CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
title
Approve the award of Bid 18-285, Water Meter Replacement Program, to HBK Water Meter Service, Inc. for an amount not to exceed $1,029,150, plus a 3% contingency and for a two-year term
body
DEPARTMENT: Water Utilities
SUBMITTED BY: Mark Curran, Interim Director
BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW:
N/A
BACKGROUND:
In December 2018, the Water Utilities issued Bid 18-285 to replace approximately 11,000 small-diameter (3/4-inch and 1-inch) water meters and reading devices located at residences throughout the City. Water meters deteriorate with age, losing accuracy as their moving parts wear out. Planned replacement of older meters ensures customers will be billed fairly and accurately. Water meters over 16 years of age are targeted for replacement, along with any meters that are not compatible with AMR/AMI technology. In addition, the Utility has been testing a selection of removed meters to better quantify the magnitude of the accuracy loss in different ages and types of meters.
The Utility does not have the staffing level needed to conduct a large-scale meter replacement program using in-house labor and must rely upon contractors to keep the project on schedule. City staff will continue to replace meters that fail in service, requiring immediate action, and will perform planned replacements in situations where it is impractical to use a contractor.
DISCUSSION:
Advertise Date: 12/06/2018 Notices Sent: 75
Opening Date: 12/21/2018 Planholders: 14
Bids Received: 3
Bids were received from the following vendors:
Vendor
Total Cost
HBK Water Meter Service, Inc.
$1,029,150
Professional Meter, Inc.
$1,060,500
United Meters, Inc.
$1,398,550
During the January 15 Council meeting a member of the public shared concerns about whether HBK had followed the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act when performing prior work for the City. The member of the public understood that the Illinois Department of Labor is the ent...
Click here for full text