RFI direct cellular Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) water meters, cellular communication endpoints, hosted meter management software, system integration, implementation services, training, and ongoing technical support

The City of Midland, Texas, Utilities Department has issued a Request for Information for direct cellular Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) water meters, cellular endpoints, hosted meter management software, system integration, implementation, training, and ongoing technical support, with sealed responses due October 28, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. The RFI is market research, and broader deployment depends on a successful pilot and separate City authorization.

The solution must support a phased transition from the City's existing fixed-radio AMI system, which includes Neptune T-10 meters, and remain compatible with SmartWorks Compass/MeterSense, NorthStar, Neptune 360, and SilverBlaze. Respondents must assess retrofit options where feasible and cost-effective. The estimated base inventory is approximately 4,811 meters in sizes from 0.75 inch through 6 inches, and these quantities are for evaluation only, with no guaranteed minimum purchase. Base responses must commit to lead-free bronze construction for 5/8-inch through 2-inch meters. Qualifications include at least five years of direct cellular water AMI experience, three comparable utility references with at least one deployment of 25,000 or more endpoints, current product liability and cybersecurity insurance, and acceptance of non-negotiable contract terms without material modifications.

The initial award authorizes Phase 1 pilot equipment and integration only. Phase 2 purchases require a Certificate of Pilot Acceptance and separate City authorization. The initial term is three years, with two optional one-year renewals by written mutual agreement. Pricing must be firm for the initial term, and renewal adjustments are capped at three percent per year tied to a documented index. Responses must include unit prices by meter size, activation and provisioning fees, annual cellular and head-end fees per endpoint, one-time integration costs, optional installation, and a 20-year total cost of ownership analysis, with no hidden third-party fees. The City will select on best value, prioritizing integration capability, lifecycle value, reliability, cybersecurity, and reduced implementation risk over price alone. Award is anticipated in January 2027.