TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF JULY 9, 2009
COMMITTEE ON PROCUREMENT
Mr. Richard Lanyon, Executive Director
Title
Issue purchase order to the University of Illinois at Chicago pursuant to terms of Master Agreement with University of Illinois to conduct a study of greenhouse gas emissions from the Stickney, Egan and North Side Water Reclamation Plants, in an amount not to exceed $71,687.00, Account 101-16000-601170, Requisition 1277540
Body
Dear Sir:
Authorization is requested to issue a purchase order (PO) to the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) to conduct a study of greenhouse gas emissions from the Stickney, Egan and North Side Water Reclamation Plants (WRPs). This PO will expire on December 31, 2009.
The principal investigator for this project will be Neil C. Sturchio, Ph.D., who is a professor in the Department of Environmental and Earth Sciences and the Director of the Environmental Isotope Geochemistry Laboratory at the UIC. Dr. Sturchio is a reputable scientific investigator and researcher in the field of environmental pollutant source tracking and his laboratory is well equipped to analyze gas samples in a timely manner, using gas chromatographic techniques.
The purpose of this study is to determine the levels of methane, nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, oxygen and argon in air samples at the Stickney WRP and to determine the sources of high emissions at the Egan and North Side WRPs. Dr. Sturchio will participate in field work, sampling method optimization, data analysis, interpretation, and reporting. The results of the air sampling and gas analyses, along with quality assurance and quality control data, will be compiled, analyzed, and reported by the UIC to the District by the end of the project period. This production of gases from the wastewater treatment process is known as the phenomenon greenhouse gas effect, which is considered a driver for global warming and overall climate change in the environment.
UIC, the expert provider to conduct a study of greenhouse gas emissions from the Stickney, Egan and North Side WRPs, has submitted pricing for the services required. Inasmuch as UIC is the expert source for the services required, nothing would be gained by advertising for bids (Section 11.4 of the Purchasing Act). This work will be conducted under the existing Master Agreement between the District and UIC.
UIC is a government organization and is 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 PO to UIC, in an amount not to exceed $71,687.00.
Funds are available in Account 101-16000-601170.
Requested, Louis Kollias, Director of Monitoring and Research, LK:WJS: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 July 9, 2009