HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/19/2013 Water MetersMount Prospect Public Works Department
N / INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJ:
Background
VILLAGE MANAGER MICHAEL E. JANONIS
WATER & SEWER SUPERINTENDENT
MARCH 13, 2013
BID RESULTS FOR WATER METERS ($57,425)
The Village of Mount Prospect operates a water distribution system that includes over 11,000
metered accounts. Staff follows the guidelines of the American Water Works Association
(AWWA) which recommends the replacement of most single - family home water meters (5/8"
and I on a 15 year cycle. Presently, the Public Works Department replaces 700 to 800 meters
each year as part of our continuous water meter replacement program.
Staff prepared a bid specification for the quantity of meters that are planned for replacement in
2013 plus a nominal meter reserve for new installations and emergency water meter changes.
The specifications required all vendors to meet or exceed AWWA cold water meter standards.
There were also required to provide an encoded (absolute digital encoder — ADE) register head
reading in gallons that will accommodate the Village's forthcoming automated meter reading
(AMR) system.
The bid request asked vendors to provide pricing on 750- 5/8" and 100 - 1" cold water meters.
The bid also asked that the vendor hold their pricing for a minimum of 180 days.
Bid Results
Bid documents were sent to six (6) firms and a bid notice was published in a local paper. Bids
were received on March 4, 2013, opened, and read aloud as required. Three (3) vendors
declined to bid and submitted the "No Bid" survey sheet. One vendor did not respond.
The following two (2) firms submitted bids:
SUPPLIER
5/8 EA TER
METER EA.
TOTAL BID
Badger Meter, Brown Deer, Wisconsin
$61.50 ea
$113.00
$ 57,425
Zenner Meters, Addison Texas
$60.78 ea
$123.90
$57,975
Water Products Inc, Aurora, Illinois
No Bid
Water Resources, Elgin, Illinois
No Bid
Mid American Water, Wauconda, Illinois
No Bid
HBK Meter Products, Palatine, Illinois
No Bid
Page 2 of 2
Bid Results for Water Meters ($57,425)
March 13, 2013
Discussion
Both bidders submitted pricing for low lead/ no- lead brass meters in compliance with recent
EPA reduced lead requirements.
All bids were checked to ensure that the supplier was providing product in accordance with the
specifications. Both bidders complied with all bid specifications. Also, both bidders stipulated
that they would honor their unit prices for a period of one hundred - eighty (180) days.
The apparent lowest cost bid was submitted by Badger Meter of Brown Deer, Wisconsin
(Badger).
After bid letting, staff learned of a major industry change that apparently affected the number of
bidders. Specifically, Elster AMCO Meter Company, part of the German conglomerate Elster
Group SE, has withdrawn their line of meters from the United States market. This action has
effectively precluded three (3) local dealers — Water Products, Mid American Water and Water
Resources, from offering a competitive product this year. As a consequence, interest in this bid
is lower than previous years.
Nevertheless, the bid results appear competitive. Badger's current price for a 5/8" meter is the
same as last year's cost (no increase) and their cost for a 1" meter has been reduced to $113
from last year's cost of $135.
Additionally, Badger has been the Village's water meter supplier in previous years and is
considered a reliable, responsive, and satisfactory water meter supplier.
Recommendation
I recommend that the Village Board accept the lowest, responsible bid for the purchase for Cold-
water meters as submitted by Badger Meter Company of Brown Deer, Wisconsin in an amount
not to exceed $57,425. Sufficient funds for this procurement exist in the current budget.
Matt Overeem, Superintendent
I concur.
n P. Dorsey
Director of Public Works
cc: Director of Public works Sean P. Dorsey
bid file