TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF AUGUST 12, 2010
COMMITTEE ON PROCUREMENT
Mr. Richard Lanyon, Executive Director
Title
Issue purchase order and enter into an agreement with CEM Corporation, to Furnish, Deliver and Install One Microwave Accelerated Reaction System, in an amount not to exceed $30,034.00, Account 101-16000-634970, Requisition 1309197
Body
Dear Sir:
Authorization is requested to issue a purchase order (PO) and enter into an agreement with CEM Corporation (CEM) to furnish, deliver and install one microwave accelerated reaction system (MARS5) at the Egan Analytical Laboratory (EAL) of the Monitoring and Research Department. The EAL will use this equipment for the digestion of liquid and sludge treatment plant samples in preparation for trace metal analysis. This purchase order will expire on December 31, 2010.
The old unit is at the end of its useful service life and will be retained as a backup device. Another unit will be traded in for a price discount.
The MARS5 series microwave is the only unit available which is capable of processing 40 closed vessel high pressure digestions simultaneously, with temperature measurement feedback on all vessels. This is triple the existing microwave ovens’ capacity. This oven is compatible with all the CEM digestion vessels which EAL currently uses and will provide a decrease in operation costs.
CEM, the sole-service provider to furnish, deliver and install one MARS5, has submitted pricing for the services and equipment required. Inasmuch as CEM is the only source of supply for the services and equipment required, nothing would be gained by advertising for bids (Section 11.4 of the Purchasing Act).
CEM is not registered to transact business in Illinois, but has submitted a certificate of good standing from the State of North Carolina. The Department of Procurement and Materials Management has received approval from the Executive Director to move forward with the recommendation to award.
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 CEM, in an amount not to exceed $30,034.00.
Funds are available in Account 101-16000-634970.
Requested, Louis Kollias, Director of Monitoring and Research, LK:TG:MPC:KB:op
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 August 12, 2010