TO: Board of County Commissioners
THROUGH: John A. Titkanich, Jr., County Administrator
Sean C. Lieske, Director of Utility Services
Howard G. Richards, PE, Manager - Capital Projects
FROM: Paola Talavera, Associate Engineer
DATE: November 18, 2025
SUBJECT: Data Flow Systems (DFS) Telemetry Control Unit (TC0001) Trade-in
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BACKGROUND
Data Flow Systems (DFS) provides Indian River County (IRC) with Lift Station Monitoring and Control Solutions. IRC Department of Utility Services (IRCDUS) currently has approximately 270 telemetry control units (TC0001), including those installed at lift stations and additional spare units in inventory.
The TC0001 has now been retired, and IRCDUS needs to transition to the updated telemetry control units (TCU800). The TCU800 is a direct plug-and-play replacement for the TC0001, requiring minimal time and resources to upgrade in the field. In consideration of our long-standing relationship, and the capital planning and expenditures of upgrading, DFS is providing trade-up and quantity discounts for this upgrade equivalent to 32% off Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP). DFS can commit to providing this discount percentage over the upgrade cycle to provide a meaningful discount from each year's stated MSRP.
This proposal is based on Data Flow's established 'Trade-up Program'. This program allows an organization to upgrade at a discounted price to the latest pump controller, driving better performance, improved efficiency, and enhanced pump maintenance and management capabilities. Additional discounts over a multi-year period are being provided in consideration of the number of units IRCDUS will be upgrading over the next few years.
ANALYSIS
Upgrading to the TCU800 will deliver the latest technology with feature enhancements and be the most economic approach, both short-term and long-term, when looking at the total cost of ownership.
DFS is providing trade-in discounts for this upgrade, equivalent to 32% off MSRP through December 31, 2028. The cost to upgrade each unit is $6,054, less a 32% discount ($1,937), plus shipping and additional hardware ($523), for a total unit cost of $4,640. IRCDUS will phase the trade-in units through three years (90 per year), which is an annual cost of $544,860.
BUDGETARY IMPACT
Funding, in the amount of $544,860, is budgeted and available in the Utilities/Wastewater Collection/Lift Station Maintenance account, number 47126836-044670. Funding for the remaining 180 units, or $1,089,720, will be budgeted in Fiscal Year 2026/2027 and Fiscal Year 2027/2028.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT
Infrastructure: Planning, constructing, managing, and maintaining critical public infrastructure in response to our current needs, future demands, and the expectations of our community; embracing innovation, technology, and resiliency.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommended Action
Staff recommends the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) authorize the trade-in of the 270 Telemetry Control Units (TC0001) over three years. Staff also recommends that the BCC authorize the Procurement Manager to issue Purchase Orders for the replacement telemetry control units, TCU800.