TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF JULY 16, 2026
COMMITTEE ON PROCUREMENT
Mr. John P. Murray, Executive Director
Title
Issue purchase order and enter into an agreement with ABB Inc., for a multi-year system update to provide controller migration in the PCB, Grit, Clarifier, and Pump and Blower House for the ABB Distributed Control System (DCS) at the O’Brien Water Reclamation Plant, in an amount not to exceed $5,857,110.00, Account 101-67000-612650, Requisitions 1659834
Body
Dear Sir:
Authorization is requested to issue a purchase order and enter into an agreement with ABB Inc., for a multi-year system update to provide controller migration in the PCB, Grit, Clarifier, and Pump and Blower House for the ABB Distributed Control System (DCS) at the O’Brien Water Reclamation Plant. The service would begin upon issuance of the purchase order and terminate on December 31, 2029.
ABB, Inc., the sole source provider of ABB controller migration services and parts, has submitted prices for the services and parts required. Inasmuch as ABB, Inc. is the only source of supply for the services and parts required, nothing would be gained by advertising for bids (Section 11.4 of the Purchasing Act).
The Distributed Control System (DCS) and associated controllers are integral components of the O’Brien Plant’s wastewater treatment process. The current system is more than 15 years old and will no longer be supported by ABB Inc. in a few years. The ABB controller migration provides the O’Brien Plant with infrastructure that will be fully supported in future years. The current system with its existing infrastructure will lose OEM support in the year 2030. To ensure system continuity, continued support, and security, the update of controllers as outlined in this requirement is necessary.
ABB Inc. is registered and in good standing with the State of Illinois.
The Multi-Project Labor Agreement (MPLA) is not applicable because the requirement does not fall under the provisions of the MPLA.
The Affirmative Action Ordinance, Revised Appendix D and Appendix V, is not included because ABB Inc. is the sole provider of these specialized services and parts.
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 ABB Inc., in an amount not to exceed $5,857,110.00.
Funds for 2026, in the amount of $1,000,000.00, are available in Account 101-67000-612650. The estimated expenditures for 2027 are $1,500,000.00, for 2028 are $2,000,000.00, and for 2029 are $1,357,110.00. These expenditures are contingent on the Board of Commissioners’ approval of the District’s budget for those years.
Requested, Edward J. Staudacher, Director of Maintenance and Operations
Recommended, Darlene A. LoCascio, Director of Procurement and Materials Management, DAL:SEB:MS:cc
Respectfully Submitted, Precious Brady-Davis, Chairperson 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 16, 2026