TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF FEBRUARY 21, 2019
COMMITTEE ON MONITORING AND RESEARCH
Mr. Brian A. Perkovich, Executive Director
Title
Authority to Subscribe to the Water Research Foundation for the 2019 Annual Research Commitment in an amount not to exceed $144,900.00, Account 101-15000-612280
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Dear Sir:
Authorization is requested to make payment, by direct voucher, to the Water Research Foundation (WRF) (formerly, Water Environment and Reuse Foundation) for the 2019 Annual Research Commitment, in an amount not to exceed $144,900.00.
The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (District) is in receipt of the 2019 annual subscription renewal notice from WRF for the period January 1, 2019, through December 31, 2019.
WRF is currently sponsoring 292 projects, of which 125 projects totaling about $21 million of expenditures are especially applicable to the District. The list of 125 projects is attached.
By remaining a subscriber to WRF, the District will reap the benefits of the findings from various projects in a timely manner through WRF's excellent progress reports and final reports. The information that will be gathered particularly in the areas of water quality, wastewater treatment, energy recovery, sludge processing, and nutrient removal will be highly beneficial to the District's current operations and future planning of capital improvement projects. It is estimated that the District's annual investment of $144,900.00 for a WRF subscription saves the District many times that amount if this research were to be conducted in-house.
WRF, the sole-source of supply, has submitted pricing for the amount of the research commitment requested. Inasmuch as the research benefits are not available through any other source of supply, nothing would be gained by advertising for bids (Section 11.4 of the Purchasing Act).
It is hereby recommended that the Board of Commissioners authorize payment, by direct voucher, to WRF, in an amount not to exceed $144,900.00. Funds are available in Account 101-15000-612280.
Requested, Edward W. Podczerwinski, Director of Monitoring and Research, EWP:KB:HZ:AC:kq
Recommended, Eileen McElligott, Administrative Services Officer
Respectfully Submitted, Debra Shore, Chairman Committee on Monitoring and Research
Disposition of this agenda item will be documented in the official Regular Board Meeting Minutes of the Board of Commissioners for February 21, 2019
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