HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Awarding Contract for the Water Distribution System Monitoring Network RESOLUTION NO. 21-615
RESOLUTION AWARDING CONTRACT FOR THE
WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM MONITORING NETWORK
FOR THE CITY OF AMES,IOWA
WHEREAS, management of water pressure in distribution systems is fundamental to
providing safe drinking water, and a loss of pressure can potentially allow ground water to
contaminate the system and pressure fluctuations within a distribution system can result in water
main breaks; and,
WHEREAS, by installing and monitoring a network of pressure sensors, treatment plant
operators and utility maintenance personnel will be able to detect and locate water main breaks easier
and more quickly, resulting in faster response times to isolate and repair the break; and,
WHEREAS, access to real-time data will also allow staff to better determine when a boil
water advisory is needed; and,
WHEREAS,currently,pressure monitoring is performed only at a small number of locations
that are connected to the Water Treatment Plant's Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition
(SCADA) system; and,
WHEREAS, the Distribution System Monitoring Network would increase the number of
monitoring points to approximately two dozen locations, which these locations include pump
stations,elevated tanks,critical water crossings,pressure reducing valves,and the Water Treatment
Plant; and,
WHEREAS,the Distribution System Monitoring Network would also work independent of
the Water Treatment Plant's SCADA system,and this would allow Public Works staff access to the
data/information without compromising the security of the SCADA system; and,
WHEREAS, on September 3, 2021, staff issued a Request for Proposal for the purchase of
equipment and necessary technical support for the Distribution System Monitoring Network; and
WHEREAS, four proposals were received and scored by staff from the Water&Pollution
Control and Public Works Departments; and,
WHEREAS, scoring was based on cost, understanding of the project,
experience/qualifications, and fulfillment of technical requirements; and,
WHEREAS, staff believed that the proposal from Electric Pump was the best overall value
to the City, and City staff have had positive outcomes when working with Electric Pump on past
projects and expect similar results with this project; and,
WHEREAS, negotiations of scope between Electric Pump and the City resulted in the
addition of one site to the network,changing six sites from battery to utility power,and inclusion of
six pressure monitors that can be moved throughout the distribution system; and,
WHEREAS,these portable monitors would be used in areas that have water pressure/quality
concerns and areas that have a potential for pressure concerns (i.e. large construction projects),
whereas, these changes resulted in a cost increase of$21,715 bringing the total cost to $232,375;
and,
WHEREAS, the FY 2021/22 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) includes $985,000 for the
Distribution System Monitoring Network, and staff is anticipating a cost of less than$100,000 for
installation of the equipment.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Ames, Iowa,
that the Contract to Electric Pump of Des Moines, Iowa, for the Water Distribution System
Monitoring Network in the amount of$232,375 is hereby approved.
ADOPTED THIS 14t' day of December, 2021.
Diane R. Voss, City Clerk John A. Haila, Mayor
Introduced by: Gartin
Seconded by: Beatty-Hansen
Voting aye: Beatty-Hansen, Betcher, Corrieri, Gartin, Junck, Martin
Voting nay: None Absent: None
Resolution declared adopted and signed by the Mayor this 14" day of December, 2021.