1989-07-05 Special Called Meeting

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CITY OF LA PORTE INTER -OFFICE MEMORANDUM TO: Robert T. Herrera, City Manager FROM: Jeff Litchfield, Director of Financ DATE: June 21, 1989 SUBJECT: Meter Reading Devices On May 22, 1989, Requests for Proposals (# 0026) for an electronic meter reading system were opened. Proposals were received from eight (0) vendors, which were: Ad Valorem Records, Inc., BTR Water Measurement, Inc., Datamatic, Inc., Itron, Network Computing Corporation, Porta-Printer Systems, Inc., Radix Corporation, and Schlumberger Water and Gas Group The scope of this project is to provide a meter reading system that utilizes hand-held devices that are carried into the field by the meter reader. The meter reader can enter the reading directly into the device, which in turn is electronically transferred directly into the computerized billing file. The system proposed is in accordance with the Management Information System (MIS) plan that was approved by Council on August 1, 1988. Presently, readings are written in books and then keypunched into the computer system. Advantages of the electronic system include the removal of the need to have the readings handled twice (written down, then keypunched), which will reduce the chance for transposing the read. The device also includes a series of reading checks which will reduce the number of readings that are recorded incorrectly, and they will provide for better monitoring and scheduling of routes. The proposals were delivered to Chip Collins of the Accord Group for his review and for him..to narrow the list down to a "short" list. Mr. Collins reviewed the proposals and determined that only one vendor met the requirements set out in the Requests for Proposal and that a short list would not be appropriate. I have attached a copy of his recommendation. The vendor meeting the requirements is Network Computing Corporation, which includes Itron Reading Devices.