TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF JULY 8, 2010
COMMITTEE ON PROCUREMENT
Mr. Richard Lanyon, Executive Director
Title
Issue purchase order and enter into an agreement with Dionex Corporation, to Furnish, Deliver and Install an Accelerated Solvent Extractor 350, in an amount not to exceed $60,353.50, Accounts 101-16000-634970, Requisition 1306435
Body
Dear Sir:
Authorization is requested to issue a purchase order (PO) and enter into an agreement with Dionex Corporation, to furnish, deliver and install an Accelerated Solvent Extractor 350 (ASE350), at the Egan Organic Compounds Analytical Laboratory (OCAL) of the Monitoring and Research Department. The OCAL will use this equipment to analyze the levels of emergent chemicals, such as pesticides, PCBs, base neutral/acid extractable compounds, pharmaceuticals, and personal care products in biosolids samples. This purchase order will expire on December 31, 2010.
The ASE350 uses a combination of elevated temperature and pressure with common solvents to increase the efficiency of the extraction process, and it provides faster extraction times and a significant reduction in solvent use. The ASE350 meets the specifications outlined in the USEPA Method 3545A for the extraction of organics from the solid samples. The automated extractor has 24 positions with the features of automatic filtering and rinsing to reduce the technician’s total sample-handling time as well as increasing sample throughputs. The ASE350 has the flexibility to perform multiple sequential extractions in a single cell, or to even use a different method in each cell. The solvent is not expelled into the atmosphere and can be operated without a fume hood. Therefore, utilizing this equipment will streamline the laboratory processing of the biosolid samples.
The ASE350 is new equipment that will eventually replace obsolete sonicators that require manual operation to process one sample at a time. The sonicators will be retained as backup devices.
Dionex Corporation, the sole-service provider to furnish, deliver and install an ASE350, has submitted pricing for the equipment, accessories and services required. Inasmuch as Dionex Corporation is the sole-service provider for the equipment, accessories and services required, nothing would be gained by advertising for bids (Section 11.4 of the Purchasing Act). In addition, the equipment and accessories provided under the PO/agreement are economically available from a single source.
Dionex Corporation 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 PO and enter into an agreement with Dionex Corporation, in an amount not to exceed $60,353.50.
Funds are available in Account 101-16000-634970.
Requested, Louis Kollias, Director of Monitoring and Research, LK:TG:MPC:KB:op\bk
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 8, 2010