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 the United States Department of Agriculture, to Evaluate Phytoextraction of Cadmium from Biosolids-Amended Soils in an amount not to exceed $35,000.00, Account 101-16000-601170, Requisition 1309912
Body
Dear Sir:
Authorization is requested to issue a purchase order and enter into an agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), to evaluate phytoextraction of cadmium from biosolids-amended soils, at the Fulton County site. This purchase order will expire on August 31, 2011.
The Monitoring and Research Department is requesting approval to obtain the professional services of the USDA with Dr. Rufus Chaney as the principal investigator. Dr. Chaney will conduct a greenhouse study to determine the potential for using metal hyperaccumulator crop species to extract (phytoremediate) cadmium (Cd) in biosolids-amended fields at the Fulton County site containing high levels of trace metals resulting from higher metal-content biosolids that were land-applied before promulgation of the Part 503 Rule. This study will help in the selection of the most adaptable and economically feasible option among a set of Cd-accumulator varieties of crops that can be cultivated on the high Cd fields, and then harvested and disposed.
This project has potential long-term benefits to the District. The levels of Cd in some fields range from near to slightly above the Tier I residential standard of the Illinois Tiered Approach to Corrective Action Objectives for clean up of contaminated soils. There are no apparent liabilities due to the levels of Cd and other trace metals in those fields that might have implications for the resale of the lands. However, any action to reduce the Cd levels in those fields has the potential to increase the value of the land and the public perception of the District’s commitment to the environmental stewardship.
Dr. Chaney’s laboratory is best suited to provide this service because he is an internationally renowned expert in the science and practice of phytoremediation of metal-contaminated soils, and has access to the Cd-accumulator species. In addition, the District has benefited tremendously from collaboration with Dr. Chaney for over 30 years through the process of review and development of the Part 503 Rule and as a member of the USDA W-2170 Technical Committee. Dr. Chaney currently has staff and other resources available to conduct the greenhouse study.
USDA, the expert provider to evaluate phytoextraction of cadmium from biosolids-amended soils, has submitted pricing for the services required. Inasmuch as USDA is the expert provider for the services required, nothing would be gained by advertising for bids (Section 11.4 of the Purchasing Act).
USDA is a government agency and is therefore not required to register 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 USDA, in an amount not to exceed $35,000.00.
Funds are available in Account 101-16000-601170.
Requested, Louis Kollias, Director of Monitoring and Research, LK:TG:MPC:KB:js
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