TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF JULY 11, 2024
COMMITTEE ON PROCUREMENT
Mr. Brian A. Perkovich, Executive Director
Title
Issue purchase order and enter into an agreement with Burke Burns & Pinelli, Ltd. to conduct a comprehensive review and assessment of the District’s procurement policies and procedures in an amount not to exceed $95,000.00. Account 101-30000-612430, Requisition 1621317
Body
Dear Sir,
Authorization is requested to issue a purchase order and enter into an agreement with the law firm of Burke Burns & Pinelli, Ltd. to conduct a comprehensive review and assessment of the District’s procurement policies and procedures.
The District solicited six law firms with the expertise to provide the requested services. These services will include a comprehensive review and assessment of the District’s procurement policies and procedures, and a report to the Board of Commissioners with any recommendations to consider based on best practices in public sector procurement.
An evaluation committee comprised of Law Department staff interviewed the four law firms that responded to the solicitation. Based on the evaluation criteria, including the firm’s professional qualifications, resources, ability to manage the scope of work, and specific experience with similar public procurement issues, the evaluation committee recommends the District’s retention of Burke Burns & Pinelli, Ltd. to conduct the review and assessment in this matter.
Burke Burns & Pinelli, Ltd. has over 30 years of experience providing legal services to a variety of state agencies, municipalities, and businesses, including on matters of procurement, municipal law, and regulatory matters, among other areas of expertise. The lead attorneys who would work on this project, Mary Patricia Burns and Mark S. Jamil, have advised other government agencies on procurement policies, procedures, and best practices, including the Illinois Medical District, the Illinois Finance Authority, and public universities. In addition, Burke Burns & Pinelli, Ltd. is a certified Women’s Business Enterprise. Burke Burns & Pinelli, Ltd. has agreed to a reduced hourly rate of $375.00 per hour for partners and $295.00 per hour for associates. An exception to the Board’s $250.00 hourly rate cap policy for outside legal services, adopted on March 15, 2018, is recommended.
In view of the foregoing, it is requested that the Director of Procurement and Materials Management be authorized to issue a purchase order and enter into an agreement with the law firm of Burke Burns & Pinelli, Ltd. to conduct a comprehensive review and assessment of the District’s procurement policies and procedures in an amount not to exceed $95,000.00.
As the law firm of Burke Burns & Pinelli, Ltd. possesses a high degree of professional experience and skill, such action may be taken without advertising in accordance with Section 11.4 of the District’s Purchasing Act.
Funds for the 2024 expenditure in the amount of $95,000.00 are available in Account 101-30000-612430.
Requested, Brian A. Perkovich, Executive Director, BAP:BJD:JBM:rm
Recommended, Darlene A. LoCascio, Director of Procurement and Materials Management
Respectfully Submitted, Marcelino Garcia, 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 11, 2024