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 Dr. Charles "Steve" Melching, to Evaluate the Lake Michigan Discretionary Allocation Reduction, in an amount not to exceed $100,625.00, Account 201-50000-601170, Requisition 1360038
Body
Dear Sir:
Authorization is requested to issue a purchase order and enter into an agreement with Dr. Melching, to evaluate the Lake Michigan Discretionary Allocation Reduction to continue the assessment of the water quality of the Chicago Area Waterway System (CAWS). This purchase order will expire on December 31, 2013.
Dr. Steve Melching will conduct water quality modeling study to evaluate the effects of the planned reduction in discretionary diversion and the ability of the District to comply with dissolved oxygen (DO) standards proposed by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) to the Illinois Pollution Control Board. The study will determine the level of compliance with the IEPA's proposed DO standards that can be achieved with discretionary diversion allowances of 270 cfs and 101 cfs, for a sample year, under current inflow conditions (without reservoirs). Dr. Melching will also determine the amount of discretionary diversion required to yield similar compliance with the IEPA's proposed DO standards, as for the 270 cfs diversion allowance for the cases of (1) Thornton Reservoir being operational and (2) Thornton and McCook Stage I Reservoirs being operational.
The updated unsteady flow water quality model (Duflow model) for the CAWS that was developed by Dr. Melching is an ideal tool for this study. Dr. Melching has over 25 years of national and international experience in working on water quality models to address stream water quality issues. Dr. Melching has extensive knowledge of the CAWS. Since 2000, he and his team built, calibrated, and validated the Duflow model for the CAWS and applied the model to study water quality improvement alternatives that were proposed by the stakeholders during the Use Attainability Analysis for the CAWS. These alternatives included flow augmentation, sediment capping, and supplemental aeration options. Dr. Melching is currently working under an independent contract with the District to evaluate the allocation of discretionary diversion from Lake Michigan to improve the water quality of the CAWS (Purchase Order No. 3073684). However, the latter proposed agreement includes tasks that are outside the scope of the existing contract. Given Dr. Melching's experience in developing and running the Duflow model of the CAWS, he is uniquely qualified to continue this work to investigate the potential effects of the reduction in Lake Michigan discretionary diversion allocation.
The subject proposal is for an eight-month study beginning in May 2013 and ending approximately December 31, 2013, including the following scope of work items:
1. Determine the optimal allocation of a maximum of 270 cfs of discretionary diversion for Water Year (WY) 2003 to achieve full compliance with the IEPA's proposed DO standards during dry weather and a high level of compliance over the entire year at all locations in the CAWS.
2. Meet with District to review the results of Task 1 and determine the two intermediate discretionary diversion levels and set goals for the optimal allocation of the intermediate discretionary diversion levels and of a maximum discretionary diversion of 101 cfs.
3. Determine the optimal allocation of a maximum of 101 cfs of discretionary diversion for WY 2003 to achieve the goals determined in Task 2.
4. Determine the optimal allocation for the two intermediate levels of discretionary diversion.
5. Determine the optimal allocation of discretionary diversion at the O'Brien Lock and Dam for the case of the Thornton Reservoir being operational.
6. Prepare an interim report on the findings of the study to date and assist the District in preparing a submission for the Illinois Department of Natural Resource's (IDNR) consideration and negotiations on the appropriate level of the discretionary diversion.
7. Determine the optimal allocation of discretionary diversion for the case of the Thornton Reservoir and McCook Stage I Reservoir being operational.
8. Prepare final report on the findings of this study: A report will be produced to provide information for negotiations between the District and the IDNR regarding the appropriate level of discretionary diversion in WY 2015 and beyond.
Dr. Melching, the uniquely qualified and expert provider to evaluate the Lake Michigan Discretionary Allocation Reduction submitted pricing for the services required. Inasmuch as Dr. Melching possesses a high degree of professional skill, nothing would be gained by advertising for bids (Section 11.4 of the Purchasing Act).
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 Dr. Melching, in an amount not to exceed $100,625.00.
Funds are available in Account 201-50000-601170.
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