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TO: Mayor John Laesch
FROM: Brian Katamay, Long Term Control Plan Project Assistant
DATE: January 26, 2026
SUBJECT:
A Resolution authorizing the Director of Purchasing to execute a three-year contract with M.E. Simpson Company, Inc. in the amount of $267,225 for water system leak detection services.
PURPOSE:
Public Works utilizes an acoustic leak detection program to find non-surfacing leaks in the water distribution system. By pinpointing leaks and estimating leak size, Public Works staff are able to prioritize water system repairs and reduce real water loss. The City's leak detection program consists of using acoustic listening devices on water system assets (e.g., hydrant valves and/or buffalo boxes/curb stops) to detect the acoustic signature of a water leak. Leak detection occurs on approximately one-third of the water system each year.
M.E. Simpson Company is a provider of this service and was selected through a competitive proposal process.
BACKGROUND:
The City has performed acoustic leak detection since 1980, with an official City program covering the entire water system every three years since 2016. Acoustic leak detection programs are recommended by the American Water Works Association as standard municipal water system practice. The City maintains over 800 miles of transmission and distribution pipes in the water system. Due to the large size of the system, the City splits system into three zones and leak detects one zone each year. Every three years the entire system is detected using acoustic devices. Selected vendors are also required to assist the City with emergency leak detection services or ensure water tightness for new and repaired water main.
The City released a request for proposals (RFP) for leak detection professional services on October 6th, 2025, with evaluations beginning on October 31st, 2025. Three submissions were received. A team of three reviewers from Public Works scored the proposals on firm experience, staff capabilities, technical approach, and adherence to the RFP, then independently reviewed the cost submissions from all three firms. M.E. Simpson Company was the highest scoring applicant and was awarded the contract.
DISCUSSION:
This contract will be funded under account 510-4063-511-38-47, which has $100,000 budgeted for 2026. This amount is sufficient for the 2026 portion of the contract. Exhibit A is the contract, terms & conditions, and technical approach. Exhibit B is the evaluation tabulation by the reviewers for the three submitted projects. Exhibit C shows the three leak detection areas to be inspected each year of the contract, continuing the order of inspection from previous years.
Public Works staff have worked with M.E. Simpson for emergency leak detection services and are confident in their ability to meet the needs of this project. Additional evaluation criteria were supplied in the request for proposals that included the ability to leak detect non-metallic pipe material (e.g. polyvinyl chloride, AKA PVC) and an emphasis on digital best practices to align with the Department's move towards digitization.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
Leak detection has minimal impact on traffic and requires no road closures. Traffic control is only needed if water system assets in the roadway need inspection.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
I recommend the proposed Resolution be adopted.
cc: Infrastructure and Technology Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
title
A Resolution authorizing the Director of Purchasing to execute a three-year contract with M.E. Simpson Company, Inc., in the amount of $267,225 for water system leak detection services.
body
WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, the City aims to reduce real losses occurring within the water distribution system by identifying leaks and infrastructure failures through a multi-year acoustic leak detection program;
WHEREAS, a request for proposals was released and three applications were submitted by vendors with M.E. Simpson Company, Inc., receiving the highest score from the selection committee,
WHEREAS, the lump sum costs for services, not including emergency call out services, are $85,410, $89,910, and $91,905 for the program years of 2026, 2027, and 2028, respectively,
WHEREAS, account 510-4063-511-38-47 has $100,000 is budgeted for 2026 which is sufficient for the lump sum work allocated to 2026.)
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: the Director of Purchasing is hereby authorized to execute a contract with M.E. Simpson Company, Inc., of Valparaiso, IN in the amount of $267,225 for a three year program beginning in 2026