Recommend approval of a solesource purchase of a new water recirculation system for the Water Distribution Mars water meter test bench. This purchase also includes services from Mars Company to relocate the test bench from 706 Stiles Avenue / City Lot to the New City Interchange complex in an amount of $106,776.

City Water Distribution is moving from 706 Stiles Avenue to the new Interchange Court complex. This move will include the Mars water meter test bench along with the Water Distribution inventory.  The meter test bench is made up of calibrated water tanks, piping, valves, computer software and extremely sensitive scales which all work in concert to compare and measure the actual amount / weight of the water that goes through the meter with what the meter registers as shown on the meter readings. Due to the sensitivity of the scales and the calibration equipment, this move must be done by professionals from the Mars Company.

The Mars water meter test bench was purchased in mid-2018 and its purpose is to test the accuracy of the water meter assets in the City water distribution system. Water meters typically slow down as their service life increases, which means that water meters do not register the total amount of water passing through the meter. 

Included in this cost and during this move, a water recirculation system and ultra-low flow tanks will be installed with the test bench. The recirculation system recycles the test water used on the test bench and maintains volume and pressure to test all the meters at the recommended AWWA (American Water Works Association) specifications. The benefits of the recirculation system and the ultra-low flow tanks include:

• Compliance with local, State and Federal laws and regulations as it reduces the chemicals released into the environment
• Compliance for testing under State well withdrawal permits
• An immediate reduction in test water consumption and water dumped to waste after each meter test
• Improved public perception as it sets an example for water conservation practices
• Improves and increases accuracy at low-flow rates to assure all water is metered and accounted for

The cost breakdown for this Mars water meter test bench move includes:

• De-install of existing Mars System Test Bench at 704 Stiles Avenue and move to Interchange Court Complex - $6,250
• Mars Ultra Low – Flow Tanks Option (< ¼ gpm) - $16,857
• Mars Recirculation System – tanks, pumps, VFD, VFD panel, piping and valves and chlorination and filtration system - $46.543
• Installation assistance and training - $28,829; Project Management - $6,337; Freight, handling and crating fees - $1,960 Increased covered revenue.  

This is a sole source purchase because MARS Company is the manufacturer of the existing equipment, and it is only available only from MARS Company. 

  MARS Company (Ocala, Fl)^(D) $106,776

 (D) Indicates non-local, non-DBE business. 

Approval