Notice of Brand Standardization - Endress + Hauser

Water Environment Services, a division of Clackamas County in Oregon, is seeking exemption from competitive bidding requirements to standardize procurement on Endress + Hauser brand instruments for collection and treatment infrastructure monitoring, with written protests due October 8, 2026.

The standardization applies to a class of solicitations rather than individual contracts and covers magnetic flow meters, level sensors, dissolved oxygen meters, pH meters, thermal mass flow meters, associated controls, and similar monitoring equipment. These instruments feed real-time operational data to facility staff and SCADA systems for control, regulatory compliance, and system optimization. The ten-year standardization period expires December 31, 2030.

WES justified the exemption under Oregon Revised Statutes 279B.215 on three grounds: the specification is unlikely to encourage favoritism or substantially diminish competition; it would result in substantial cost savings; and it ensures efficient utilization of existing goods through compatibility with current infrastructure. Current procurement from multiple manufacturers has created operational inefficiency, including variability in calibration procedures, diagnostic tools, communication protocols, and spare parts inventory. Brand standardization will streamline operations, improve maintenance efficiency, and reduce compliance risks related to sanitary sewer overflow prevention and permit requirements.

Vendors may submit written protests to Procurement Director Ryan Rice at rrice@clackamas.us within fourteen calendar days from the September 24 notice issuance date by 5:00 PM.