Sole Source - Kupferle Water Solutions Flushing Buddy - Portable Intelligent Water Quality Monitoring Device

The City of Fort Myers intends to procure the Kupferle #9750i Flushing Buddy, a portable intelligent water quality monitoring device, through a sole source contract with Fortiline, the authorized supplier of Kupferle Water Solutions. This procurement is justified under Florida State Statute 287.057(3)(c) based on the exclusive availability of the product, which uniquely integrates sensors for Pressure, Temperature, Free Chlorine, and Turbidity, tailored specifically for municipal water flushing operations. The device's proprietary technology and compatibility with existing city water systems preclude the existence of commercially available alternatives, thus eliminating the need for a competitive solicitation process. The City issued a sole source notice on July 24, 2025, inviting other potential suppliers to submit information by August 7, 2025, for consideration; however, submissions are intended solely to determine if a competitive procurement is warranted, not as formal bids or proposals. The contract action’s scope includes the purchase and delivery of the Kupferle #9750i unit to the City of Fort Myers Public Utilities Department, with acceptance and inspection conducted at the destination. The procurement process does not reference standard Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) clauses or detailed evaluation factors because the basis for award lies solely in product exclusivity and lack of alternatives. Contact for procurement oversight is provided through the City’s Purchasing Agent, with communications managed primarily via email submissions. Pricing, quantity, and detailed line-item data were not disclosed in the available documentation. The notice remains open for a 15-day period, reflecting compliance with statutory notification requirements, and the procedure includes a vendor questionnaire designed for potential competitors to assert capabilities if applicable. Overall, this sole source acquisition is narrowly focused on securing a specialized water quality monitoring device essential to the City’s water management infrastructure, leveraging statutory authority and supplier certification to streamline awarding without a formal competitive solicitation.