TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF MARCH 6, 2008
COMMITTEE ON PURCHASING
Mr. Richard Lanyon, General Superintendent
Title
Authority to advertise Contract 08-115-11 to furnish and deliver American Sigma Flowmeters for the Industrial Waste Division, estimated cost $40,000.00, Account 101-16000-623570 (Requisition 1237482)
Body
Dear Sir:
Contract documents and specifications have been prepared to obtain 15 flowmeters for the Industrial Waste Division Field Surveillance Section (IWD). The flowmeters are used to measure discharge from various industries in the Cook County area. IWD uses Data Transfer Units (DTU) to download the data collected by the flowmeters into the IWD database. The data is compiled using American Sigma Insight (Insight) software.
A bid deposit is not required for this contract.
Appendix D is not applicable to this contract because the estimated value is under $100,000.00. Also, the Multi-Project Labor Agreement is not applicable because the use of tradesmen is not required.
These flowmeters will replace older flowmeters which do not have the download capability. In addition, the older flowmeters record flow data on outdated paper strip charts, which are vulnerable to the weather and can result in the loss of data. Therefore, the 15 existing models will either be traded in for a discount, retained as emergency backup devices, or utilized in situations where the data does not have to be transferred to the IWD database.
The Insight software, flowmeters, and DTUs use a common communication protocol unique to American Sigma flowmeters. Insight software will not work with equipment made by a different manufacturer. If incompatible equipment was obtained, IWD would be forced to collect and maintain flow data in two separate databases. Consequently, the District would incur additional costs due to the acquisition of unique flowmeters, DTU equipment, protocol software, and a new database application that would not be compatible with existing equipment.
The estimated schedule for this contract is as follows:
Advertise: March 26, 2008
Open Bids: April 15, 2008
Award: May 1, 2008
Completion: September 30, 2008
It is therefore requested that the Purchasing Agent be authorized to advertise a contract for the American Sigma flowmeters. Funding is available in Budget Account No. 101-16000-623570, Corporate Fund.
Requested, Louis Kollias, Director of Research and Development, LK:WJS:MPC:KB:bk
Recommended, Darlene A. LoCascio, Purchasing Agent
Respectfully Submitted, Barbara J. McGowan, Chairman Committee on Purchasing
ORDERED passed by affirmative roll call vote of a majority of the Commissioners present this March 6, 2008. Approved, President Terrence J. O’Brien