Status: Current Bid Request
Bid #: 2010-02
Bidding Started: 6/21/10 at 8:16 AM
Bidding Ends: 7/22/10 at 5:00 PM (Bidding Ends in 3 Days!)

Description:

City of Wilson

Invitation for Bids

Advanced Metering Infrastructure




INVITATION FOR BIDS IFB 2010-02XX
TITLE: Advanced Metering Infrastructure Systems
USING AGENCY: CITY OF WILSON, NORTH CAROLINA
ISSUE DATE: March 5, 2010
ISSUING AGENCY: CITY OF WILSON
P.O. BOX 10
1800 EAST HERRING AVENUE
WILSON, NORTH CAROLINA 27894-0010

IMPORTANT NOTE: Indicate firm name and IFB number on the front of each sealed Bid envelope or package, along with the date for receipt of Bids specified below.
Sealed BIDS subject to the terms and conditions made a part hereof will be received until July 9th, 2010 @ 5:00 p.m. for furnishing the services described herein. Bids will be opened in the office of the Purchasing Manager at the City of Wilson Warehouse 1800 Herring Avenue, Wilson, North Carolina.
All qualified Bids will be evaluated and an award will be made to the firm (s) whose Bid is deemed to be in the best interest of the City of Wilson, all factors considered. The City of Wilson reserves the unqualified right to reject any or all offers if determined in its best interest.
SEND ALL BIDS DIRECTLY TO THE ISSUING AGENCY ADDRESS SHOWN ABOVE.
Procedural inquiries: Richard Williams
(Address shown above)
(252) 399-2405
rwilliams@wilsonnc.org

Technical inquiries: Neil Shaw
120 Cherokee Way
Boulder, CO 80303
(303) 554-5854
nshaw@uptownservices.com

 
I. Terms and Conditions
a. DEFAULT: In case of default by the contractor, the City of Wilson may procure the articles or services from other sources and hold the contractor responsible for any excess cost occasioned thereby.
b. GOVERNMENTAL RESTRICTIONS: In the event any Governmental restrictions are imposed which necessitate alteration of the material, quality, workmanship or performance of the items prior to delivery, it shall be the responsibility of the contractor to notify, in writing, the issuing purchasing office at once, indicating the specific regulation, which required such alterations. The City of Wilson reserves the right to accept any such alterations, including any price adjustments occasioned thereby, or to cancel the contract.
c. AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS: Any and all payments to the contractor are dependent upon and subject to the availability of funds to the City for the purpose set forth in this agreement.
d. TAXES: Any applicable taxes shall be invoiced as a separate item. The City is not exempt from local or North Carolina sales tax.
e. SITUS: The place of this contract, its situs and forum, shall be North Carolina, where all matters, whether sounding in contract or tort, relating to its validity, construction, interpretation and enforcement shall be determined.
f. GOVERNING LAWS: This contract is made under and shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of North Carolina.
g. INSPECTION AT CONTRACTOR’S SITE: The City of Wilson reserves the right to inspect, at a reasonable time, the equipment/item, plant or other facilities of a prospective contractor prior to contract award, and during the contract term as necessary for the City of Wilson’s determination that such equipment/item, plant or other facilities conform with the specifications/requirements and are adequate and suitable for the proper and effective performance of the contract.
h. PAYMENT TERMS: Payment terms are Net 30 after receipt of correct invoice or acceptance of goods, whichever is later.
i. AFFIRMATIVE ACTION: The contractor will take affirmative action in complying with all Federal and State requirements concerning fair employment and employment of the handicapped, and concerning the treatment of all employees without regard to discrimination by reason of race, color, religion, sex, national origin or physical handicap.
j. CONDITION AND PACKAGING: Unless otherwise provided by special terms and conditions or specifications, it is understood and agreed that any item offered or shipped has not been sold or used for any purpose and shall be in first class condition. All containers/packaging shall be suitable for handling, storage or shipment.
k. STANDARDS: All manufactured items and/or fabricated assemblies subject to operation under pressure, operation by connection to an electric source, or operation involving a connection to a manufactured, natural, or LP gas source shall be constructed and approved in a manner acceptable to the appropriate state inspector which customarily requires the label or reexamination listing or identification marking of the appropriate safety standard organization; such as the American Society of Mechanical Engineers for pressure vessels; the Underwriter’s Laboratories and / or National Electrical Manufacturers’ Association for electrically operated assemblies; or the American Gas Association for gas operated assemblies, where such approvals of listings have been established for the type of device offered and furnished. Further, all items furnished shall meet all requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), and state and federal requirements relating to clean air and water pollution.
l. PATENT: The contractor shall hold and save the City of Wilson, its officers, agents and employees, harmless from liability of any kind, including costs and expenses, on account of any copyrighted material, patented or unpatented invention, articles, device or appliance manufactured or used in the performance of this contract, including use by the government.
m. ADVERTISING: Contractor agrees not to use the existence of this contract, or the name of the City of Wilson as part of any commercial advertisement.
n. ACCESS TO PERSONS AND RECORDS: An independent auditor shall have access to persons and records as a result of all contracts or grants entered into by the City of Wilson in accordance with General Statute 147-64.7.
o. ASSIGNMENT: No assignment of the contractor’s obligations nor the contractor’s right to receive payment hereunder shall be permitted. However, upon written request approved by the issuing purchasing authority and solely as a convenience to the contractor, the City of Wilson may:
i. Forward the contractor’s payment check directly to any person or entity designated by the contractor, and
ii. Include any person or entity designated by contractor as a joint payee on the contractor’s payment check.
In no event shall such approval and action obligate the City of Wilson to anyone other than the contractor and the contractor shall remain responsible for fulfillment of all contract obligations.
p. INSURANCE:
COVERAGE- During the term of the contract, the contractor at its sole cost and expense shall provide commercial insurance of such type and with such terms and limits as may be reasonably associated with the contract. As a minimum, the contractor shall provide and maintain the following coverage and limits:
i. Worker’s Compensation- The contractor shall provide and maintain Worker’s Compensation Insurance, as required by the laws of North Carolina, as well as employer’s liability coverage with minimum limits of $150,000.00, covering all of contractor’s employees who are engaged in any work under the contract. If any work is sublet, the contractor shall require the subcontractor to provide the same coverage for any of his employees engaged in any work under the contract.
ii. Commercial General Liability- General Liability Coverage on a Comprehensive Broad Form on an occurrence basis in the minimum amount of $500,000.00 Combined Single Limit. (Defense cost shall be in excess of the limit of the liability.)
iii. Automobile-Automobile Liability Insurance, to include liability coverage, covering all owned, hired, and non-owned vehicles, used in connection with the contract. The minimum combined single limit shall be $150,000.00 uninsured/under insured motorist; and $1,000.00 medical payment.
REQUIREMENTS: Providing and maintaining adequate insurance coverage is a material obligation of the contractor and is of the essence of this contract. All such insurance shall meet all laws of the State of North Carolina. Such insurance coverage shall be obtained from companies that are authorized to provide such coverage and that are authorized by the Commissioner of Insurance to do business in North Carolina. The contractor shall at all times comply with terms of such insurance policies, and all requirements of the insurer under any such insurance policies, except as they may conflict with existing North Carolina laws or this contract. The limits of coverage under each insurance policy maintained by the contractor shall not be interpreted as limiting the contractor’s liability and obligations under the contract.
q. CANCELLATION (TERM CONTRACTS ONLY): All contract obligations shall prevail for at least 180 days after the effective date of the contract. After that period, in addition to the provisions of the paragraph entitled Price Adjustments, for the protection of both parties, this contract may be canceled in whole or in part by either party giving 30 days prior notice in writing to the other party. Such notice of cancellation, as required herein, shall be transmitted via U.S. MAIL, Certified, and Return Receipt Requested. The 30 days notice for cancellation shall begin on the day the return receipt is signed and dated.
r. QUANTITIES (TERM CONTRACT ONLY): The award of a term contract neither implies nor guarantees any minimum or maximum purchases thereunder.
s. PRICE ADJUSTMENTS (TERM CONTRACT ONLY): Any price changes, downward or upward, which might be permitted during the contract period must be general, either by reason of market change or on the part of the contractor to other customers.
i. Notification: Must be given to the Purchasing Department, in writing, concerning any proposed price adjustments. Such notification shall be accompanied by copy of manufacturer’s official notice or other acceptable evidence that the change is general in nature.
ii. Decreases: The City of Wilson shall receive full proportionate benefit immediately at any time during the contract period.
iii. Increases: All prices shall be firm against increase for 180 days from the effective date of the contract. After this period, a request for increase may be submitted with the City of Wilson reserving the right to reject the increase, or cancel the contract. Such action by the City of Wilson shall occur not later than 15 days after the receipt by the City of Wilson of a properly documented request for price increase. Any increases accepted shall become effective not later than 30 days after the expiration of the original 15 days reserved to evaluate the request for increase.
iv. Invoices: It is understood and agreed that orders will be shipped at the established contract prices in effect on dates orders are placed. Invoicing at variance with this provision will subject the contract to cancellation. Applicable North Carolina sales tax shall be invoiced as a separate item.
II. Instructions to Bidders
a. Bids shall be directed in a sealed envelope to the Purchasing Manager, City of Wilson, Operation Center, 1800 Herring Avenue, Wilson, North Carolina 27894. Bid proposals will consist of four proposals. The envelope should be plainly marked with the bid number, date and time of bid opening and name of bid. It shall be the responsibility of the bidder to ensure that his/her bid is received by the Purchasing Manager by the time stated herein. Late bids will not be considered.
b. Bids must be valid for a minimum of ninety (90) days from date of bid opening.
c. All equipment, materials or apparatus furnished under these specifications shall be new (unless otherwise specified) and free from all defects, and shall operate and function properly after delivery to the City. Each bidder shall submit with his/her proposal the manufacturer’s specifications, illustrations and descriptive literature on the equipment, materials or apparatus not yet in production or out of production for more than thirty (30) days.
d. Do not submit alternates unless requested to do so. If alternate bids are requested, the envelope(s) must be clearly marked “primary bid” and “alternate bid”.
e. Every part and accessory of a standard unit shall automatically be included and become a part of these minimum specifications.
f. References to brand or trade names are normally included to more accurately describe the requirements of the City of Wilson when it is impossible or impractical to specify the required performance and design characteristics for such materials. They are used only to set forth and convey to bidders the general style, type, character, and quality of product desired. Alternate materials, items, or equipment of equal or equivalent design shall be submitted to the City Engineer or other responsible party for approval or disapproval prior to the opening of the bids.
g. By signing the bid proposal, the Bidder proclaims that the proposal is made without any understanding, agreement or connection with any other person, firm or corporation offering a proposal for the same purpose and that his/her proposal is in all respects fair and without collusion or fraud.
h. All bids and proposals for furnishing equipment, materials or apparatus in accordance with the specifications prescribed by the City of Wilson will continue to be on file in the office of the Purchasing Manager at the Operation Center, 1800 Herring Ave., Wilson, North Carolina and are available for inspection during regular working hours.
i. Bid Bond:
NORTH CAROLINA STATE LAW (G.S. 143-129) REQUIRES THAT ALL BIDS BE ACCOMPANIED BY A BID DEPOSIT. (Please note carefully)
No proposal totaling $90,000 or greater shall be considered or accepted unless at the time of its filing the same shall be accompanied by a deposit in cash, cashier’s check or certified check on same bank or trust company insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation in an amount of not less than five percent (5%) of the proposal. In lieu of making a cash deposit, bidders may file a bid bond duly executed by a cooperate surety licensed under the laws of North Carolina to execute such bonds.
This deposit may be retained by the City of Wilson if the successful bidder fails to execute the bid obligation or fails to give satisfactory surety as required herein.
Money orders, uncertified checks, etc., are not acceptable as bid deposits.
Unsigned bids and bids with incorrect bid deposits cannot be considered.
Bid deposits of unsuccessful bidders will be returned as soon as the contract is awarded.
j. Award of Bid:
1. Bids shall be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder, taking into consideration adherence to specifications, quality, performance, the time of delivery, technical support, past performance and other relevant factors.
2. All bids of $90,000 or more require City Council approval. The Council normally meets officially at 7:00 P.M., the third Thursday of each month. Bidders may attend any of the sessions.
3. The City of Wilson reserves the right to evaluate bids, to reject any and all bids and proposals, to waive informalities and technicalities within the scope of authority, and further specifically, the City reserves the right to make the award in the best interest of the City of Wilson.
4. It is City policy to furnish a bid tabulation to all bidders upon notification of award or upon returning bid deposits. All bidders are welcome to attend the bid openings, which are normally conducted in the Purchasing Manager’s office, Operations Center, 1800 Herring Ave., Wilson, North Carolina. Bid tabulations will be available after all technical reviews have been completed.
k. Taxes:
Do not include sales or federal excise tax in figures. The City pays all applicable sales tax, however, and should be invoiced accordingly. The City is exempt from Federal Excise tax and will issue a Federal Exemption certificate upon request
l. Escalation Clauses:
Bids containing escalation clauses may be considered. However, there must be a maximum figure for escalation shown, or a method of computing the total cost over a specific time period provided.
m. Prices: All prices must be quoted F.O.B. City of Wilson Warehouse 1800 Herring Avenue, Wilson, North Carolina.
n. Payment: Provision for the payment of the monies to fall due under this agreement has been made by appropriations duly made, or required by the Local Government Finance Act.
Payment will be made according to vendor’s terms stated on invoices following receipt of goods.
o. Altering Contracts:
No such contract shall be altered except by written agreement (change order) of the contractor, the sureties on his bond and the City Council body of the City of Wilson.
p. Non-Discrimination Clause:
It is specifically agreed as part of the consideration of the signing of this contract, that the parties hereto, their agents, officials, employees, or servants will not discriminate in any manner on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, or gender with reference to the subject matter of this contract.
Enforcement of this provision, as set out in said ordinances, shall be action for specific performance, injunctive relief, or other remedy as provided by law. This provision shall be binding on the successors and assign, of the parties hereto with reference to the subject matter of this contract.
The City of Wilson is in compliance with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964m as amended, and Section 122(A) of the State and Local Fiscal Assistance Act of 1972, and hereby issued the declaration that bid award is contingent upon bidder’s compliance with aforementioned statutes.
q. N.C. General Statue 143-129 governs purchasing in the state. Bids are awarded according to its provisions.
r. The General Statutes of the State of North Carolina, the Charter of the City of Wilson, and City Ordinances, insofar as they apply to purchasing and competitive bidding, are made a part hereof.
s. All bids, except those for supplies or materials, shall be accompanied by a certificate showing possession by bidder of Workman’s Compensation for their employees.

III. Project Description
The City of Wilson, North Carolina (City) is seeking proposals from a qualified supplier to provide the necessary hardware, software and integration services for a fully functional “Advanced Metering Infrastructure Systems” pilot project.
The City currently operates electric, gas and water utilities and intends to deploy advanced metering infrastructure capabilities for up to 500 residential electric, gas and water accounts. The City anticipates that all electric meters involved in the pilot project will be replaced, but expects to be able to use the existing gas and water meters in the new AMI system. The final scope of meter replacements will depend upon the cost of the options proposed in response to this RFP. Where possible, proposals should seek to minimize replacement of existing physical assets.
The City also intends to deploy load control and energy management capabilities enabled by devices such as two way addressable relays and programmable communicating thermostats (PCTs) for participants in the pilot project.
Respondents may propose an electric only solution, gas and water solution or a solution for all three services. Responses proposing solutions for all three services are preferred. Single vendor solutions for Electric, Gas and Water services are preferred. All responses must provide for seamless integration and operation with the City’s existing Sungard utility billing system.
IV. Project Schedule
The general schedule for the project is currently expected to be as follows:
• Issue RFP Document – June 17th 2010
• Proposals due – July 9th, 2010
• Selection process completed – July 30th, 2010
• System Implementation – TBD

A. Notice of Intent to Submit
All further information related to this BID will be sent to those parties that have submitted a notice of intent to submit. Interested parties are required to email their notice of intent to submit, which must include applicable contact information and email address, to Richard Williams at the address listed in the following section. Submitting a notice of intent to submit a proposal does not obligate any party to actually submit a proposal.
B. Questions
Technical questions regarding this Bid should be directed to:
Neil Shaw
Uptown Services, LLC
Phone - (303) 554-5854
Email – nshaw@uptownservices.com


Procedural questions regarding this Bid should be directed to:
Richard Williams
P.O. BOX 10
1800 EAST HERRING AVENUE
WILSON, NORTH CAROLINA 27894-0010
(252) 399-2405
rwilliams@wilsonnc.org

All questions must be written and will receive a written response that will be sent to all interested respondents who have submitted a notice of intent to submit. Questions may be received and sent by email and will be accepted up to June 21st, 2010.
 
V. Content of Proposals
All proposals shall include as a minimum the following information.
A. Name and address of firm
B. Name and telephone number of contact person
C. Names and addresses of all partners, officers, and directors and any other person with an ownership interest greater than 5%.
D. Names and vitae of all professionals who will be assigned to work on the project including any registrations and numbers.
E. List of similar projects including brief project description, location, number of units deployed by type, date, name of owner, and name of owner's representative for which services were provided during the last three years. Identify projects as completed or underway.
F. Company information should also include disclosures of any bankruptcy or liens placed against the respondents within the last five years. Additionally, information should be included on whether the company is Cash Flow Positive and, if not; a brief discussion on the adequacy of existing funding to reach positive cash flow should be included. If privately funded, list acquired financing including but not limited to:
• The number of financing rounds attained to date;
• Investors of each round and contribution;
• Description of any plans to acquire future financing.

G. Description of the general and specific skills which the firm has available and which will be applied to the project.
H. Description of reference architecture for the proposed electric, gas and water metering system including detailed specification documentation for each system component to be provided under the terms of the given proposal.
I. Point by point response to the requirements and questions listed in Section V.A. and/or Section VIII.B. of this RFP Document.
J. Detailed cost proposal that clearly identifies the cost of all required hardware, software and services for the proposed system. Proposals must include all required hardware, software, back office systems, integration services, installation services, training and ongoing support to be responsive to this Bid.
K. If a joint venture Proposal, provide the above information for all parties to the joint venture.
L. List other information which will document the Respondent’s capabilities and qualifications for the project.
VI. Utility System Overview
A. General City Characteristics
The City of Wilson is located in Wilson County in the state of North Carolina. As of July 2008, the City had a population of 48,433 and a median household income of $35,770. The total land area for the City is 29.6 square miles with a population density of 1636 people per square mile. The City provides electric, gas, water and broadband services in the City. The City currently maintain approximately 17,440 electric meters, 22,017 water meters and 12,599 gas meters. The City has also installed a comprehensive fiber to the premises (FTTP) system. The FTTP network supports a triple play broadband enterprise that provides video, Internet and phone services to residential and commercial customers throughout the City. This system will serve as the primary backhaul network for the new AMI infrastructure.
B. Asset Inventory
1. Electric Meters
The following tables provide a summary of the electric meters by account type and meter specifications:
Meter Manufacturer Class Form Quantity
Westinghouse – 5787 10 – 150 2S 14,795
GE- 6711 20- 540 4S/A 559
ABB- 3873 100- 250 5S/A 205
Elster- 1311 200- 16,500 6S/A 192
9S/A 169
10S/A 496
14S/A 287
15S/A 315
16S/A 422
Total 17,440

Table 1.0 – Electric Meter Census

 
2. Water Meters
The following table provides a summary of the water meters by manufacturer:
Manufacturer Visual Read RTR Pulse ADE Digital
Sensus 17,449 0 300
Neptune 600 0 0
Badger 0 2,000 1,500
Master 100 0 0
Precision 0 68 0
Total Meters 18,149 2,068 1,800
Table 2.0 – Water Meter Census
Note: Approximately 2,000 Badger meters have pulse type registers (RTR) and are compatible with the City’s current “ride by” radio read system.
3. Gas Meters
The following table provides a summary of the gas meters:
Model / Type Quantity
AC 250’s 11,000
AC 360’s 350
AL 425’s 350
AL 600’s 150
AL 675’s 60
Al 800’s 150
AL 1000’s 200
AL 1400’s 175
AL 2300’s 12
AL 5000’s 2
Roots rotary meters 25
American GT-4 turbine’s 10
Odd manufactures of 250 size meters 115
Total Meters 12,599
Table 3.0 – Gas Meter Census
Note: AL & AC are AMERICAN Meter, the odd ones are LANCASTER & SPRAGUE meters.
4. Greenlight Fiber Optic Network
The City operates a Citywide FTTP system under the name Greenlight. This fiber optic system passes every home and business in the City limits and has the capacity to provide backhaul functionality for the new AMI system. Respondents should assume the availability of 10/100BaseT ports at any meter location in the City.
5. Back Office Systems
The City of Wilson currently uses Sungard Public Sector’s utility billing system. The Sungard product manages all meter data as well as billing and customer records. Meter reading is currently done via Itron handheld and Badger ride-by systems that upload meter reads to the Sungard system for billing purposes.

VII. Project Scope
The scope of this RFP includes ALL hardware, software, integration services and ongoing support required to implement the following applications and capabilities:
• Electric, gas and water AMI
• Direct load control and energy management
The City intends to equip up to 500 electric, gas and water meters with the latest AMI capabilities that would be connected over the Greenlight FTTP network to the City’s utility operations center. The City expects to replace all electric meters included in the project, but would prefer to utilize existing meters for all water and gas meter locations.
This deployment would be for the purpose of carrying out meter reading operations and to support more advanced energy management and utility operations applications such as customer energy portal, direct load control and demand side management.
VIII. System Requirements
Respondents must verify or explain how their proposed solution(s) will meet the City’s requirements. Please provide all responses immediately following each question or requirement in the following sections.
A. Electric AMI Requirements
The following requirements and questions are related to the deployment of AMI capability for all electric meters:
• Provide list of supported electric meters as of the proposal submittal date;
• Specify the physical AMI implementation approach for each supported meter (i.e. stand alone circuit board under glass, integrated module on meter main circuit board, meter socket adapter, etc.);
• Specify configuration options available to support remote disconnect of electric service;
• Describe how the proposed hardware and systems are used by City staff to complete each disconnect and reconnect of electric service;
• The City intends to deploy load control relays, in home displays (IHDs), programmable communicating thermostats (PCTs) and other devices at customer locations in the future. Zigbee (IEEE 802.15.4 compliant) is one possible approach the City is considering for communicating with these devices from the new AMI system. Discuss the proposed approach for Zigbee integration at each customer location for the purpose of supporting two way communications with the aforementioned devices;
• For Zigbee based approaches, please specify whether this capability can be selectively deployed over time as more customers adopt the advanced services that require Zigbee capability. For example, if the City deploys a base meter from the Respondent without Zigbee, what is the process to upgrade the given meter location to provide Zigbee capability?
• Specify all applicable wireless interfaces used by AMI capable meter or interface module including applicable standards, effective throughput, frequency usage, RF power and encryption;
• Specify planning assumptions for wireless range from AMI meter to in home devices (basement and main floor), AMI meter to collector and AMI meter to AMI meter;
• Specify temperature rating for AMI meter components being proposed;
• Specify input powering requirements and power consumption;
• Specify minimum interval period supported (i.e. 60 minute, 30 minute, 15 minute or less);
• Specify memory limits for the proposed solution (i.e. 100 days of 15 minute interval readings);
• Specify all functionality offered by the proposed AMI meter solution including but not limited to scheduled and on-demand meter reading, event logging, remote meter programming, demand and load profile recording, power quality monitoring, tamper detection, meter registration, data encryption, over the air firmware upgrades, time of use data retrieval, demand resets and compliance with ANSI standards C12.19 and C12.22 for data storage and network data acquisition and routing;
• Specify support system capabilities provided and describe the process of configuring, administering, monitoring and managing AMI meters provided as part of this system;
• Describe how the proposed system will support the current billing process being used by the City including the file exchange between the AMI system and the Sungard billing system;
• Identify any support systems required to manage AMI meters that ARE NOT provided in the Respondent’s proposal;
• Describe the typical process that City staff would follow to configure the proposed AMI meter before and after it has been installed at the customer location;
• Devices must support remote firmware upgrades over the network;
• AMI meters and/or modules must support automatic clock synchronization with the host software with no more than one minute of drift allowed at any time;
• Include discussion of any applicable product roadmap plans for this component of the proposed AMI solution.

B. Water AMI Requirements
The following requirements and questions are related to the deployment of AMI capability for all water meters:
• Provide list of supported water meters as of the proposal submittal date;
• Specify the physical AMI implementation approach/options for each supported meter/register/encoder;
• Specify the battery life and any applicable warranty for the proposed solution;
• Describe the process that City personnel would follow for replacing dead batteries in the water AMI system (battery replacement vs. AMI unit replacement);
• Specify all applicable wireless interfaces used by water AMI system including applicable wireless standards, effective throughput, frequency usage, RF power and encryption;
• Describe the process used by the water AMI system to send information from the water meter to the City’s back office systems. Include a discussion of how other metering end points are utilized, the type of wireless communication used (mesh vs. point to point), how information is stored at each meter and intermediate points in the backhaul network, the ability to complete on demand reads and the process of detecting leaks.
• Specify planning assumptions for wireless range from AMI equipped water meter to any other device that it is capable of communicating with it (water meters, gas meters, electric meters and/or AMI collectors);
• Specify temperature rating for AMI meter components being proposed;
• Specify input powering requirements and power consumption;
• Specify minimum interval period supported (i.e. 60 minute, 30 minute, 15 minute or less);
• Specify memory limits for the proposed solution (i.e. 100 days of 15 minute interval readings);
• Specify the added capabilities offered by the proposed water AMI system that would be of interest to the City (e.g. leak detection).
• Specify support system capabilities provided and describe the process of configuring, administering, monitoring and managing AMI meters provided as part of this system;
• Describe how the proposed system will support the current billing process being used by the City including the file exchange between the AMI system and the Sungard billing system;
• Identify any support systems required to manage AMI meters that ARE NOT provided in the Respondent’s proposal;
• Describe the typical process that City staff would follow to configure the proposed AMI meter before and after it has been installed at the customer location;
• Devices must support remote firmware upgrades over the network;
• AMI meters and/or modules must support automatic clock synchronization with the host software with no more than one minute of drift allowed at any time;
• Include discussion of any applicable product roadmap plans for this component of the proposed AMI solution.

C. Gas AMI Requirements
The following requirements and questions are related to the deployment of AMI capability for all gas meters:
• Provide list of supported gas meters as of the proposal submittal date;
• Specify the physical AMI implementation approach/options for each supported meter/register/encoder;
• Specify the battery life and any applicable warranty for the proposed solution;
• Describe the process that City personnel would follow for replacing dead batteries in the gas AMI system (battery replacement vs. AMI unit replacement);
• Specify all applicable wireless interfaces used by gas AMI system including applicable wireless standards, effective throughput, frequency usage, RF power and encryption;
• Describe the process used by the gas AMI system to send information from the gas meter to the City’s back office systems. Include a discussion of how other metering end points are utilized, the type of wireless communication used (mesh vs. point to point), how information is stored at each meter and intermediate points in the backhaul network, the ability to complete on demand reads and the process of detecting leaks;
• Specify planning assumptions for wireless range from AMI equipped gas meter to any other device that it is capable of communicating with it (water meters, gas meters, electric meters and/or AMI collectors);
• Specify temperature rating for AMI meter components being proposed;
• Specify input powering requirements and power consumption;
• Specify minimum interval period supported (i.e. 60 minute, 30 minute, 15 minute or less);
• Specify memory limits for the proposed solution (i.e. 100 days of 15 minute interval readings);
• Specify the added capabilities offered by the proposed gas AMI system that would be of interest to the City;
• Specify support system capabilities provided and describe the process of configuring, administering, monitoring and managing AMI meters provided as part of this system;
• Describe how the proposed system will support the current billing process being used by the City including the file exchange between the AMI system and the Sungard billing system;
• Identify any support systems required to manage AMI meters that ARE NOT provided in the Respondent’s proposal;
• Describe the typical process that City staff would follow to configure the proposed AMI meter before and after it has been installed at the customer location;
• Devices must support remote firmware upgrades over the network;
• AMI meters and/or modules must support automatic clock synchronization with the host software with no more than one minute of drift allowed at any time;
• Include discussion of any applicable product roadmap plans for this component of the proposed AMI solution.

D. AMI Backhaul Network Requirements
The City understands that there are a number of different backhaul approaches in use for AMI systems. However, systems that leverage the City’s FTTP system the best will be preferred over those that do not. This preference will favor micro-cellular versus macro-cellular approaches to AMI backhaul. For the purposes of this project, Respondents should assume the capability to install an optical network terminal (ONT) providing at least one 10/100BaseT port at any customer location in the system.
The following requirements and questions are related to the proposed AMI backhaul solution:
• Under glass or stand alone configuration is required for the proposed AMI backhaul solution, meter collar solutions will not be considered;
• Specify interfaces offered at each backhaul network element. The City requires at least one 10/100 Base t interface at each WAN interconnect point;
• Specify all applicable wireless interfaces used by backhaul network elements including applicable standards, effective throughput, frequency usage, RF power and encryption;
• Specify planning assumptions for wireless range from the backhaul system to all system end points including electric meters, water meters and any in-home devices such as IHDs, PCTs or load control relays
• Specify temperature rating for all applicable backhaul network element configurations;
• Specify effective bandwidth per meter available with proposed solution;
• Specify the recommended upgrade strategy and associated cost to increase the effective bandwidth per meter (e.g. addition of more WAN interconnect points);
• Specify input powering requirements and power consumption;
• Specify the maximum number of devices (meters, relays, PCTs, etc.) that each WAN interconnect and all subtending collectors are capable of supporting based on the need to process either 15 minute, 60 minute or 24 hour interval data from each customer location. Detail the assumptions used to derive each ratio;
• Specify support system capabilities provided and describe the process of configuring, administering, monitoring and managing these systems;
• Describe the proposed two-way integration with the City’s existing billing platform. Pricing proposals are required to include this integration effort;
• Identify any support systems required to manage these devices that ARE NOT provided in the Respondent’s proposal;
• Describe the typical process that City staff would follow to configure the proposed backhaul network elements before and after they have been installed in the network;
• Devices must support remote firmware upgrades over the network;
• Include discussion of any applicable product roadmap plans for this component of the proposed AMI solution.

E. Water Heater Relay Requirements
The City plans to deploy two-way addressable water heater control relays throughout the Greenlight service area. The following requirements are related to the deployment of these devices:
• Relays must be 2 pole rated for 240V / 30A load and be capable of operating in a basement environment;
• Relays must have a proven track record of supporting electric water heater applications;
• Specify the recommended wiring configuration for a typical electric water heater installation;
• Zigbee wireless mesh (IEEE 802.15.4 compliant) interface desired;
• Specify RF power level options;
• Specify external antenna or corded antenna options;
• Specify planning assumptions for wireless range from relay in a basement to collector outside the dwelling;
• Specify support system capabilities provided and describe the process of configuring, administering, monitoring and managing these devices;
• Identify any support systems required to carry out load control functions for electric water heaters that ARE NOT provided in the Respondent’s proposal;
• Describe the typical process that City staff would follow to configure the proposed relay before and after it has been installed at the customer location;
• Devices must support remote firmware upgrades over the network;
• Include discussion of any applicable product roadmap plans for this component of the proposed smart relay solution.

F. Programmable Communicating Thermostat (PCT) Requirements
The City plans to deploy PCTs throughout the Greenlight service area. The following requirements are related to the deployment of these devices:
• Specify the recommended wiring configuration for a typical PCT installation;
• Zigbee wireless mesh (IEEE 802.15.4 compliant) interface desired;
• PCTs must have capability to send pricing signals to customers using green, yellow and red LEDs (minimum) or through the short messages that would appear on main PCT display;
• Specify messaging capabilities for each PCT alternative and describe the process for sending messages to individual customers or groups of customers, including the entire population;
• Specify user override functionality during load control events;
• Describe the City processes involved in a load control event;
• Describe the customer experience in a load control event, including the process for a customer to override City control of their PCT;
• Will PCT allow a customer to store different profiles (i.e., temperatures and setbacks) that would automatically be initiated during certain real time or critical pricing events that might be enacted by Wilson Energy in the future?
• Will the PCT be capable of controlling central air conditioning, heating AND heat pump systems?
• Specify RF power level options;
• Specify external antenna or corded antenna options;
• Specify planning assumptions for wireless range from PCT on main floor of a dwelling to collector outside the dwelling;
• Specify how system supports multiple PCTs in a single dwelling
• Specify support system capabilities provided and describe the process of configuring, administering, monitoring and managing these devices;
• Identify any support systems required to manage PCTs that ARE NOT provided in the Respondent’s proposal;
• Describe the typical process that City staff would follow to configure the proposed PCT before and after it has been installed at the customer location;
• Devices must support remote firmware upgrades over the network;
• PCTs must support automatic clock synchronization with the host software with no more than one minute of drift allowed at any time;
• Include discussion of any applicable product roadmap plans for this component of the proposed energy management solution.

G. Customer Portal Requirements
The City plans to provide a feature rich portal to all participating customers. The purpose of this portal will be to provide the customer with important information related to their utility usage and events that impact their utility experience. The following requirements are related to the customer portal:
• Capability to configure multiple PCTs online;
• Monitor multiple PCTs settings online;
• Monitor load control relay status;
• Open interface offering the capability to add and remove features (e.g. “gadgets”) without significant development or intervention on the part of the supplier;
• Pass through or display web presentment capabilities of existing billing system;
• Display current energy usage in easy to understand graphical interface;
• Model cost of current and cumulative usage since last billing run;

H. Future and Optional Capabilities
Respondents are encouraged to provide feature and functionality information related to product offerings and solutions that could be used to meet the following future requirements for the City AMI system:
• Distribution automation applications including switch and capacitor back controls;
• Grid monitoring, outage detection and outage management such that the City may monitor the overall transmission quality and continuity of the grid and provide electronic reporting of degradation, interruptions and failures that may be discovered;
• Other advanced home area network applications like light switch controls, advanced appliance monitoring and controls, and integration of renewable energy sources.

I. Interoperability and Cyber Security Requirements
Respondents should describe their technical approach to addressing interoperability including:
• A summary of the information exchange interfaces for communicating automation devices and systems (i.e., their points of connection with other elements of the system).
• A summary of how the proposed solution will provide openly available and proprietary aspects of the interface specifications, and how existing (legacy) communicating devices or systems will be integrated into the project.
• A summary of how the proposed solution will address response to failure and device upgrade scenarios, such that overall system impact is mitigated.
• A summary of how the proposed solution will support compatibility with NIST’s emerging smart grid framework for standards and protocols.

Respondents should describe their technical approach to cyber security for the proposed solution including:

• A summary of the cyber security risks and how they will be mitigated at each stage of the solution’s lifecycle (focusing on vulnerabilities and impact).
• A summary of the relevant cyber security standards and/or best practices that will be followed.
• A summary of how the proposed solution will support emerging smart grid cyber security standards.

J. Project Management and Installation Services
The following requirements and questions are related to the services to be provided by the successful respondent:
• Describe the project management approach to be employed for the proposed project;
• Describe the process to be used for AMI module installations at all gas and water meter locations assuming that the successful respondent will be responsible for notifying all customers before any service interruptions;
• Describe the process to be used for electric meter replacements at the customer location, assuming that the successful respondent will be responsible for notifying all customers before any power interruptions;
• Describe the process for installation of all backhaul network elements required for the proposed system;
• Describe the process for testing the new AMI system for the first set of meters and as meters are added over the course of the following months;
• Describe the process for completing the required two-way integration between the new AMI system and the City’s billing system;
• Describe the quality control methods and procedures to be employed at all levels of the project;
• Describe training to be provided and timing for that training;
• Provide a preliminary schedule for the turnkey project based on a start date of 7/1/2010.

 
IX. Pricing Proposal
A. AMI System
Line Item Description
Electric AMI • Unit pricing (hardware) to implement AMI capabilities for the meters listed in Table 1;
• Include new meter and/or meter module;
• Base meter/module should include Zigbee capability;
• Remote disconnect capability should be listed as an upgrade option.
Water AMI • Unit pricing (hardware) to implement AMI capabilities for the meters listed in Table 2;
• Include the cost of the AMI module required based on the existing register/encoder specified in Table 2;
• Water meter replacement is not in the scope of this Bid.
Gas AMI • Unit pricing (hardware) to implement AMI capabilities for the meters listed in Table 3;
• Include the cost of the AMI module required based on the existing meter type specified in Table 3;
• Gas meter replacement is not in the scope of this Bid.
Load Control and PCTs • Unit pricing (hardware) for proposed load control relay(s);
• Unit pricing (hardware) for proposed PCT(s);
• Provide pricing for quantities of 500, 1,000, 5,000, 10,000 and 15,000 units each for relays and PCTs.
Backhaul Network • Unit pricing for all proposed hardware components of the proposed backhaul solution;
• Specify wired versus wireless backhaul nodes;
• Provide pricing for battery backup upgrades if available;
• Quantities should be based on the respondent’s network design for the backhaul network;
• Assume that the City will provide all required Ethernet backhaul connections for the proposed system design.
Back Office Systems • Pricing for all respondent licenses required to operate the proposed systems;
• Pricing for all third party licenses required to operate the proposed systems;
• Pricing for computer hardware platform required to support proposed back office systems.

B. Project Management and Installation Services
Line Item Description
Project Management Pricing for all proposed project management services.
Back Office Integration Pricing for two-way integration with the Sungard billing system.
Backhaul Network Installation Unit pricing for installation of all backhaul network components.
Electric Meter and/or Meter Module Installation Unit pricing for the installation of AMI capabilities for all electric meter locations (meter replacement dependent on the respondent’s approach/requirements).
Water Meter Module Installation Unit pricing for the installation of AMI modules for all water meter locations.
Gas Meter Module Installation Unit pricing for the installation of AMI modules for all gas meter locations.

C. Other Expenses
Line Item Description
Training Pricing for all training that is not included in the base price of the proposed system.
Support and Maintenance Detailed pricing for all support and/or maintenance services offered for proposed the system.
Travel Travel costs not included in the base services pricing for the proposed system.

Attachments:
2010-02 addendum.doc
2010-02 addendum.pdf

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