Request for Information (RFI) for an Automated Water Metering Systems RFI Number: 13-035 Issue Date: October,

10, 2012 Due Date and Time: November 9, 2012, 10:00 A.M. (Local Time)
Purpose of Solicitation The City of Tempe is issuing a Request for Information (RFI) #13-035 to experienced firms specializing in automated water meter solutions. The purpose of this preliminary step of RFI is to more clearly define the Automated Meter Reading/Automated Metering Infrastructure (AMR/AMI) project. Once the Citys financial, customer service, software and distribution needs have been identified, a subsequent formal Request for Proposal will be issued upon approval of the project funding. Written responses to this RFI are due no later than the date identified above. Scope The purpose of this RFI is to identify qualified firms that can provide automated water meter solutions that will cost effectively maximize the read success rate, billing accuracy, optimize water-use efficiency and improve communication and responsiveness to rate payers/customers. The City intends to review all responses received and choose two (2) to four (4) firms to demo and fully test the solutions that appears to best meet the needs of the City. Each solution will be tested for approximately 180 to 210 days. The City anticipates that the demo and testing period will be at little or no cost to the City. Background The City has 831.6 miles of pipe serving approximately 43,000 service connections and meters for residential, commercial, industrial and landscape customers. Approximately 36,000 meters are small residential meters. The City currently utilizes Oracle CC&B utility billing system. The meters are read manually by Badger handhelds or touch readers using Badger Read Center software. The City has an active meter change out program and the current contract holder is Badger Meter and all meters installed have the ADE encoded registers. The AMR/AMI system selected shall integrate with the current interface and meter structure. RFI Communications/Inquiries Upon release of this RFI, all communications shall be directed in writing via Email to the Procurement Officer listed below. No other agency official or employee is empowered to speak for the Agencies with respect to this procurement. Unauthorized contact with any employee of any department within the City of Tempe may result in disqualification from the RFI process. Any oral communication will be considered unofficial and non-binding on the Agencies. All e-mail must contain the RFI number in the subject line. Contact the following individual for clarification of this RFI: Ted Stallings Procurement Officer Tempe Procurement Office ted_stallings@tempe.gov

Content of Your Response Responses are voluntary and shall not bind either the respondent or the City in any way. The City is not responsible for any costs incurred by the respondent to develop a response to this RFI. This RFI does not constitute a solicitation for bids or proposals. Interested firms should provide responses to the following questions and requests. The City welcomes any additional information that would help in the drafting of a formally RFP; however, responders should refrain from submitting general marketing information that does not help the City achieve the objectives of the RFI. Please submit responses to each question or request in the same order as they appear below. GENERAL INFORMATION: Contact Information - Please provide the following contact information: o Company Name o Address o Name of individual who will act as primary point of contact for inquiries o Contact Persons Telephone Number o Contact Persons Email Address Detailed literature and specifications for your firms solution that details functionality. TECHNICAL BRIEFING: Ability to retrieve meter data via drive by and handheld (close proximity or manual entry), as well as fixed network. Meter reading systems including handhelds your solution is 100% compatible with, users and locations. Billing systems your system is interfaced with, users and locations. Manufactures and models of meters your solution is 100% compatible with. Installation process, any requirements, cost associated with installation. Describe any transmitter programing that is required with your solution. Describe the features that are included with your solution to prevent meter and encoder receiver transmitter (ert) tampering. Describe any acoustic leak detection features your solution may offer. Describe data that can be gathered using your solution. Describe any temperature limitation that may affect your solutions. Describe erts water resistance. Describe standard alerts that your solution offers, such as no flow (zero consumption), tampering, low battery, reverse flow, leak detection, alerts automatically clear or reset once resolved. OTHER INFORMATION: Self-service options for our utility customers (self-monitoring, reporting tools available). List of standard reports and explain how reports can be customized, reporting tools available. Data storage and requirements of operating system(s). Please explain the process/procedure of complete system testing (network devices, AMI control computer, software, endpoint, installation procedures, overall system testing, etc.). Antenna/ert signal range through metal/plastic meter lids. Repeaters and other network devices. What is the communication range? Are there height requirements for the communication polls? Radio licenses; any licensing requirements. Portable interrogation, field programming and testing devices Describe training requirements for end users, technical staff, etc. Describe system support, costs associated with support services.

Describe guarantees and warranties for your solution. Include battery life and warranty for transmitters as well as collectors. Diagram how the drill down system works Diagram how the cascading system works Local technical support and response time. Please provide any additional information that your firm feels would assist the City in determining it future needs.

COST: Financial aid or grants available for testing purposes or purchase and implantation of system. For budgeting purposes, please provide estimated government pricing for your firms solution. Please make sure all costs are included. RFI pricing will not be released until after issuance and award of an RFP/Contract. Pricing estimate should be all-inclusive not to exceed and to include all cost such as hardware, software, installations, project management, etc. OPTIONAL INFORMATION: Client lists with an emphasis on city/county government

Submittal Requirements Respondents are to submit four (4) hard copy and one (1) USB Flash Drive containing a complete copy of their response to the City Procurement Office. The deadline for submittal of responses is November 9, 2012, 10:00 A.M. (local time). Responses must be submitted by a sealed envelope/package with the RFI number referenced and the respondents name and address clearly indicated on the outside. Responses must be mailed or delivered to: City of Tempe Procurement Office 20 E. Sixth Street, 2nd Floor Tempe, AZ 85281 All responders will be included in any future Requests for Proposals.