Item 12 - Production Meter Evaluation and Pilot Testing — original pdf

Backup

Item 12 Water & Wastewater Commission: April 15, 2026 Council: May 7, 2026 POSTING LANGUAGE: Recommend approval to authorize a contract for production meter evaluation and pilot testing for Austin Water with M.E. Simpson Company, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $150,000. Funding: $150,000 is available in the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Operating Budget of Austin Water. LEAD DEPARTMENT: Austin Financial Services FISCAL NOTE: Funding in the amount of $150,000 is available in the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Operating Budget of Austin Water. PROCUREMENT: Austin Financial Services issued an Invitation for Bids solicitation IFB 2200 KMF1036 for these services. The solicitation was published on January 18, 2026, and closed on February 24, 2026. The recommended contractor submitted the only responsive offer. A complete solicitation package, including a tabulation of the bid received, is available for viewing on the City’s website. This information can currently be found at https://financeonline.austintexas.gov/afo/account_services/solicitation/solicitation_details.cfm?sid=143647 MBE/WBE: This solicitation was reviewed for subcontracting opportunities in accordance with City Code Chapter 2-9B (Minority-Owned and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Procurement Program). For the services required for this solicitation, there were no subcontracting opportunities; therefore, no subcontracting goals were established. BOARD AND COMMISSION ACTION: April 15, 2026 - To be reviewed by the Austin Water and Wastewater Commission ADDITIONAL BACKUP INFORMATION (RCA BODY) The contract will provide water production meter evaluations and pitot testing at 34 flow-metering locations to verify meter accuracy and confirm the actual volume of water being introduced into the distribution system. Pitot testing is an effective method for determining and correcting wholesale and production meter accuracy. These production meters are located throughout the water treatment plants—including below-ground vaults, service pump stations, and large-diameter pipe galleries—many of which have limited personnel access. Assessments will be conducted at the Davis, Ullrich, and Handcox Water Treatment Plants. This contract is a new contract. Requested authorization is based on the bid received for the required services. If a contract is not approved, Austin Water will be unable to validate the accuracy of its production meters. This will impact Austin Water's ability to correct plant production measurements in support of accurately quantifying real water losses in the distribution system.