TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF JUNE 6, 2013
COMMITTEE ON Procurement
Mr. David St. Pierre, Executive Director
Title
Issue purchase order and enter into an agreement with Greeley and Hansen LLC, to Update the GPS-X Model for the Stickney Water Reclamation Plant, in an amount not to exceed $99,793.00, Account 201-50000-601170, Requisition 1361452
Body
Dear Sir:
Authorization is requested to issue a purchase order and enter into an agreement with Greeley and Hansen LLC (G&H), to Update the GPS-X Model for the Stickney Water Reclamation Plant (WRP), to evaluate the implementation of biological phosphorus removal and recovery, inform selection and design of sidestream treatment processes, and support future Master Planning for the Stickney WRP. This purchase order will expire on December 31, 2013
GPS-X is a modular, multi-purpose computer program for the modeling and simulation of municipal wastewater treatment plants. A GPS-X model was developed by G&H for the Stickney WRP for the Master Plan study from 2002 through 2005. The updated model is needed for several time sensitive projects including the support of implementation of Enhanced Biological Phosphorus Removal (EBPR) and reevaluation of westside primary settling tank design. Because G&H developed the original model for the Stickney WRP and has expertise in the GPS-X software and a strong fundamental knowledge of the EBPR processes and configurations of the Stickney WRP, they are uniquely suited to update the old model within the current time constraints and most cost effectively.
To support the phosphorus removal and recovery efforts at the Stickney WRP, and to achieve a monthly average effluent concentration of 1 mg/L total phosphorus (anticipated in the new NPDES permit) at the plant within four years, modeling efforts using GPS-X software are needed to optimize the EBPR-process and phosphorus recovery from post-digestion centrifuge recycle streams. Currently, the plant is piloting biological phosphorus removal in one battery and is in the planning stages for phosphorus recovery in the post-digester centrifuge centrate stream to meet the anticipated new NPDES limit. The GPS-X model will be used in the Environmental Monitoring and Research Division offices at the Stickney WRP, but may also be used by the Engineering Department. The GPS-X process model of the Stickney WRP will be updated by the consultant to simulate biological phosphorus removal, nutrient-rich recycle streams, nutrient recovery, and changes in plant processes under a variety of influent conditions, such as wet/dry weather and stress conditions of high/low phosphorus loading. In affect these simulations will help optimize the biological removal process under these different conditions. Additionally, the updated model can be used for process planning such as examining the effect of changing the type of primary treatment technology on the west side of the plant or what would happen if tanks were out of service.
The tasks under this project are as follows:
1. Model dataset review and analysis; characterization of typical dry weather and wet weather flows
and sewage strength; and identification of data gaps.
2. Development of an updated whole plant model, including the EBPR process and phosphorus
recovery.
3. Model calibration and verification; verification of nutrient mass balance.
4. Examination of model sensitivity regarding issues including but not limited to high nitrate loading in
the return activated sludge stream, diurnal ammonia variations, impact of recycle streams, and
impact of carbon supplementation.
5. Evaluation of the model with respect to plant process alternatives such as carbon fate based on
operations with new primary treatment or no primary treatment on the West Side.
6. Model and technology transfer workshop for training of District personnel.
7. Development and execution of additional process modeling runs for additional alternatives to be
determined during the project.
8. Technical memorandum generation documenting modeling efforts, assumptions made, sensitivity
analysis, and key findings.
G&H, the expert provider to develop a GPS-X Model for the Stickney (WRP) has submitted pricing for the services required. Inasmuch as G&H, is the only expert provider for the services required, nothing would be gained by advertising for bids (Section 11.4 of the Purchasing Act).
G&H is registered and in good standing 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 G&H, in an amount not to exceed $99,793.00.
Funds are available in Account 201-50000-601170. .
Requested, Thomas C. Granato, Director of Monitoring and Research, TCG:MPC:KB:as 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 June 6, 2013