology, carrier certification, and remote management capabilities. The bid is due on August 20, 2025, at 2:00 PM local time, with a potential option to purchase a fourth unit if funding permits. The City will evaluate bids based on best value, considering factors such as references, past experience, performance, and overall qualifications. The anticipated contract term is six months, with unit pricing expected to remain firm during this period.

The procurement appears to have no specific set-aside designations or restrictions on respondent types, though bidders must complete several mandatory forms including a Vendor Conflict of Interest Disclosure, Non-Discrimination Ordinance Declaration, and Living Wage Ordinance Declaration of Compliance. While no incumbent vendors are explicitly mentioned, the detailed technical specifications suggest compatibility with existing municipal water infrastructure in Washtenaw County. The bid documents indicate the procurement is located within the jurisdiction of Washtenaw County, Michigan, with the City of Ann Arbor as the procuring entity. Although a specific budget range is not provided, the solicitation covers three primary flushing stations with a potential fourth unit, implying a moderate-scale investment in water monitoring and infrastructure improvement technology. The comprehensive technical requirements and evaluation criteria suggest the City is seeking high-quality, technologically advanced water monitoring equipment that can provide robust performance in diverse environmental conditions.