TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 16, 2010
COMMITTEE ON PROCUREMENT
Mr. Richard Lanyon, Executive Director
Title
Issue purchase order and enter into an agreement with the Illinois Institute of Technology, for Assessment of the Effect of Wet Weather Flows on Effluent Quality at the Kirie Water Reclamation Plant under the Master Agreement, in an amount not to exceed $58,396.00, Account 101-16000-601170, Requisition 1310292
Body
Dear Sir:
Authorization is requested to issue a purchase order and enter into an agreement with the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT), for assessment of the effect of wet weather flows on effluent quality at the Kirie Water Reclamation Plant (WRP), under the master agreement. This purchase order will expire on December 31, 2011.
Dr. Paul Anderson, Professor of the Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering at IIT, will configure and calibrate GPS-X software to simulate operations at the Kirie WRP to study the impact of wet-weather on nitrification and to identify treatment plant operational adjustments that may improve nitrification
This work is being pursued because of the Draft 2009 Update Aquatic Life Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Ammonia-Freshwater that was issued in the Federal Register in December 2009, which proposes dramatically lower ammonia limits for WRPs that discharge to streams where freshwater mussels are present or could potentially be present. Only District WRPs that discharge to General Use waters would be affected if the proposed criteria are adopted as water quality standards. A preliminary compliance review of District WRPs showed that only the Kirie WRP ammonia limits currently exceed the proposed limits. Conducting the subject assessment would be the most expeditious first step to determine the potential operational changes required to comply with the proposed criteria for lower ammonia limits, which could eventually impact National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit limits.
Dr. Anderson is a reputable individual in the field of environmental engineering. His research focuses on the influence of dynamic reactor operation on the performance of biological treatment processes; he has published numerous peer-reviewed journal articles in his field. He is a recognized expert in this field and has staff trained and ready to assist the Monitoring and Research Department.
IIT, the expert provider to assess the effect of wet weather flows on effluent quality at the Kirie WRP, has submitted pricing for the services required. Inasmuch as IIT is the expert provider for the services required, nothing would be gained by advertising for bids (Section 11.4 of the Purchasing Act).
IIT is a not-for-profit educational institution 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 IIT, in an amount not to exceed $58,396.00.
Funds for the 2010 expenditure in the amount of $29,200.00 are available in Account 101-16000-601170. Funds for the 2011 expenditure in the amount of $29,196.00 are contingent on the Board of Commissioners’ approval of the District’s budget for that year.
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 September 16, 2010