I’ve been teaming as a sub-consultant with several major consulting firms in developing requests for proposal (RFP) packages for mechanical and control upgrades for public water and wastewater facilities in recent months.

Winning vendors responding to these “RFP’s” will be aware that much of the decision on who is selected for the supply of these equipment projects will lay with the owner – since they will be “living with” the decision as to the specific vendor selected.

In my work with owners, these days, I find a preponderance of practical issues coming to fore and I thought it worth noting that these include:

1. Local service – and reputation for service prompt – 24-7 service by knowledgeable technical people.

2. Integration capabilities – with knowledge of both SCADA and mechanical equipment.

3. Ability to fit into future and possibly more complete/major upgrades.

4. The ability to demonstrate energy consumption reduction, which will attract Energy grant money and which will garner local support of the general populace, which is looking for leadership in environmental issues.

Finally, as we become more and more reliant on technology, it is ironic that a personal connection between buyer and seller has become even more important in getting the final nod – especially where the overall rating/selection looks to be “close.”

My son – now being a public water supply utility field manager – has told me….”Dad, there is nothing more important to me than the ability to contact a service company…when the water fails to come out of the customer’s spigot. Cost per hour is important, but personal reliability is the final decision maker.”

Don Voigt, P.E.

Systems Engineer

www.equipintegration.com

Phone:  (414) 940-9281