ADVERTISEMENT FOR QUALIFICATIONS   REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ) Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) System and Long-Term Operations & Maintenance City of Meridian, Mississippi   NOTICE is hereby given that the City of Meridian, Mississippi (the “City”) is soliciting Statements of Qualifications (SOQs) from qualified firms to provide a comprehensive Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) System and associated long-term operations and maintenance services for the City’s water utility system. The project generally includes the furnishing and installation of water meters and AMI endpoints, deployment of communications infrastructure, implementation of AMI software and Meter Data Management (MDM), system integration, testing and commissioning, training, and long-term system operation and support.   This RFQ is issued as the first step in a two-phase procurement process. Firms determined to be qualified through this RFQ process may be invited to participate in a subsequent Request for Proposals (RFP). Statements of Qualifications submitted in response to this RFQ shall not include pricing, cost estimates, or fee information.   Statements of Qualifications will be received by the City of Meridian at 601 23rd Avenue, Meridian, MS 39301, until Wednesday, August 26, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. (local time). SOQs may be submitted in hard copy or electronically as described in the RFQ Documents. SOQs received after the stated deadline will not be considered.   Questions regarding this RFQ shall be submitted no later than Thursday, August 13, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. (local time). Responses to questions will be issued by addendum as appropriate. Questions shall be submitted to the designated representative listed below in writing:   Isabelle Thelen, EI Waggoner Engineering 256.801.2821 Isabelle.Thelen@waggonereng.com   Copies of the RFQ Documents are on file and open to public inspection on the second floor in the Office of Finance and Records at the Meridian City Hall located at 601 23rd Avenue, Meridian, MS 39301. The RFQ Documents may be reviewed and obtained electronically through the City’s designated procurement distribution method as outlined below:   RFQ Documents are being made available via digital access at www.meridianmsbids.com. The RFQ package may be viewed at no cost or physically purchased on the website. Firms must register with a valid email address to access the RFQ Documents and to receive notifications of addenda and other updates. It is the responsibility of each Proposer to ensure that they are registered on the website and have obtained all available RFQ Documents and addenda prior to submitting a Statement of Qualifications. Firms that obtain RFQ Documents from any source other than the designated website do so at their own risk and may not receive complete or updated information.   All communications regarding this RFQ shall be directed solely to the designated representative listed above. To preserve the integrity of the procurement process, Proposers shall not contact City elected officials, staff, or evaluation committee members regarding this RFQ.   All SOQs must comply with the requirements of the RFQ Documents and applicable Mississippi laws. The City reserves the right to reject any or all SOQs, waive informalities, request clarifications, and determine which firms are qualified and in the City's best interest to invite to the RFP stage.   This Advertisement is published in accordance with applicable Mississippi procurement requirements. The RFQ will be published once each week for two (2) consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation.   July 1, 8, 2026 #12436113