Beaches Water Co-operative
Date of Issue: July 15, 2013
Beaches Water Co-operative
5901 Hillside Road, P.O. Box 164
St. Leonard, MD 20685
(410) 586-8710
INVITATION TO BID
SOLICITATION NUMBER 13-002
WATER METER PROJECT
To Furnish Water Meters with Automated Meter Reading (AMR) Technology
BID CONTACT: CHERYL HOUCHEN
BEACHES WATER CO-OPERATIVE
5901 HILLSIDE ROAD
ST. LEONARD, MD 20685
www.beacheswater.com
E-MAIL: bwcmeterproject@gmail.com
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION: I, ROLAND JOUN, CERTIFY THAT THESE
DOCUMENTS WERE PREPARED BY OR APPROVED BY ME, AND THAT I AM A
DULY LICENSED PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE
OF MARYLAND LICENSE #19226 EXPIRATION DATE AUGUST 9, 2013.
WILKERSON
& ASSOCIATES, INC.
ENGINEERS & SURVEYORS
Box 17 Dunkirk, Maryland
(410) 257-3332, (301) 855-8272
Beaches Water Co-operative
Date of Issue: July 15, 2013
Table of Contents
Section
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Title
INVITATION TO BID
INTRODUCTION
BID DATES
SCOPE OF WORK
RESPONSE
SELECTION
CONTRACT AWARD
ATTACHMENTS:
A-BID FORM AND RESPONSE
B-METER AND AMR SPECIFICATIONS
C-CONTRACT
D- REQUIREMENTS AND CONTRACT PROVISIONS (MDE INSERT)
Solicitation Number # 13-002
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Water Meter Project
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Beaches Water Co-operative
Date of Issue: July 15, 2013
INVITATION TO BID
Solicitation No. 13-002
Beaches Water Co-operative Water Meter Project
To Furnish Water Meters with Automated Meter Reading (AMR) Technology
Beaches Water Co-operative (BWC) is hereby requesting sealed bids for furnishing meters with Automated
Meter Reading (AMR) Technology for the Water Meter Project in the Beaches Water Co-operative (BWC)
service area in Saint Leonard, Maryland.
Information for bidders, specifications and bid forms may be obtained at: www.beacheswater.com.
It is BWC’s intention to consider all available technology that will best meet its needs, both now and in the
future. BWC will accept proposals that may not meet some of the specific requirements in the bid
specifications if the systems as proposed are functionally equivalent to the bid specifications. Each deviation
from the specification should be clearly marked along with a description of the reason for the substitution.
All bids should be submitted to Beaches Water Co-operative, 5901 Hillside Road, Saint Leonard, MD 20685.
The bid shall be sealed in an envelope marked “Bid No. 13-002, Do Not Open.” A Bid Bond equal to 5% of the
total bid amount must be submitted with the bid. Sealed bids shall be received until 4:00 p.m. on August 19,
2013. It is the bidder’s responsibility to ensure that the bid is delivered by the designated time and date. Bids,
which for any reason are not delivered by the deadline, will not be considered and will be returned unopened
to the bidder.
Inquiries should be submitted via email to: bwcmeterproject@gmail.com. No telephone inquiries will be
accepted.
Small, local and minority owned businesses are encouraged to respond to this solicitation.
Beaches Water Co-operative
Solicitation Number # 13-002
Page 3 of 26
Water Meter Project
Beaches Water Co-operative
Date of Issue: July 15, 2013
1. Introduction
Beaches Water Company, Inc. (dba Beaches Water Co-operative (BWC)) is located in Saint Leonard,
Calvert County, Maryland. The office is situated at 5901 Hillside Road, St. Leonard, MD 20685. The
mailing address is P.O. Box 164, St. Leonard, MD 20685.
Community members came together in 1982 to form Beaches Water Company, Inc. when Calvert
County issued a building moratorium in the community due to unreliable water service. BWC is
governed by established Rules and By-Laws and administered by a Board of Directors (BOD). These
directors are elected from and by the community they serve. BWC’s mission is to provide dependable
and economical water service which meets or exceeds health standards for all co-operative members.
Since 1982, BWC has made many improvements, adding wells, a new pump house, a 100,000 gallon
tank, an emergency generator, and upgrading water lines. Our current challenges have been to reduce
water consumption through community awareness, obtaining financing for the purchase and
installation of meters to promote water conservation, providing fire hydrant service and increasing
water pressure to the higher elevations of the community.
Beaches Water Co-operative services approximately 800 property owners in parts of Calvert Beach,
Long Beach, Cherry Lane Farms, Kings Creek II, Calvert Beach Estates II, Long Beach Heights, and Flag
Harbor Heights. Property owners currently pay a flat charge on a quarterly basis for their water
service. Over the past several years BWC has been working toward the installation of water meters.
As the need for repairs to, or the installation of, individual shut off valves became necessary we began
to install meter pits instead of the valve boxes that would become obsolete when the meters were
installed. To date 210 meter pits have been installed without meters.
To complete this project, BWC applied for and has been approved for a loan and grant from the
Maryland Department of the Environment Drinking Water Revolving Loan Fund Program. The loan and
grant will be the source of funding for our Water Meter Project. The schedule and requirements of the
Water Meter Project are outlined in the following sections of this Invitation to Bid.
2. Bid Dates
Anticipated Solicitation Event
Public Notices in Maryland Newspapers
Bid Document Published to BWC Website
Deadline for Receipt of Questions (via e-mail)*
Date of Addendum for Response to Questions
Deadline for Bid Submissions**
Date (and Time)
July 15, 2013
July 15, 2013
July 29, 2013
August 6, 2013
August 19, 2013 by 4:00 p.m.
* All questions shall be submitted via email. Questions and technical content discussions will not be conducted
over the phone.
** Bids shall not expire for at least 90 days after date of bid opening.
Solicitation Number # 13-002
Page 4 of 26
Water Meter Project
Beaches Water Co-operative
Date of Issue: July 15, 2013
3. Scope of Work
a. General Requirements
BWC requests pricing from companies that are capable of providing approximately 800 state-ofthe-art water meters with Automated Meter Reading (AMR) technology. BWC currently provides
non-metered water service to its members.
b. Supplier’s Responsibilities
Quality Assurance
1. Materials
BWC will inspect all materials upon delivery and before installation to ensure compliance with
the Contract Documents.
2. The complete assembly shall be lead-free.
Material and Equipment
Water Meters with Automated Meter Reading shall be in accordance with Specifications
indicated in Attachment B or equal.
Warranty
A written guarantee shall be provided warranting the water meters for full replacement for
first 10 years and prorated for the next 10 years at the rate of 10% per year.
4. Response
a. Qualifications and Experience
Company Experience
Provide an overview of your Company’s experience with similar water meter projects and why you
believe that your Company, and the Water Meters with Automated Meter Reading being
proposed, is best suited to serve the needs of BWC.
Proposed Water Meters with Automated Meter Reading Technical Solution
Provide a detailed overview of how your proposed Water Meters with Automated Meter Reading
solutions will address the performance criteria outlined in Attachment B of this BID document.
Your response should include diagrams, schematics, data sheets, interface specifications, warranty
coverage, and any other relevant technical information necessary to show the merits of your
proposed solution. Your response must also include the following information for at least four (4)
completed projects which utilize the same meter technology proposed herein: name of customer;
number of metered endpoints; date of completion; and information for contact person (name,
phone number, email, etc).
Solicitation Number # 13-002
Page 5 of 26
Water Meter Project
Beaches Water Co-operative
Date of Issue: July 15, 2013
b. Price/Fee
Provide a completed Bid Form as outlined in Attachment A of the BID document.
c. Payment Schedule
The Supplier must provide payment terms of no less than net 45 days.
d. Information to be furnished by the Bidder:
Bids should be organized and formatted in the following manner:
A. Title Page - Show the BID subject, the name of the Bidder, address, phone number, name of
the contact person and the date.
B. Table of Contents - Include a clear identification of the material by section and by page
number
a. Scope of Work – State Bidder’s understanding of BWC’s needs.
b. Work to be performed - Briefly demonstrate that the Bidder understands the product to
be provided. Explain how your solution will specifically meet the technical needs of BWC
and the advantage over other solutions.
c. Authorized Representatives - State the name(s) of the person(s) who will be authorized
to make representations for the Bidder, their titles, addresses and phone numbers.
d. Primary Contact and Assigned Personnel - Give the name of the Bidder and firm, address
and phone number, and the name and title of the one individual who would be
responsible for this purchase.
e. References - Provide a minimum of two (2) references where the Bidder has provided
similar products. Include the name, address and phone number of a contact person as
well as brief description of the product provided.
f. Invitation to Bid Cover Page - The cover page of this Bid document must be submitted
with the Bid.
C. Attachments – Completed forms and documents requested by this Bid document.
Solicitation Number # 13-002
Page 6 of 26
Water Meter Project
Beaches Water Co-operative
Date of Issue: July 15, 2013
5. Selection
The Contract is to be awarded to the lowest responsible, responsive Bidder. BWC will tally all the
bids under Option A and all the bids under Option B. BWC will choose the lowest responsible,
responsive bid under either Option A or under Option B.
Initial Evaluation for Responsiveness: each Bid will first be evaluated for responsiveness (i.e. meets
the minimum of the published requirements). BWC reserves the right to reject any and all Bids
deemed as not minimally responsive.
6. Contract
a. Contract Document
1. BWC and the successful Bidder will execute the contract prior to initiation of project.
2. All provisions within this solicitation document are considered to be included in the terms of
the contract by reference.
b. Delivery
Due the large amount of materials, materials should be delivered in 4 shipments. The first
shipment should be delivered two weeks after the contract is executed. The second shipment
should be delivered 30 days after the first shipment. Each succeeding shipment should follow 30
days after the last.
c. Contract Payment
The Supplier shall reduce billing invoices by a 10% retainage to be paid upon the satisfactory
completion of the project as a whole.
d. Invoicing Requirements
Supplier invoices shall reflect the prices for the items as agreed. Only properly submitted invoices
will be officially processed for payment. Invoices submitted without required information will be
returned for entry of the missing information and will not be paid until the missing information is
provided and the invoice resubmitted.
1. BWC will pay properly completed and authorized invoice within forty five (45) days of
receipt.
2. BWC will pay all invoices by check with a net 45 day payment.
Solicitation Number # 13-002
Page 7 of 26
Water Meter Project
Beaches Water Co-operative
Date of Issue: July 15, 2013
e. Liquidated Damages
Liquidated Damages
Contract Amount
From
Liquidated Damages per working day
To
$500,000-$1,000,000
$1,000,000-$2,000,000
$1,000
$2,000
f. Termination Clause
BWC may at any time exercise the right to terminate the contract if the Supplier defaults on the
contract requirements. BWC shall provide written notice of termination to the Supplier providing
reason for termination.
Solicitation Number # 13-002
Page 8 of 26
Water Meter Project
Beaches Water Co-operative
Date of Issue: July 15, 2013
ATTACHMENTS
ATTACHMENT A - BID FORM AND RESPONSE
ATTACHMENT B – METERS AND AMR SPECIFICATIONS
ATTACHMENT C – CONTRACT
ATTACHMENT D- REQUIREMENTS AND CONTRACT PROVISIONS (MDE INSERT)
Solicitation Number # 13-002
Page 9 of 26
Water Meter Project
Beaches Water Co-operative
Date of Issue: July 15, 2013
ATTACHMENT A - BID FORM and RESPONSE
The undersigned hereby declares and represents that:
a) Bidder has carefully examined and fully understands the project requirements as stated in BWC’s BID
document.
b) Bidder has not received, relied on or based our Bid on any verbal instructions contrary to the BID
documents or any subsequent addenda.
c) Bidder has no outstanding AMR related litigation with any other company or agency. If so, provide
details of such litigation in an attachment to this Bid.
d) Bidder accepts all the terms and conditions of the Instructions to Bidders. Bidder agrees that the bid
will not expire for ninety (90) days after the date of bid opening.
e) Bidder has examined copies of all the contract documents and hereby acknowledges receipt of the
following Addenda:
Number
Date
NAME OF BIDDER:
ADDRESS:
CITY, STATE, ZIP:
TELEPHONE/FAX NUMBER(S):
NAME OF AUTHORIZED SIGNATORY:
TITLE OF AUTHORIZED SIGNATORY:
SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED SIGNATORY:
DATE OF BID SUBMITTAL:
SUBMIT FIVE (5) COPIES OF
BID TO:
Solicitation Number # 13-002
BEACHES WATER CO-OPERATIVE
ATTN: CHERYL HOUCHEN
5901 HILLSIDE ROAD
ST. LEONARD, MD, 20685
Page 10 of 26
Water Meter Project
Beaches Water Co-operative
Date of Issue: July 15, 2013
BIDDER PROPOSED PRICING
FOR
WATER METER PROJECT
Date:
Bidding Firm:
The goal of this project is to develop, finance, manage, and implement a system-wide deployment of a mobile
AMR solution for BWC that fully meets or exceeds the performance criteria product specifications contained
within this document. Responding firms who meet all criteria outlined herein are invited to present a bid
addressing the following product specifications:
Option A: Ultrasonic Meters
ITEM
DESCRIPTION1
QTY 2
1
2
5/8” x 3/4” water meters
2” water meters
Materials Subtotal
800 EA
8 EA
3
AMR reading equipment/software/training
Infrastructure Subtotal
TOTAL BID AMOUNT3
UNIT
PRICE
TOTAL PRICE
UNIT
PRICE
TOTAL PRICE
1 EA
Option B: Mechanical Meters
ITEM
DESCRIPTION1
QTY 2
1
2
5/8” x 3/4” water meters
2” water meters
Materials Subtotal
800 EA
8 EA
3
AMR reading equipment/software/training
Infrastructure Subtotal
TOTAL BID AMOUNT3
1 EA
NOTES:
1
All equipment contained herein must meet the specifications outlined in Attachments B.
Quantity is an estimate provided by BWC, final project pricing shall be determined by actual
meter numbers at the price per item as listed.
3
Total Bid Amount equals items 1 through 3. The lowest responsible, responsive bidder from
Option A or Option B will be selected.
2
Solicitation Number # 13-002
Page 11 of 26
Water Meter Project
Beaches Water Co-operative
Date of Issue: July 15, 2013
REQUEST FOR BIDS-RESPONSE
FOR
WATER METER PROJECT
Please Complete and Return This Form with Your Bid
Issue Date:
July 15, 2013
Title:
Water Meter Project
Delivery Address:
Beaches Water Co-operative
5901 Hillside Road
Saint Leonard, MD 20685
IN COMPLIANCE WITH THIS REQUEST FOR BIDS AND TO ALL THE CONDITIONS IMPOSED HEREIN,
THE UNDERSIGNED OFFERS AND AGREES TO FURNISH THE PRODUCTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
SIGNED BID, OR AS MUTUALLY AGREED UPON THROUGH SUBSEQUENT NEGOTIATION, THE
UNDERSIGNED FURTHER CERTIFIES THAT HE/SHE IS AUTHORIZED TO SIGN THIS DOCUMENT ON
BEHALF OF THE SUBMITTING FIRM.
Name of Firm:
Address:
City, State, Zip:
Phone Number:
Fax Number:
Signature of Person
Submitting Bid:
Printed or Typed Name:
Title:
NOTE: Changes to this BID DOCUMENT may be issued in the form of addenda at any time prior to
the due date and time of submitting Bids. ADDENDA WILL BE POSTED TO BWC’S WEBSITE AT:
WWW.BEACHESWATER.COM. IT IS THE BIDDERS RESPONSIBILITY TO CHECK THE WEBSITE
FREQUENTLY FOR ANY ADDENDA.
Solicitation Number # 13-001
Page 12 of 26
Water Meter Project
Beaches Water Co-operative
Date of Issue: July 15, 2013
ATTACHMENT B - METERS AND AMR SPECIFICATIONS
Beaches Water Co-operative (BWC) is hereby requesting sealed bids for furnishing a meter reading
system capable of meeting the current and future meter reading needs within our service area. The
scope of work involves, but is not limited to, providing meters and a meter reading system which includes
software, hardware and all necessary training and software installation support. The reading equipment
shall be capable of receiving meter readings while utilizing a mobile reading unit. All parts of the
proposed system must be provided by the same company.
1. Water Meters
Meters shall comply with the following specifications:
a) General
All cold water meters shall be produced from an ISO 9001 manufacturing facility and conform to the
“Standard Specifications for Cold Water Meters” C700, latest revision issued by AWWA C702 and be
NSF/ANSI 61 certified manufactured with a no lead bronze alloy.
b) Type – Vendors should bid either Option A, Option B, or both:
Option A – Ultrasonic Meters
Badger Meter E-Series® Ultrasonic lead-free meters, or equal, (stainless steel or engineered
polymer) details specified in the diagrams and figures below:
• Wide measuring range or turndown (maximum flow/minimum flow)
• High accuracy sustained over the meter’s life
• High repeatability
• No moving parts to wear out
• Negligible pressure drop
• Unaffected by particles in the water and liquid deposits
• Minimal maintenance
Option B – Mechanical Meters
Mechanical type meters should meet the following specifications or equal:
 All meter maincases shall be made of a no-lead high copper alloy containing a minimum of
85% copper or composite material that meets all Maryland standards and the ANSI/NSF 61/Annex
G standard with less that 8 ppm lead. The serial number should be stamped between the outlet
port of the maincase and the register. Maincase markings shall be cast raised and shall indicate
size, model, direction of flow, and NSF 61 certification. Plastic maincases are not acceptable.
 Maincases for 5/8”, ¾” and 1” meters shall be of the removable bottom cap type with the
bottom cap secured. Intermediate meter maincases shall also be made of the same lead-free
brass or composite material in sizes 1-1/2” and 2” with a cover secured to the maincase. Meters
with a frost plug, a screw-on design or no bottom cap shall not be accepted in 5/8” – 1” sizes. The
5/8” meters shall have a synthetic polymer or cast iron bottom cap option.
Solicitation Number # 13-002
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Water Meter Project
Beaches Water Co-operative
Date of Issue: July 15, 2013
 All no-lead maincases shall be guaranteed free of manufacturing defects in workmanship and
material for the life of the meter. All meters must be adaptable to a field programmable absolute
encoder register without interruption of the customer’s service.
 2” Meters shall be compound meters consisting of a combination AWWA Class II turbine meter
for measuring high flow rates and a positive displacement meter for low flow requirements
enclosed in a single main case, ANSI/NSF 61 certified. An automatic valve shall direct flows
through the low flow meter at low flow rates and through the turbine meter at high flow rates.
 Bolts - All maincase bolts shall be of 300 series non-magnetic stainless steel to prevent
corrosion.
 Absolute Encoder Register - The register must be an absolute encoder register. The register
will have data logging capabilities. The register must contain the battery and all connections and
with an external antenna for mounting through the lid, if necessary for reliable operation.
 Measuring Chamber - The control block shall be the same material as the measuring chamber
and be located on the top of the chamber. The control block shall be located after the strainer.
The measuring chamber outlet port shall be sealed to the maincase outlet port by means of an”O”
ring gasket. The chamber shall be warranted for 10 years against freeze damage if the meter has
been equipped with a frost proof cast iron or synthetic polymer bottom cap.
 Strainers - All meters shall contain a removable strainer screen. The strainer shall be located
near the maincase inlet port, before the measuring chamber.
 Performance – To ensure accuracy, each meter must be accompanied by a factory test tag
certifying the accuracy at the flows required by AWWA C700.
c) Warranty
All meters shall be warranted as follows:
The vendor will repair or replace, at its discretion, a non-performing Product at no cost during the first
ten (10) years of the warranty and at prorated price discounts during the last ten (10) years of the
warranty. Prorated price discount schedule:
• Years 11 through 12—75% discount;
• Years 13 through 15—50% discount;
• Year 16—40% discount;
• Year 17—30% discount;
• Year 18—20% discount; and
• Years 19 through 20—10% discount.
Meter Accuracy
The meter products will meet or exceed meter accuracy of ±1.5% between the gallons per minute
(gpm) “minimum flow rate” to “maximum flow rate” for twenty (20) years from date of shipment:
5/8" and 5/8" x 3/4" Meter: 0.1 gpm to 25 gpm
Solicitation Number # 13-002
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Water Meter Project
Beaches Water Co-operative
Solicitation Number # 13-002
Date of Issue: July 15, 2013
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Water Meter Project
Beaches Water Co-operative
Solicitation Number # 13-002
Date of Issue: July 15, 2013
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Solicitation Number # 13-002
Date of Issue: July 15, 2013
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Solicitation Number # 13-002
Date of Issue: July 15, 2013
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Water Meter Project
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Date of Issue: July 15, 2013
2. AMR System
A. System Overview
The meter reading system shall be adaptable to walk-by, mobile and targeted fixed network
methods of collecting data. The transition from walk-by to mobile to fixed network shall be
seamless and allow all methods to operate together in a hybrid system. The AMR system shall be
easily migratable to an AMI system without the need to replace transmitters or other major
equipment. Beaches Water Co-op will initially use mobile data collection as the main method. The
walk-by method will be needed to survey single meters for updating and trouble shooting. The
fixed method maybe utilized in the future and as such only the integration need to be provided at
this time not the module.
The meter reading system shall include a walk-by system providing a migration path from the
walk-by to mobile through to targeted fixed network applications. The difference between the
three systems shall be the method of gathering the meter readings. The systems are not mutually
exclusive – they can be used together seamlessly. The first shall use the handheld data collection
device; the second shall use a mobile data collection device driven near the customer premises to
collect reads; and the third shall use a fixed network data collector to continually receive, store
and communicate data from meters within range. The system shall be a drive-by RF system with
external antennas. The antenna must come through or fit under the lid as BWC has both type lids.
1. Host Software – The software package shall be installed on the host system at the Beaches
Water Co-operative site. Its main function shall be to make route assignments to send to the
data collection device and to transfer collected information to the billing/CIS system via a
transfer tile. The Vendor will be responsible for the transfer file and securing a billing software
professional to provide the water billing software and provide two (2) days of training to the
Beaches Water Co-operative personnel.
2. Data Collection Device – The means of communication between the meter interface unit (MIU)
installed at the meter site and the host software. A mobile application, the data collection
device must be a portable personal computer integrated to an RF receiver that can be installed
in any vehicle. It must also demonstrate the ability to receive, store and communicate meter
readings to the host software for further use and analysis.
3. Meters/Meter Interface Units – Meters connected to electronic devices that shall collect
meter usage from an encoder meter register and shall transmit the meter reading and a
unique ID number to the data collection device.
B. Host Software
Solicitation Number # 13-002
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Water Meter Project
Beaches Water Co-operative
Date of Issue: July 15, 2013
The Host Software must be meter-reading software that will transfer files between the Beaches
Water Co-operative Billing/CIS System and the data collection devices. The Vendor will provide
the transfer file to the Vendor’s file format. The host software must be configurable for either a
stand-alone installation or operate in a client/server environment.
1. Computer Platform – The meter reading software must be capable of running in a stand-alone
mode and have the capability to support a Windows Client/Server environment. The Vendor
shall provide Billing Software that will interface with the installed AMR system and QuickBooks
2012 or later. (Desktop PC not included in bid)
2. Basic Functions – The software must provide easy management of the meter reading data.
After the readings are collected, they must be unloaded to the PC for review and reporting and
exported to a file to be sent to the Beaches Water Co-operative/CIS System. New meter
reading routes must then be imported into the database and prepared for loading into the
handheld.
The meter reading software shall manage the routes that are loaded into the data collection
device and be able split them into multiple routes if necessary.
The meter reading software must include the following:
a. Loads/unloads from the handhelds by serial communications at a minimum speed of 19,200
bps and via Ethernet communications at minimum speed of 10 Mbps.
b. Allows PC operator to review and edit any account in the meter reading data base.
c. Generates route and activity reports defined by the user.
d. Provides database backup/restore functions.
e. Allows user to merge several separate files into one data base.
f. Enables the user to setup and save custom report formats.
g. Enables the user to specify the data to be exported from the database for transferring to the
billing system.
h. Allows for database records to be automatically deleted during the export process.
i. Enables the user to search the database for records matching specified information.
j. Allows the user to define up to 100 notes.
3. Typical Read Cycle
In a typical Read Cycle, the meter reading system must allow the following operations:
a.
Merging of routes into the existing database for loading onto a data
collection device.
b.
The selection of routes to be read, splitting of routes and assignment to
routes to a data collection device. Generate the route file and load it onto
the data collection device or Flash Drive.
c.
Unloading routes from the data collection device.
d.
Posting of reading from the data collection device onto appropriate
accounts within the database.
e.
Making a backup copy of the routes within the database (including current
system configuration files).
f.
Printing pre-selected reports.
g.
Exporting routes out of the data base to be sent back to the Beaches Water
Co-operative billing system.
Solicitation Number # 13-002
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Water Meter Project
Beaches Water Co-operative
Date of Issue: July 15, 2013
4. Reports
Standard reports must include:
a.
Route Assignments
b.
Accounts with Readings
c.
Accounts without Readings
d.
ID Compare
e.
Returned With Notes
f.
Hi/Lo Fails
g.
Found Meters
h.
Dashes/Opens
The software must also provide a powerful custom report generator, allowing the user to select an
order specific fields form the database to be printed; in addition, allow the entire database to be
sorted by criteria such as date, reader ID or other specified fields.
5. Special Reports
Special Reports must provide meter reader productivity information. The reporting module must
also be a detailed productivity report that will list total number of reading for a specific meter
reader and book as well as the time elapsed between each read entered. Also available must be a
summary of start time, stop time, elapsed time, mean, maximum and minimum read times.
C. Data Collection Devices
1. Mobile Data Collection System
The mobile data collection device must be a portable, compact electronic system mountable in any
vehicle. It must collect the data broadcast by the meter interface units and store it onto a USB
Flash Drive to be downloaded to the host computer at the Beaches Water Co-operative office.
2. Hardware Specifications
The key components of the collection device must consist of a Portable Personal Computer (PPC)
and an integrated radio receiver unit packaged in rugged, weatherproof, compact carrying case
enclosure.
The mobile data collection device must be easily installed in any vehicle that will drive to the field
for meter reading. It must be mounted securely in the passenger seat with a standard seat belt.
Through a 12 VDC plug-in power cord, the unit must be powered form the vehicle’s power supply
(cigarette lighter).
The system must include a magnetic base antenna and the antenna cord as well as all necessary
power and communication cables.
The system must comply with FCC specification: Part 15.
The PPC must be a ruggedized laptop PC. The system must have flash upgradeable BIOS with
advanced power management interface. The keyboard must have a spill-proof membrane and
back light with intensity control and built-in solid state mouse. The display must be transmissive,
Solicitation Number # 13-002
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Water Meter Project
Beaches Water Co-operative
Date of Issue: July 15, 2013
having a light sensor that automatically adjusts screen intensity per ambient light, a shock/scratchresistant anti-glare plate and incorporate touch technology. The unit must be enclosed in a hard
mount case including and extendable handle and wheels.
3. Environmental Conditions
The mobile data collection device must work in the following environmental conditions:
a.
b.
c.
Operating Temperatures: 32ºF to +122ºF (0ºC to +50º)
Storage Temperatures: -40ºF to +185ºF (-40ºC to +50ºC)
Operating Humidity: 5% to 95 % non-condensing relative humidity
4. Software requirements
a. Computer Platform
The laptop computer must use Windows XP as a minimum for the platform operating system.
b. Basic Functions
The software must be a dialog-based, intuitive, easy-to-use meter reading application.
After the meter reader starts the reading process, the software must be fully automated to
collect the meter reading data received from the radio receiver unit and store it in an Export
file which can be used by the host software to update the mainframe route data. The system
must utilize a USB flash drove for data storage and transfer.
Self-diagnostic tests must be run upon booting up the laptop or on request to ensure the good
functionality of the system, including the collection method.
Unit must be capable of optimizing the memory storage space by filtering out the duplicate
readings from the same MIU and keeping only the last reading received.
Each reading record must contain a MI ID and a time stamp of the reading.
The software must have the option to provide found meter processing for new accounts. The
software must be capable of performing high/low test on readings. The software interface
must allow the user to select a single route to view the route status. The mobile data
collection software unit must allow a manual reading to be entered into the account record.
The software must allow free form notes to be entered to record conditions in the field that
require noting and may require an additional work order created to address at a later date.
The software must be capable of displaying meter points and read success and unread
accounts via GIS mapping interface. The software must be capable of collecting the following
information for the host to generate reports: leak detection, tamper detection and backflow
conditions.
The mobile data collection unit must allow for GPS location tracking of the meter reading
vehicle. The mobile data collection unit must allow for wireless importing and exporting of
route files.
5. Performance Requirements
The antenna must be omni-directional and support a gain of 5 dB minimum.
The receiver utilized must operate with a minimum sensitivity of greater than 110 dBm.
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Water Meter Project
Beaches Water Co-operative
Date of Issue: July 15, 2013
The receiver module must process at minimum72 discreet channels across a 10 MHz
bandwidth utilizing a digital signal processor capable of capturing 8 meter readings
simultaneously from these channels.
The receiver module must operate with a dynamic range of greater than or equal to 100 dB
with a message success rate greater than 50%.
The mobile data collection device must be able to maintain a minimum sustained processing
rate of 70 unique reading accounts per second.
The mobile data collection device must reject a minimum 45 dB of noise energy above the
target message in adjacent channels.
The mobile data collection device must operate effectively at posted speed limits.
6. Training and Support
A proven, detailed training plan must be developed by the Vendor with approval by the
Beaches Water Co-operative based on results of pre-implementation meetings.
The following items to be determined during these meetings:
a.
Identify the training personnel and the employees to be trained.
b.
Identify training schedules for hardware, software and total system products.
c.
Define acceptance criteria for system deployment.
The Vendor shall be responsible for fully training the Beaches Water Co-operative personnel in
the system mapping, deployment planning and installation of the fixed network LAN and WAN
components.
Curriculum. The Vendor shall provide thorough training for all aspects of AMR system
operation and must include the following.
 Obtaining readings and consumption data from the system.
 Transferring readings and other information between the AMR system and billing system.
 Creating reports.
 Troubleshooting and diagnostic procedures for all AMR system components.
 Changing or adding customer accounts/MIU/meters to the system.
 AMR installation procedures based on manufacturer documents and requirements.
7. Support Services
All training will be included in the price. This training must be done within 5 business days of the
request. This additional training will be provided on site. This system training and reading training
must be done by training personnel; this cannot be the salesman for the account.
The manufacturer shall have a Customer Support Department. The Customer Support Department
is required to maintain a telephone Help Desk and must have the capability of continuing the
support through the use of a service agreement. A list of required services to be provided by the
Help Desk includes but is not limited to the following:
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Water Meter Project
Beaches Water Co-operative
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Date of Issue: July 15, 2013
Answer and resolve hardware/operation/maintenance questions and problems.
Answer and resolve software operation questions and problems.
Evaluation of information for updates or revisions.
Evaluation of personnel for training needs.
Additional on-site training or evaluation as needed.
D. Installation and Training
Complete installation and operating instructions will be included for all of the supplied hardware and
software equipment. The training must be supplied by the system manufacturer or approved VAR.
The proposal must include any additional costs for training and assistance to install and begin
operation of the system. The Vendor will also inform the customer of what pre-installation activities
are to be completed and what support material will be needed for the initial installation.
E. Performance Warranties
In evaluating bid submittals, warranty coverage will be considered. The Vendor shall be required to
state its warranty and/or guarantee policy with respect to each item of proposed equipment. The
procedure for submitting warranty claims must also be provided
F. System Maintenance and Support
In addition to warranty periods, Vendors are required to supply information on required or optional
maintenance programs beyond the warranty period for both hardware and software. The Vendor
must offer multiple-year maintenance contracts so the Beaches Water Company can take advantage
of multi-year discounts. The location of and procedures for obtaining such support shall be stated.
Solicitation Number # 13-002
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Water Meter Project
Beaches Water Co-operative
Date of Issue: July 15, 2013
ATTACHMENT C-CONTRACT
Solicitation Number # 13-002
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Water Meter Project
Beaches Water Co-operative
Date of Issue: July 15, 2013
ATTACHMENT D:
REQUIREMENTS AND CONTRACT PROVISIONS (MDE INSERT)
Solicitation Number # 13-002
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Water Meter Project