Water Meter Change Out Program Consultant SelectionTO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Water Meter Change Out Project Consulting
DATE: June 8, 2009
The City issued a Request for Proposal for a consultant for the construction and
procurement phase of the Water Meter Change Out Project. The RFP was distributed
to 27 firms (including all local engineering firms) and information was posted on the City
of Dubuque website. Only one proposal was received in response to the RFP.
After review of the proposal, Finance Director Ken TeKippe and Water Department
Manager Bob Green recommend City Council approval to hire HDR Engineering as the
City's consultant for the construction and procurement of the Water Meter Change Out
Project. HDR's proposed fee of $317,723 includes expenses and is 4.4% lower than
the $332,475 estimate.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
~~ _____
Michael C. Van Milligen
MCVM/jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, City Attorney
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Ken TeKippe, Finance Director
Bob Green, Water Department Manager
THE CITY OF ~~~ Dubuque
~T T~' ~ All-pmedcaCity
~,,,J ~
Masterpiece on the Mississippi,
Zoos
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Ken TeKippe, Finance Director j~
Bob Green, Water Department Manager_~
SUBJECT: Water Meter Change Out Project Consulting /
DATE: May 27, 2009
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this memorandum is to provide our recommendation to hire HDR
Engineering, Inc. as the consultant for the construction and procurement phase of the
Water Meter Change Out Project. HDR will partner with Water Accountability, LLC, a
firm formed by Tom Jakubowski, who worked for many years at HDR and on City of
Dubuque projects.
BACKGROUND
At the April 6, 2009, City Council meeting, authorization was given to proceed with this
phase of the project.
DISCUSSION
Requests for proposals were distributed to 27 firms and/or equipment vendors (includes
all local engineering firms) and information was posted in website. HDR Engineering of
Omaha, Nebraska, submitted the only proposal and it has been reviewed by the Water
Meter Change Out Project Committee.
Project committee members include:
Jenny Larson Budget Director
Ken TeKippe Finance Director
Jean Nachtman Assistant Finance Director
Rick Till Financial Analyst
Rose Hoerner Utility Billing Coordinator
Bob Green Water Department Manager
Mike Brekke Water Distribution Supervisor
Chris Kohlmann Information Services Manager
Joe Pregler Information Technology Specialist
After reviewing the proposal, the unanimous consensus of the committee was to retain
HDR for the project. Their proposed fee of $317,723 includes expenses and is 4.4%
lower than the projected $332,475 that was identified in the Water Meter Review and
Testing Phase II report. A copy of the HDR proposal is enclosed.
Major factors that contributed to the selection include:
^ Experience of firm and personnel assigned to project
^ Satisfaction with earlier phase reports, three projects
^ Knowledge of automated meter reading technology and trends
^ Detailed proposal
^ References
^ Previous work with other Iowa and Midwest cities
^ Fees in line with budget
^ Ability to partner with others
RECOMMEDED ACTION
We are recommending, with your authorization and support, that at the June 15, 2009
City Council meeting, the Council approves HDR as the City's consultant for the
construction and procurement of the Water Meter Change Out Project. Funds for this
project are budgeted in our Capital Improvement Program for fiscal years 2009 through
2012.
We are available at your convenience to discuss and answer any questions you may
have with this recommendation on the proposal. Your support and assistance is
appreciated.
Thank you.
KJT/jg
Enclosure