REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS ADVANCED METERING INFRASTRUCTURE (AMI) SYSTEM Integrated Water Metering and Existing Electric Meter Reading System

Description: Issue Date: October 19, 2026 Pre-Proposal Meeting: November 3, 2026, at 10:00 AM Location: Granite Falls Council Chambers Questions Due: November 9, 2026 Proposal Due Date and Time: November 20, 2026, at 3:00 PM Contract Award: TBD 1. NOTICE TO PROPOSERS The Town of Granite Falls, North Carolina (the "Town"), is soliciting proposals from qualified firms to provide a complete, integrated Advanced Metering Infrastructure ("AMI") system for the Town's water and electric utilities. The Town intends to select a single prime contractor/vendor capable of providing the AMI communications infrastructure, network design, meter data collection system, software, integration with the Town's existing utility billing system, water meter endpoints and/or registers, installation services, GPS location of water meters, training, testing, commissioning, and ongoing support. The proposed system shall provide the Town with a single AMI reading platform capable of collecting and managing data from both the Town's water meters and the Town's existing Itron electric meters. Existing electric meters are not included for replacement under this project. The Town currently has approximately: x 2,715 electric meters x 2,836 water meters Approximately 600-700 of the Town's existing Itron electric meters have been identified as AMI-compatible. The successful proposer shall evaluate and identify the equipment, communications technology, modules, and configuration necessary to incorporate the existing compatible Itron meters into the proposed AMI system. The Town's water meter inventory consists primarily of Neptune T-10 meter bodies, although other manufacturers and models are present. The Town intends to maximize the useful life of existing compatible water meter bodies by installing compatible AMI registers and/or endpoints where technically feasible and cost-effective. The Town recognizes that available project funding may not be sufficient to convert or replace all 2,836 water meters during the initial project. Accordingly, this RFP requires detailed unit pricing and phased implementation options. 2. TOWN OBJECTIVES The primary objectives of this project are to: 1. Establish a Town-wide AMI communications infrastructure capable of supporting both water and electric meter data collection. 2. Provide a single AMI reading platform for the Town's water meters and existing compatible Itron electric meters. 3. Integrate the AMI system with the Town's existing Tyler ERP Pro 10 utility billing system. 4. Convert the Town's water metering system to AMI technology. 5. Maximize the useful service life of existing water meter bodies where technically and economically appropriate. 6. Install AMI registers/endpoints on existing Neptune T-10 and other compatible water meter bodies where reliable operation can be demonstrated. 7. Avoid replacement of existing Itron electric meters. 8. Provide reliable communications coverage throughout the Town's service area. 9. Evaluate the Town's three existing water tanks for potential use as locations for AMI collectors, gateways, antennas, or related communications equipment. 10. Establish accurate GPS coordinates for water meter locations. 11. Reduce or eliminate the Town's reliance on manual monthly meter reading. 12. Provide reliable meter data for billing, customer service, leak detection, and utility operations. 13. Provide appropriate training for Town personnel. 14. Establish a scalable AMI platform capable of supporting future system expansion. 15. SINGLE-VENDOR / SINGLE-POINT-OF- RESPONSIBILITY REQUIREMENT The Town intends to contract with a single prime vendor/contractor for the complete AMI solution. The prime contractor shall be responsible for coordinating and integrating all major components necessary to provide a fully operational system, including: x AMI communications infrastructure; x Collectors, gateways, repeaters, antennas, and related equipment; x Water meter AMI registers/endpoints; x Integration with existing compatible Itron electric meters; x AMI head-end software; x Meter data collection and management; x Tyler ERP Pro 10 integration; x Installation services; x GPS location and inventory data; x System configuration and programming; x Testing and commissioning; x Training; x Documentation; x Warranty; x Technical support; x Maintenance; and x Ongoing system support. Subcontractors may be utilized; however, the prime contractor shall retain full responsibility for the performance, integration, compatibility, installation, testing, and operation of the complete system. The Town should not be required to coordinate multiple independent vendors in order to establish or maintain the AMI system. 16. EXISTING UTILITY METERING ENVIRONMENT 4.1 Electric Metering The Town currently has approximately 2,715 electric meters. Approximately 600-700 existing Itron electric meters have been identified as AMI-compatible. Existing electric meters shall remain in service and are not included for replacement under this project. Proposers shall identify: x Compatible Itron meter models; x Required AMI modules or equipment; x Required communications equipment; x Required programming/configuration; x Available meter data; x Any required adapters or interfaces; x Any limitations associated with existing meters; and x Any existing Itron meters that cannot be incorporated into the proposed system. 4.2 Water Metering The Town currently has approximately 2,836 water meters. Meter Size Quantity 3/4" 2,693 1" 49 2" 76 3" 3 4" 2 6" 11 8" 1 12" 1 Total 2,836 The majority of the Town's water meter bodies are Neptune T-10 meters; however, the inventory includes other manufacturers and models. The Town desires to retain existing water meter bodies where technically feasible, accurate, reliable, and cost-effective. Proposers shall evaluate the existing water meter environment and identify: x Compatible Neptune T-10 meter bodies; x Other compatible meter bodies; x Retrofit/register options; x Endpoint-only options; x Complete replacement requirements; x Meter body age and condition considerations; x Accuracy limitations; x Compatibility limitations; and x Recommended replacement criteria. 5. PROJECT PHASING The Town anticipates implementation in the following general phases. Phases may be adjusted, or combined per the proposers project plan. Phase 1 - System Design and Propagation Study The successful proposer shall: x Conduct a project kickoff; x Review existing utility infrastructure; x Review available Town mapping and meter information; x Evaluate existing Itron electric meters; x Evaluate existing water meter bodies; x Conduct a communications propagation study; x Determine required collectors, gateways, repeaters, and antennas; x Evaluate the Town's three water tanks; x Develop the proposed system architecture; x Identify system gaps or compatibility issues; and x Develop a detailed implementation plan. No full water meter deployment shall begin until the Town has reviewed and approved the proposed system design and propagation study. Phase 2 - AMI Communications Infrastructure The contractor shall furnish and install the required communications infrastructure, including, as applicable: x Collectors; x Gateways; x Repeaters; x Antennas; x Network equipment; x Power equipment; x Mounting equipment; x Backhaul equipment; x Communications equipment; x Head-end infrastructure; and x Related software. The final quantity and location of equipment shall be based on the approved propagation study. Phase 3 - Software and Billing Integration The contractor shall complete integration with the Town's Tyler ERP Pro 10 utility billing system. Integration shall include: x Data mapping; x Meter/account mapping; x Endpoint/customer mapping; x Automated read transfer; x Interval data, where applicable; x Error and failed-read reporting; x Billing validation; x Testing; and x Final implementation. The Town shall not be responsible for developing the required AMI-to-Tyler interface. Phase 4 - Training Training shall be provided to appropriate Town personnel before final system acceptance. Phase 5 - Water Meter Deployment Water meter deployment shall occur after the communications infrastructure, software, billing integration, and related systems have been substantially established and tested. Water meters shall be retrofitted or replaced based upon compatibility, condition, reliability, pricing, and available funding. Phase 6 - System Acceptance The Town shall conduct final acceptance testing before the system is considered fully operational and accepted. 6. WATER METER CONVERSION AND INSTALLATION The successful contractor shall provide all labor, equipment, materials, programming, installation, testing, and services necessary to convert or replace water meters included within the authorized project scope. Work may include: x Removal of existing registers; x Installation of AMI registers; x Installation of endpoints; x Installation of complete replacement meters; x Couplings; x Adapters; x Service piping modifications; x Programming; x Meter identification; x Testing; x GPS location; x Meter box inspection; x Meter lid modifications; x Restoration of disturbed areas; and x Required documentation. The proposal shall provide separate unit pricing for: 1. Existing meter body retrofit/register conversion; and 2. Complete meter replacement. 7. METER BOX LIDS AND ANTENNAS The contractor shall drill meter box lids as required to accommodate AMI endpoint antennas. The contractor shall: x Determine appropriate antenna location; x Drill and modify lids as required; x Install and secure antennas; x Maintain required clearance; x Protect antennas from damage; x Maintain watertight/weather-resistant conditions where applicable; x Repair or replace lids damaged by contractor activities; and x Identify special meter box conditions requiring alternate installation methods. All contractor-caused damage to meter boxes, lids, or related facilities shall be repaired by the contractor at no additional cost to the Town. 8. GPS METER LOCATION The contractor shall obtain GPS coordinates for each water meter installed, converted, or otherwise included within the project scope. The GPS inventory shall include, at minimum: x Customer/account number; x Service address; x Meter number; x Endpoint ID; x Manufacturer; x Meter model; x Meter size; x Installation date, where available; x Meter type; x Retrofit/replacement status; x Latitude; x Longitude; and x Other information reasonably required by the Town. The resulting electronic inventory shall be provided in a format compatible with the Town's GIS and utility billing systems. The proposer shall identify the expected GPS accuracy of the proposed collection method. 9. PROPAGATION STUDY AND COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK The successful proposer shall perform a comprehensive AMI communications propagation study. The study shall consider, at minimum: x Terrain; x Buildings; x Utility infrastructure; x Existing communications infrastructure; x Meter locations; x Antenna locations; x RF signal strength; x Endpoint reliability; x Communications redundancy; x Collector/gateway locations; x Network architecture; and x Other relevant factors. The study shall specifically evaluate the Town's three existing water tanks as potential AMI communications sites. The evaluation shall identify, as applicable: x Antenna requirements; x Mounting requirements; x Electrical requirements; x Backhaul requirements; x Grounding; x Lightning protection; x Access requirements; x Structural considerations; and x Required improvements. The Town reserves the right to approve or reject proposed installations on Town water tanks. The final propagation study shall include maps identifying recommended equipment locations and expected coverage. 10. EXISTING NEPTUNE METER BODY RETENTION The Town strongly prefers retention of existing water meter bodies where technically feasible and cost-effective. The proposer shall evaluate existing Neptune T-10 meter bodies and other existing water meter bodies for compatibility with the proposed AMI system. The proposal shall distinguish between: x Complete meter replacement; x Register-only replacement; x Endpoint-only installation; x Adapter-based conversion; and x Other retrofit options. The proposer shall identify limitations related to: x Meter age; x Meter model; x Meter condition; x Accuracy; x Register compatibility; x Endpoint compatibility; x Manufacturer support; and x Expected remaining useful life. The Town may elect to retain existing meter bodies and install compatible AMI registers/endpoints when the proposer demonstrates that the resulting system will provide reliable and accurate operation. 11. WATER METER SPECIFICATIONS Any new water meters proposed shall: x Be new and unused; x Be suitable for potable water service; x Comply with applicable AWWA standards; x Be approved for potable water use; x Be compatible with the proposed AMI system; x Meet applicable accuracy requirements; x Be appropriate for the Town's existing service connections; and x Be supported by the manufacturer for the proposed application. The proposer shall identify: x Manufacturer; x Model; x Construction; x Warranty; x Accuracy; x AMI compatibility; x Available register/endpoint options; and x Applicable service connection requirements. Proposers shall specifically address the larger meter sizes included in the Town's inventory. 12. AMI SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS The proposed AMI system shall provide, at minimum: x Automated meter reading; x Remote data collection; x Two-way communications where available; x Endpoint communication status; x Low-battery notifications; x Tamper notifications; x Leak detection capabilities; x Continuous-flow detection; x Historical consumption; x Interval consumption where available; x Customer/account association; x Failed-read and exception reporting; x Data export; x User access controls; x Administrative functions; x Audit capabilities; x Reporting; and x Tyler ERP integration. Proposers shall clearly identify which capabilities are included in the base proposal and which are optional. 13. LEAK DETECTION AND CUSTOMER SERVICE The AMI system shall provide tools to assist the Town in identifying potential leaks and abnormal consumption. The system shall, where supported by the proposed equipment, provide: x Continuous-flow monitoring; x Unusual consumption detection; x Configurable thresholds; x Leak alerts; x Staff notifications; x Consumption history; x Customer consumption information; and x Tools to assist Town personnel in investigating potential leaks. The proposer shall explain how leak detection works and identify any limitations or additional costs. 14. ELECTRIC METER INTEGRATION The proposed AMI system shall integrate with the Town's existing Itron electric meters without requiring replacement of those meters. The proposer shall demonstrate experience integrating existing Itron electric meters into its proposed AMI platform. The proposal shall identify: x Compatible Itron meter models; x Compatible communication modules; x Required equipment; x Communications method; x Data collection method; x Available meter data; x User interface; x Tyler ERP Pro 10 integration, where applicable; x Limitations; and x Any meters that cannot be supported. 15. TYLER ERP Pro 10 INTEGRATION The successful proposer shall provide complete integration between the AMI system and the Town's Tyler ERP utility billing system. The proposer shall identify: x Previous Tyler ERP integration experience; x Available interfaces; x APIs; x File-based interfaces; x Data transfer frequency; x Account synchronization; x Meter synchronization; x Endpoint synchronization; x Consumption transfer; x Validation procedures; x Exception handling; x Security; x Interface maintenance; and x Responsibility for ongoing interface support. The proposer shall clearly identify any Tyler-related licenses, fees, interfaces, third-party services, or other costs. 16. TRAINING The successful proposer shall provide training for appropriate Town personnel. Training shall include, as applicable: x Field personnel; x Billing personnel; x Administrative personnel; x Management personnel; and x System administrators. Training shall address system operation, reporting, troubleshooting, meter management, leak detection, user administration, and other functions necessary for effective operation. Training materials shall be provided to the Town. 17. DATA OWNERSHIP AND ACCESS All meter data generated by the Town's AMI system shall be owned by the Town. The Town shall have reasonable and ongoing access to its data. The proposer shall identify: x Data ownership; x Data storage; x Data retention; x Backup procedures; x Data export capabilities; x Disaster recovery; x Data recovery; x Data portability; and x Procedures for returning Town data upon termination of services. 18. CYBERSECURITY The proposed system shall incorporate appropriate cybersecurity practices. The proposal shall address: x User authentication; x Access controls; x Encryption; x Network security; x Data security; x Cloud security, where applicable; x Backup; x Disaster recovery; x Monitoring; x Incident response; x Software patching; x Vulnerability management; and x Security certifications, where applicable. The Town may request additional cybersecurity documentation from proposers. 19. IMPLEMENTATION RESPONSIBILITY The successful proposer shall provide a dedicated project manager responsible for coordinating the complete project. The project manager shall coordinate: x Project kickoff; x Propagation study; x System design; x Equipment procurement; x Communications installation; x Software implementation; x Tyler ERP Pro 10 integration; x Training; x Testing; x Water meter installation; x GPS data collection; x System commissioning; x Punch-list completion; and x Final acceptance. The Town shall have a single point of contact for project coordination. 18. PHASED FUNDING AND METER QUANTITIES The Town recognizes that available funding may not be sufficient to convert or replace all 2,836 water meters during the initial project. The proposer shall therefore provide detailed unit pricing that allows the Town to adjust quantities based upon available funding. 19. REQUIRED BID ALTERNATES AND UNIT PRICING The proposer shall provide the following unit prices by meter size for existing body retrofit/register conversion and complete meter replacement. Unit prices shall include all materials, labor, programming, installation, testing, commissioning, and other costs necessary to provide the proposed service. The proposer shall identify meter sizes or existing meter bodies for which retrofit is unavailable. 22. REQUIRED PRICING The proposal shall include pricing for, at minimum: 1. Complete replacement water meter unit pricing by size; 2. Existing meter body retrofit/register unit pricing by size; 3. AMI endpoints; 4. Software integration and training; 5. Required AMI infrastructure, including collectors, antennas, and gateways; 6. Water meter installation; 7. Additional installation charges, including meter lid modifications; 8. GPS, photographs, data transfer, and documentation; 9. Annual recurring fees; and 10. Project management. All mandatory costs shall be disclosed. 23. OPTIONAL PRICING Proposers may provide separate pricing for optional services, including customer web portal, mobile applications, advanced leak detection, remote shutoff, advanced analytics, additional reporting, additional collectors, additional endpoints, future meter installations, additional training, extended warranty, additional support services, and other recommended services. 24. PROPOSER QUALIFICATIONS Proposers shall provide information demonstrating their qualifications, including company history, years in business, AMI operating systems currently supported, municipal customers, similar project experience, water AMI experience, existing electric meter integration experience, Itron integration experience, Neptune integration experience, Tyler ERP experience, project management experience, installation capabilities, technical support capabilities, and financial stability. 25. REFERENCES Proposers shall provide a minimum of three comparable AMI project references. At least one reference shall involve municipal water AMI, integrated water and electric AMI, or integration with existing electric meters. Each reference shall include customer name, contact person, contact information, project size, number of meters, completion date, and description of services provided. 26. SYSTEM DEMONSTRATION The Town may require shortlisted proposers to conduct a system demonstration covering water meter data, existing Itron electric meter data, network communications, diagnostics, leak detection, historical consumption, alerts, GIS/GPS information, Tyler ERP Pro 10 integration, user administration, reporting, and data export. 27. PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS Proposals shall include, at minimum: cover letter; company information; executive summary; understanding of the project; proposed system architecture; propagation methodology; communications network; water meter retrofit/replacement approach; Itron integration approach; Tyler ERP integration approach; installation approach; GPS/data collection plan; meter lid/antenna approach; implementation schedule; training plan; maintenance/support plan; cybersecurity information; data ownership/access information; qualifications; references; exceptions; detailed pricing; unit pricing; recurring costs; warranty information; and other information requested by this RFP. 28. IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE The proposer shall provide a detailed implementation schedule addressing notice to proceed, project kickoff, existing system evaluation, propagation study, system design, Town design approval, equipment procurement, communications installation, software implementation, Tyler ERP Pro 10 integration, system testing, training, water meter deployment, GPS data collection, system commissioning, and final acceptance. Proposers shall identify all anticipated long-lead items. 29. WARRANTY The proposer shall provide warranty information for AMI endpoints, registers, water meters, collectors, gateways, antennas, communications equipment, software, hardware, and other major system components. The proposal shall identify warranty duration and the party responsible for warranty service. 30. MAINTENANCE AND SUPPORT The successful proposer shall provide ongoing technical support and maintenance and identify emergency support, standard support response times, software updates, hardware replacement, network/system monitoring, preventive maintenance, hosting, communications fees, system maintenance, technical support, and other recurring costs. Proposers shall identify anticipated recurring costs for the first ten years of operation. 29. ACCEPTANCE TESTING The Town shall conduct acceptance testing before final acceptance. Testing may include communications coverage, collector operation, water endpoint operation, Itron electric meter integration, endpoint communication, Tyler ERP Pro 10 integration, meter reading accuracy, GPS data, leak detection, reporting, user access, data export, and other system functions. Deficiencies shall be corrected by the contractor at no additional cost to the Town. 30. CHANGE MANAGEMENT Changes to the approved project scope shall be documented and approved before implementation. Any change that materially affects cost, functionality, schedule, compatibility, performance, or system architecture shall require written approval by the Town before implementation. 31. PROPOSAL EXCEPTIONS Proposers shall clearly identify every exception to the requirements of this RFP. Failure to identify an exception may result in the Town considering the proposer to have accepted the applicable requirement. 34. TOWN RIGHTS The Town reserves the right to reject any or all proposals; waive minor irregularities; request clarification; request additional information; conduct interviews; require demonstrations; verify references; negotiate as permitted by North Carolina law; accept portions of a proposal; adjust quantities within the established scope; reject optional services; defer portions of the project based upon funding; select the proposal representing the best overall value to the Town; and take any other action permitted by applicable North Carolina law. 35. FUNDING The project may be funded through a combination of Town funds, grant funds, and other authorized funding sources. The Town anticipates that implementation may occur in phases based upon available funding. The Town does not guarantee that all anticipated water meters will be purchased, converted, or installed during the initial project phase. 36. GENERAL CONDITIONS The successful proposer shall comply with all applicable federal, North Carolina, and local laws, regulations, ordinances, building codes, electrical codes, permitting requirements, and licensing requirements. The contractor shall comply with applicable Town safety requirements and shall coordinate work to minimize utility interruptions and impacts to Town customers. 37. PROPOSAL FORM A. BASE SYSTEM PRICE - propagation study, system design, AMI communications infrastructure, AMI head-end/software, Itron electric meter integration, Tyler ERP Pro 10 integration, initial training, project management, testing/commissioning, base system total. B. WATER METER DEPLOYMENT - Water meter deployment priced using unit prices provided; Town will determine final quantities. C. RECURRING COSTS - software licensing, cloud hosting, communications/network fees, system maintenance, technical support, Tyler interface maintenance, other recurring costs. D. OPTIONAL SERVICES - separately identified and priced. E. TOTAL INITIAL PROJECT PRICE - Base system total, water meter deployment, other required costs, total initial project price. 38. CERTIFICATION The undersigned certifies that the proposal has been examined and prepared in accordance with the requirements of this RFP; the proposer understands the requirements of the project; all exceptions have been identified; all pricing is complete and accurate; all recurring costs have been disclosed; all required third-party services have been identified; the proposer understands that the Town requires a single integrated system for water and existing Itron electric meter reading; existing Itron electric meters are not to be replaced under this project; existing compatible water meter bodies are to be considered for retrofit; and the proposal includes all services necessary to provide a complete operational system. 39. REQUIRED ATTACHMENTS Proposers shall submit two (2) hard copies and one (1) digital copy. Proposals shall be delivered to: Town of Granite Falls Town Hall 30 Park Square Granite Falls, North Carolina The proposal shall include: cover letter; company qualifications; project team; references; technical proposal; system architecture; Itron compatibility information; water meter compatibility information; propagation methodology; Tyler ERP Pro 10 integration plan; GPS/data collection plan; installation methodology; training plan; cybersecurity information; warranty information; maintenance/support plan; implementation schedule; pricing; unit pricing; exceptions; required North Carolina certifications; signed proposal certification; and any other forms or information required by the Town. 52. TOWN CONTACT Town of Granite Falls Director of Public Utilities Email: Eric.williams@granitefallsnc.gov All questions regarding this RFP shall be submitted in writing by the stated question deadline. Only written responses issued by the Town shall constitute official interpretations or clarifications of this RFP.