Recommend approval to procure water meter data collection services from Utility Partners of America in the amount of $653,441. The services will be used by the Public Works and Water Resources and Revenue Department for water meter data collection for the City of Savannah’s existing Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) and Advanced Meter Infrastructure (AMI) system.

The existing advanced infrastructure system is a Badger Orion/Beacon Cellular System and is a hybrid structure of both AMR and AMI units with a total of approximately 29000 water units.  These “smart” water meter units serve customers in the City of Savannah and unincorporated areas of Chatham County.

In order to most greatly benefit from the efficiencies AMR and AMI technology can provide, the City desires to obtain key information for each of the City’s automated meters, including, but not limited to, the GPS location at sub-meter accuracy, a photograph of each meter site and product, the endpoint/radio type, a visual survey of the property type, and the resolution setting. 

In 2017, the City of Savannah contracted with KPMG, Inc. to produce the City of Savannah Utility Billing and Collection Assessment Report.  This report analyzed the City of Savannah utility billing and collection processes and procedures.  Per recommendation 6.1 and 6.4 of the report, the City of Savannah should prioritize obtaining accurate meter information and the creation of electronic processes that allow for better tracking and sharing of data pertaining to maintaining an accurate meter inventory.  While many improvements have been made to these processes, the City now desires a full survey of all existing AMR and AMI meter equipment to ensure the accuracy of meter inventory records moving forward.  The data collected will assist the City in transitioning to the updated Badger Beacon Meter Reading Software, as well as be utilized in the CityWorks asset inventory system, which will allow for improved management of water system equipment.

The method used for this procurement was the request for proposals (RFP). The proposals were evaluated on the basis of qualifications and experience, work plan and timeline, references, DBE Goal, local vendor participation, and fees.

Approval