Special Purchase - Midwest Meter - Extend Prices to Replace Meters with Compatible Meters as necessary

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Badger Meter Compatibility Indiana Code 5-22-10-8 allows a purchasing agent to make a special purchase when the compatibility of equipment, accessories or replacement parts is a substantial consideration in the purchase and only one source meets the City's reasonable requirements. We request the Board to approve the purchase of Badger Water Meters as a Special Purchase under IC 5-22-10-8 as justified below. In 2007, the City of South Bend implemented a meter change out program. The goal of the program was to change out all manual read water meters to an automated meter reading system. The meter reading system chosen by South Bend Water was the Badger Water Meter Drive -by System. The 43,000 water meters in South Bend are virtually all Badger meters. To replace the Badger water meter drive -by system with a different manufacturer would require additional hardware and software. A different type of water meter would require ancillary investments on hardware and training of City of South Bend Water Operations personnel. This would incur additional costs to the City. All current Water Works operations personnel are trained and familiar with the Badger Meter hardware. The city does not have any current hardware or software from other manufacturers. Installation of different water meters would result in additional modifications to maintain compatibility. All current Water Works operations personnel have received training and have extensive experience with the Badger Water Meter Drive -By System. City staff is not trained or experienced maintaining other manufacturer's systems. The entire water meter program will require a bid in the near future. Until then, the Badger meter system is the best option for the City of South Bend Utilities. I certify the above information is true to the best of my knowledge. Scott Horvath Assistant Director of Distribution