Title
The Board of Water Commissioners for the City of Detroit, Water and Sewerage Department authorizes the Director to approve DWSD Contract 6007206 with TruePani, Inc., for Brita Tahoe or Pacifica water pitchers and Brita Elite filters; for a total contract amount not-to-exceed $257,600.00 and a term of two years. The BOWC also authorizes the Director to take such other action as may be necessary to accomplish the intent of this vote.
Body
Agenda of June 18, 2025
Item No.: 2025-121
Contract No.: 6007206
Contractor: TruePani Inc., 9041 Executive Park Dr. #125, Knoxville, TN 37923
Contract Amount: $257,600.00
Contact Term: 7/1/25 - 6/30/27 (2 years)
TO: The Honorable
Board of Water Commissioners
City of Detroit, Michigan
FROM: Gary Brown, Director
Water and Sewerage Department
RE: Proposed DWSD Contract 6007206
Brita water pitchers and filters
TruePani Inc
MOTION
Upon recommendation of Marqaicha Welch, Procurement Manager, the Board of Water Commissioners for the City of Detroit, Water and Sewerage Department authorizes the Director to approve DWSD Contract 6007206 with TruePani, Inc., for Brita Tahoe or Pacifica water pitchers and Brita Elite filters; for a total contract amount not-to-exceed $257,600.00 and a term of two years. The BOWC also authorizes the Director to take such other action as may be necessary to accomplish the intent of this vote.
BACKGROUND / JUSTIFICATION
DWSD services over 230,000 industrial and residential consumers in the City of Detroit and provides water pitchers and filters free of charge to residents when their water lines are being repaired, replaced and in the event of water emergencies. This ensures consumers have access to lead and contaminant free water. DWSD Warehouse operations orders and maintains adequate stock of the specified pitchers and filters at any given time. This contract will allow for the as-needed purchase of the Brita brand water pitchers and filters deemed as meets quality specifications per DWSD Engineering.
PROCUREMENT METHOD
This proposed contract was initiated through requisition #527652 and was approved by budget on xx/xx/xx. It was competitively solicited through a Request for Bids (RFB) #527652 and was advertised on the Michigan Inter-Governmental Trade Network (MITN) website for 21 calendar days. MITN published this opportunity to 200 companies and 37 firms downloaded the bid package. Three bids were received from Ferguson Waterworks, HD Supply Facilities and TruePani Inc. All vendors were determined to be responsible and responsive. DWSD chose the lowest total bid pricing. Based on this information, it is recommended that the contract be awarded to TruPani Inc.
See Bid Tab for the pricing summary.
• Ferguson Enterprises LLC $346,250.00
• HD Supply, Inc. $281,850.00
• TruPani Inc. $257,600.00
TruePani’s clearances are 5/22/26, and a formal contract document is not required as the standard terms and conditions apply.
SUMMARY
A. Contract No: 6007206
B. Contractor: TruePani Inc.
C. Contract Term: 7/1/2025 - 6/30/2027 (2 years)
D. Contract Amount: $257,600.00
E. Anticipated FY Spend: FY 25-26: $128,800.00
FY 26-27: $128,800.00
F. Funding Source: O&M Funds
G. GL String: 5720-00000-000000-150100-000000-00000-0000-000000- 100% Water
This proposed contract was presented to the BOWC Finance Committee on June 4, 2025. Per DWSD procurement protocol, no additional approvals are required.