City of Simi Valley
Staff Report
F
ebruary 23, 2026
To: Board of Directors, Ventura County Waterworks District No. 8 From: Public Works Department
Ron Fuchiwaki, Public Works Director
Subject: Authorization to waive the bidding process pursuant to the Simi Valley Municipal Code, award a contract to OW Investors LLC dba MARS Company for the MARS M3 Software subscription, and ratification of payment
Staff Recommendation
It is recommended that the Board of Directors:
1. Find that the MARS M3 Software subscription is necessary to maintain uniformity and compatibility with the Ventura County Waterworks District No. 8’s (District) existing water meter test bench and determine that OW Investors LLC dba MARS Company (MARS) is the sole source for this software; and,
2. Waive competitive bidding procedures set forth in Simi Valley Municipal Code Chapter 9 and award a contract (Attachment A) to MARS for the MARS M3 Software subscription in the amount of $56,406 for a five (5) year period; and,
3. Ratify a $16,125 payment previously made to MARS (Attachment B).
Background
When the District initially procured the water meter test bench from MARS in May 2018, the acquisition was conducted through a competitive process that resulted in the selection of MARS as the vendor. The test bench system provided by MARS is a fully integrated, computer‑operated unit with touch‑ screen controls, test protocol memory, and report‑generation capabilities. Its operation relies on MARS’s proprietary M3 software, which is designed specifically for this equipment and requires an ongoing subscription.
B
ecause the M3 software is the only software compatible with the District’s existing MARS‑manufactured water meter test bench, MARS is now the sole provider capable of supplying the required software subscription. As a result, while competitive bidding occurred during the original acquisition, the current software subscription is necessarily a sole‑source procurement due to the proprietary nature of the M3 system and its exclusive compatibility with the test bench.
T
he District has subscribed to the M3 software for the past eight years , with a total expenditure of $71,447. In accordance with the Simi Valley Municipal Code (SVMC) Section 2- 9.110(a), the five -year contracting limit has been reached, and future subscriptions require Board approval.
Agenda Item No.
Consent (4)
Discussion
On March 10, 2025, the District received a proposal from MARS for $16,125 to extend the M3 software subscription for an additional year. Staff processed the payment, but purchasing flagged it due to the contracting limits established in the SVMC. To avoid a lapse in service while a staff report was being prepared for Board consideration, the District Manager authorized staff on October 9, 2025, to process the payment, pending Board ratification.
On November 14, 2025, the District received a five-year proposal from MARS for the M3 software totaling $56,406. The multi-year proposal provides licensing through 2030 and offers substantial savings compared to annual renewals, averaging $11,281.20 per year.
Under the five- year agreement, t he City is expected to realize a pproximately 40% in savings.
Given MARS’ familiarity with the water meter test bench, its status as an exclusive supplier and administrator, and the fact that no other vendor is authorized or technically capable of providing a compatible software subscription for the District’s existing equipment, conducting a competitive bidding process would not produce any public benefit. Therefore, this agreement qualifies for the bidding procedure exception in (SVMC) Section 2-9.201(e).
The Waterworks budget (Fund 761) includes $42,200 for meter reading software subscriptions in FY 2025-26, with similar appropriations anticipated in subsequent years.
Funding for the proposed contract with MARS is contingent upon Board approval of the FY 2026-27 through FY 2030-31 Public Works operating budgets.
Financial Impact
The total cost is $72,531, $56,406 for the five- year contract and $16,125 for a ratified payment. The first-year cost of $26,538, including the ratified payment, was budgeted in the FY 2025-26 Adopted Budget within the Waterworks operating budget . Funding for Years 2 through 5 will be requested through the City’s annual budget process for City Council consideration.
City Council Priority
This Project supports the Reliable Infrastructure Pillar of Excellence.
Suggested Motion
I move to:
1. Find that the MARS M3 Software subscription is necessary to ensure uniformity and compatibility with the District’s existing water meter test bench and determine that MARS is the only source for such software; and,
2. Based upon such findings, waive bidding requirements and award a contract to MARS for the MARS M3 Software subscription in the amount of $56,406 for a five (5) year period; and,
2 3. Ratify payment previously made to MARS.
Summary
In May 2018, District No. 8 contracted with MARS to provide a water meter test bench used to verify water meter accuracy. The test bench is computer -operated, with touch screen controls, test protocol memory, and report-generation capabilities. The meter test bench computer software, M3, is proprietary to MARS and requires an annual subscription. Staff recommends that the Board of Directors f ind that the MARS M3 Software subscription is necessary to ensure uniformity and compatibility with the District’s existing water meter test bench and determine that MARS is the only source for such software , b ased upon such findings, waive bidding requirements and award a contract to MARS for the MARS M3 Software subscription in the amount of $56,406 for a five (5) year period, and ratify a $16,125 payment previously made to MARS.
Prepared by: Matt Mckenna, Senior Management Analyst
Attachments:
Attachment A – Contract
Attachment B – Previous Payment
3 2-Attachment A - General Services Contract.doc 2/18/26 Attachment A
AGREEMENT NO. 3260067
Services Agreement
CONTRACTOR: OW INVESTORS LLC DBA MARS COMPANY DATE MAILED: FEBRUARY 23, 2026 Below you will find a checklist relating to Insurance and other requirements that are required for doing business with the Ci ty of Simi Valley. Only those items checked- off are MANDATORY, however if your standard policies exceed the minimum requirements please include. Commercial general liability insurance must meet or exceed the requirements of ISO -CGL Form No. CG 00 01 11 85 or 88, or equivalent. The amount of insurance set forth below will be a combined single limit per occurrence for bodily injury, personal injury, and property damage for the policy coverage. Liability policies will be endorsed to name the City, its officials, and employees as “additional insureds” under said insurance coverage and to state that such insurance will be deemed “primary” such that any other insurance that may be carried by the City will be excess thereto. Such insurance must be on an “occurrence,” not a “claims made,” basis and will not be cancelable or subject to reduction except upon thirty (30) days prior written notice to the City.