Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) System: Integrated Water Metering and Existing Electric Meter Reading System

Tracy Townsend (cid:16)(cid:131)(cid:155)(cid:145)(cid:148)(cid:3)*Ritch Bolick (cid:16)(cid:131)(cid:155)(cid:145)(cid:148)(cid:3)(cid:19)(cid:148)(cid:145)(cid:3)(cid:23)(cid:135)(cid:143)(cid:3)(cid:520)(cid:3)Daniel P. Cobb(cid:23)(cid:145)(cid:153)(cid:144)(cid:3)(cid:16)(cid:131)(cid:144)(cid:131)(cid:137)(cid:135)(cid:148)
Council Members(cid:13)(cid:131)(cid:143)(cid:139)(cid:135)(cid:3)(cid:11)(cid:131)(cid:137)(cid:135)(cid:148)(cid:150)(cid:155)(cid:3)(cid:520)(cid:3)(cid:15)(cid:131)(cid:148)(cid:148)(cid:155)(cid:3)(cid:14)(cid:144)(cid:139)(cid:137)(cid:138)(cid:150)(cid:3)(cid:520)(cid:3)(cid:13)(cid:139)(cid:143)(cid:3)(cid:16)(cid:131)(cid:133)(cid:141)(cid:139)(cid:135)(cid:3)(cid:520)(cid:3)(cid:16)(cid:139)(cid:141)(cid:135)(cid:3)(cid:16)(cid:131)(cid:133)(cid:141)(cid:139)(cid:135)(cid:3)(cid:520)(cid:3)(cid:16)(cid:131)(cid:148)(cid:150)(cid:139)(cid:144)(cid:3)(cid:7)(cid:484)(cid:3)(cid:23)(cid:145)(cid:153)(cid:144)(cid:149)(cid:135)(cid:144)(cid:134)
TOWN OF GRANITE FALLS, NORTH
CAROLINA
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
ADVANCED METERING INFRASTRUCTURE (AMI) SYSTEM
Integrated Water Metering and Existing Electric Meter Reading System
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.
P.O. Drawer 10 * Granite Falls, North Carolina 28630-0010 * Phone (828) 396-3131 * Fax (828) 396-3133
www.granitefallsnc.gov

The Town currently has approximately:
(cid:120) 2,715 electric meters
(cid:120) 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.
3. 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:
(cid:120) AMI communications infrastructure;
(cid:120) Collectors, gateways, repeaters, antennas, and related equipment;
(cid:120) Water meter AMI registers/endpoints;
(cid:120) Integration with existing compatible Itron electric meters;
(cid:120) AMI head-end software;
(cid:120) Meter data collection and management;
(cid:120) Tyler ERP Pro 10 integration;
(cid:120) Installation services;
(cid:120) GPS location and inventory data;
(cid:120) System configuration and programming;
(cid:120) Testing and commissioning;
(cid:120) Training;
(cid:120) Documentation;
(cid:120) Warranty;
(cid:120) Technical support;
(cid:120) Maintenance; and
(cid:120) 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.
4. 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:
(cid:120) Compatible Itron meter models;
(cid:120) Required AMI modules or equipment;
(cid:120) Required communications equipment;
(cid:120) Required programming/configuration;
(cid:120) Available meter data;
(cid:120) Any required adapters or interfaces;
(cid:120) Any limitations associated with existing meters; and
(cid:120) 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:

(cid:120) Compatible Neptune T-10 meter bodies;
(cid:120) Other compatible meter bodies;
(cid:120) Retrofit/register options;
(cid:120) Endpoint-only options;
(cid:120) Complete replacement requirements;
(cid:120) Meter body age and condition considerations;
(cid:120) Accuracy limitations;
(cid:120) Compatibility limitations; and
(cid:120) 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:
(cid:120) Conduct a project kickoff;
(cid:120) Review existing utility infrastructure;
(cid:120) Review available Town mapping and meter information;
(cid:120) Evaluate existing Itron electric meters;
(cid:120) Evaluate existing water meter bodies;
(cid:120) Conduct a communications propagation study;
(cid:120) Determine required collectors, gateways, repeaters, and antennas;
(cid:120) Evaluate the Town's three water tanks;
(cid:120) Develop the proposed system architecture;
(cid:120) Identify system gaps or compatibility issues; and
(cid:120) 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:
(cid:120) Collectors;
(cid:120) Gateways;
(cid:120) Repeaters;

(cid:120) Antennas;
(cid:120) Network equipment;
(cid:120) Power equipment;
(cid:120) Mounting equipment;
(cid:120) Backhaul equipment;
(cid:120) Communications equipment;
(cid:120) Head-end infrastructure; and
(cid:120) 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:
(cid:120) Data mapping;
(cid:120) Meter/account mapping;
(cid:120) Endpoint/customer mapping;
(cid:120) Automated read transfer;
(cid:120) Interval data, where applicable;
(cid:120) Error and failed-read reporting;
(cid:120) Billing validation;
(cid:120) Testing; and
(cid:120) 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:
(cid:120) Removal of existing registers;
(cid:120) Installation of AMI registers;
(cid:120) Installation of endpoints;
(cid:120) Installation of complete replacement meters;
(cid:120) Couplings;
(cid:120) Adapters;
(cid:120) Service piping modifications;
(cid:120) Programming;
(cid:120) Meter identification;
(cid:120) Testing;
(cid:120) GPS location;
(cid:120) Meter box inspection;
(cid:120) Meter lid modifications;
(cid:120) Restoration of disturbed areas; and
(cid:120) 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:

(cid:120) Determine appropriate antenna location;
(cid:120) Drill and modify lids as required;
(cid:120) Install and secure antennas;
(cid:120) Maintain required clearance;
(cid:120) Protect antennas from damage;
(cid:120) Maintain watertight/weather-resistant conditions where applicable;
(cid:120) Repair or replace lids damaged by contractor activities; and
(cid:120) 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:
(cid:120) Customer/account number;
(cid:120) Service address;
(cid:120) Meter number;
(cid:120) Endpoint ID;
(cid:120) Manufacturer;
(cid:120) Meter model;
(cid:120) Meter size;
(cid:120) Installation date, where available;
(cid:120) Meter type;
(cid:120) Retrofit/replacement status;
(cid:120) Latitude;
(cid:120) Longitude; and
(cid:120) 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:
(cid:120) Terrain;
(cid:120) Buildings;
(cid:120) Utility infrastructure;
(cid:120) Existing communications infrastructure;
(cid:120) Meter locations;
(cid:120) Antenna locations;
(cid:120) RF signal strength;
(cid:120) Endpoint reliability;
(cid:120) Communications redundancy;
(cid:120) Collector/gateway locations;
(cid:120) Network architecture; and
(cid:120) 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:
(cid:120) Antenna requirements;
(cid:120) Mounting requirements;
(cid:120) Electrical requirements;
(cid:120) Backhaul requirements;
(cid:120) Grounding;
(cid:120) Lightning protection;
(cid:120) Access requirements;
(cid:120) Structural considerations; and
(cid:120) 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:
(cid:120) Complete meter replacement;
(cid:120) Register-only replacement;
(cid:120) Endpoint-only installation;
(cid:120) Adapter-based conversion; and
(cid:120) Other retrofit options.
The proposer shall identify limitations related to:
(cid:120) Meter age;
(cid:120) Meter model;
(cid:120) Meter condition;
(cid:120) Accuracy;
(cid:120) Register compatibility;
(cid:120) Endpoint compatibility;
(cid:120) Manufacturer support; and
(cid:120) 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:
(cid:120) Be new and unused;
(cid:120) Be suitable for potable water service;
(cid:120) Comply with applicable AWWA standards;
(cid:120) Be approved for potable water use;
(cid:120) Be compatible with the proposed AMI system;