TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF JULY 10, 2014
COMMITTEE ON Procurement
Mr. David St. Pierre, Executive Director
Title
Issue purchase order and enter into an agreement with the United States Department of the Interior United States Geological Survey, to evaluate groundwater monitoring wells and historical monitoring data of the Tunnel and Reservoir Plan, in an amount not to exceed $221,660.00, Account 201-50000-601170, Requisition 1381208
Body
Dear Sir:
Authorization is requested to issue a purchase order and enter into an agreement with the United States Department of the Interior United States Geological Survey (USGS) Illinois Water Science Center in Urbana, Illinois, to evaluate groundwater Monitoring Wells and Historical Monitoring Data of the Tunnel and Reservoir Plan. This purchase order will expire on July 31, 2015.
The purpose of this project is to evaluate the network of groundwater monitoring wells and historical monitoring data of the Tunnel and Reservoir Plan (TARP) to justify whether the number of wells and monitoring frequency can be reduced. The District has monitored over 155 groundwater monitoring wells for more than 20 years, and the reduction in the number of monitoring wells and monitoring frequency is being considered because: (1) extensive financial resources are needed to replace and make them operational; (2) easement agreements to provide access to many of the monitoring wells have expired or will expire soon; and (3) starting next year, the District is required to begin monitoring seven additional wells (one deep and six Westbay wells) every two weeks associated with the Thornton Composite Reservoir. Reduction in monitoring frequency of existing wells is necessary to have resources and personnel available to perform the required additional monitoring.
It is essential that the District obtain the services of the USGS for conducting this evaluation because the District staff does not have the required expertise to conduct a geologic evaluation of the TARP groundwater monitoring system. The USGS is best suited to conduct this work because the USGS staff is quite familiar with geologic formations and associated hydrogeology of the Chicago region and the TARP system.
The scope of proposed work includes the following tasks:
1. Interact with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) regarding the IEPA's willingness to allow changes to the current sampling regimen and expectations on the scope of this evaluation.
2. Compile and analyze information on the TARP system, including the Silurian dolomite deposits it penetrates, the overlying unconsolidated deposits, and the entire TARP monitoring well network.
3. Compile water quality data collected from all of the TARP monitoring wells from the early 1990s through 2013 and performing necessary statistical analyses.
4. Identify locations where water from the Silurian dolomite could be used for drinking-water supply within five miles of the TARP system, if any.
5. Analyze data to determine the hydrogeologic, hydraulic, tunnel construction, well construction, and chemical factors that may affect the exchange of water between the TARP tunnels and the surrounding Silurian dolomite.
6. Analyze data to identify potential revisions to the monitoring network, the frequency of data collection, the number of monitoring wells, and the list of analytes to develop a more cost-effective and meaningful monitoring regimen.
7. Prepare and submit a final report summarizing findings to the District.
The insights gained from this evaluation can be used to design a more cost-effective sampling regimen to meet groundwater-monitoring regulations for human-health concerns and to assess the potential impact of water from the TARP on human health.
The USGS, the sole-source provider to Evaluate Groundwater Monitoring Wells and Historical Monitoring Data of the Tunnel and Reservoir Plan has submitted pricing for the services required. Inasmuch as USGS is the only source of supply for the services required, nothing would be gained by advertising for bids (Section 11.4 of the Purchasing Act).
The USGS is a non-profit, governmental agency and is therefore not required to register with the State of Illinois.
The Multi-Project Labor Agreement is not applicable due to the specialized nature of the services required.
In view of the foregoing, it is recommended that the Director of Procurement and Materials Management be authorized to issue a purchase order and enter into an agreement with USGS, in an amount not to exceed $221,660.00.
Funds for the 2014 expenditure, in the amount of $190,000.00, are available in Account 201-50000-01170. The estimated expenditure for 2015 is $31,660.00 and is contingent on the Board of Commissioners' approval of the District's budget for that year.
Requested, Thomas C. Granato, Director of Monitoring and Research, TCG:MPC:KB:mh
Recommended, Darlene A. LoCascio, Director of Procurement and Materials Management
Respectfully Submitted, Barbara J. McGowan, Chairman Committee on Procurement
Disposition of this agenda item will be documented in the official Regular Board Meeting Minutes of the Board of Commissioners for July 10, 2014