TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF MAY 19, 2016
COMMITTEE ON Procurement
Mr. David St. Pierre, Executive Director
Title
Issue purchase order and enter into an agreement with Metrohm USA, Inc., to furnish, deliver, and install an Ion Chromatograph with Autosampler for Hexavalent Chromium Samples, in an amount not to exceed $44,163.50, Account 101-16000-634970, Requisition 1424274
Body
Dear Sir:
Authorization is requested to issue a purchase order and enter into an agreement with Metrohm USA, Inc. (Metrohm) to furnish, deliver, and install an ion chromatograph with autosampler for hexavalent chromium samples. The Monitoring and Research Department’s Industrial Waste Analytical Laboratory at the Stickney Water Reclamation Plant will use this equipment. This purchase order will expire on August 31, 2016.
The equipment will be used to determine hexavalent chromium concentrations in samples submitted for analysis by the Industrial Waste Division (under Appendix B of the District’s Sewage and Waste Control Ordinance), the Maintenance and Operations Department (for treatment plant monitoring), and the Environmental Monitoring and Research Division (to offer research project support).
The hexavalent chromium analysis is becoming an increasingly requested parameter, particularly for wastewater treatment plant operations. The automated method sample preservation technique extends the maximum allowable sample holding time from twenty-four (24) hours (for the manual method) to twenty-eight (28) days, thereby requiring analyses to be performed only once or twice a month in contrast to the daily schedule currently in place. The supervising chemist would assign a technician to the hexavalent chromium area as needed instead of every night, sometimes for only a single sample.
Recently, two patented technologies have been developed for ion chromatographic analysis of hexavalent chromium that are necessary to attain the analytical sensitivity and sustainability of operation required by the Industrial Waste Analytical Laboratory. The first is a triple-chamber capillary chemical suppressor. This suppressor will reduce background noise thus providing the greatest sensitivity that will lead to the lowest detection limits possible for the hexachrome analysis. In addition, it will automatically clean the cartridge and rinse it making it ready to analyze another sample. This automatic cleaning step will reuse the same chemicals multiple times and will reduce chemical cost, reduce chemical waste and save technician time. The second technology is inline sample preparation with filtration. This is an internal filtration step that has reusable filters that eliminates the need for more costly disposable filters that would otherwise be needed. These two technologies are only available with the Metrohm instrument.
Metrohm, the sole-service provider to furnish, deliver, and install an ion chromatograph with autosampler for hexavalent chromium samples, has submitted pricing for the equipment and services required. Inasmuch as Metrohm is the only source of supply for the equipment and services required, nothing would be gained by advertising for bids (Section 11.4 of the Purchasing Act).
Metrohm is registered and in good standing with the state of Florida.
The Multi-Project Labor Agreement is not applicable due to the specialized nature of the equipment and 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 Metrohm, in an amount not to exceed $44,163.50.
Funds are available in Account 101-16000-634970.
Requested, Thomas C. Granato, Director of Monitoring and Research, TCG:MPC:KB:ae/jvs
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 May 19, 2016