TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF MAY 2, 2013
COMMITTEE ON PROCUREMENT
Mr. David St. Pierre, Executive Director
Title
Issue purchase order and enter into an agreement with Hach Company, to Furnish, Deliver and Install a QuikChem Flow Injection Analysis System, in an amount not to exceed $60,231.28, Account 101-16000-634970, Requisition 1359779
Body
Dear Sir:
Authorization is requested to issue a purchase order and enter into an agreement with Hach Company (Hach), to furnish, deliver and install a QuikChem Flow Injection Analysis System (FIA System) for the Calumet Analytical Laboratory of the Monitoring and Research Department. This purchase order will expire on December 31, 2013.
The new FIA System will be used for the analysis of Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen, Total Phosphorus, Ortho-Phosphate, and Sulfate. This equipment replaces older equipment that is becoming unreliable for continuous use. The existing system will be retained for backup purposes.
The new FIA System will analyze Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen, Total Phosphorous, Ortho-Phosphorous, and Sulfate using methods that are approved according to laboratory certification requirements. These analyses are needed to determine the amount of nutrient removal attributed to our wastewater treatment process. All of the analyses results are reported to document compliance with our operating permits and to assist the Maintenance and Operations Department in the daily operations of the District's treatment plants.
The automated technology of the new FIA System can accurately analyze a sample in approximately one minute. If the result exceeds the highest calibration standard, a dilution notification is triggered and the instrument automatically dilutes the sample to the appropriate level and reruns it.
The requested instrumentation is currently used at the Calumet, Egan, and Stickney Analytical Laboratories. Purchasing identical equipment provides uniformity among the laboratories in procedure and data quality, which enables the department to move staff between the three locations without any significant reduction in productivity. Also, the instrument will be covered by an existing service agreement with the manufacturer.
Hach is registered and in good standing 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 Hach, in an amount not to exceed $60,231.28.
Funds are available in Account 101-16000-634970.
Requested, Thomas C. Granato, Director of Monitoring and Research, TCG:MPC:KB:as 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 May 2, 2013