TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF DECEMBER 19, 2019
COMMITTEE ON PROCUREMENT
Mr. Brian A. Perkovich, Executive Director
Title
Authorization to amend the Master Agreement with the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois to extend the agreement termination date from December 31, 2019 to December 31, 2022
Body
Dear Sir:
On September 19, 2002, the Board of Commissioners (Board) granted authority to enter into a Master Agreement (MA) between the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (District) and the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois (U of I) on behalf of its Urbana-Champaign Campus. Initially, this agreement was for an approximate period of three years, with a termination date of December 31, 2005. On October 16, 2003, the Board granted authority to amend and extend the agreement for an additional three years to December 31, 2008. On May 3, 2007, the Board granted the authority to extend the MA through December 31, 2010. On April 17, 2008, the Board granted the authority to formally include the U of I Chicago campus under the MA. On December 16, 2010, the Board granted the authority to extend the MA through March 31, 2012. On August 6, 2015, the Board granted the authority to extend the MA through December 31, 2018. The Board authorized the last extension on August 4, 2016, extending the MA through December 31, 2019.
Authorization is requested to further amend and extend the MA between the District and the U of I through December 31, 2022. This amendment is due to current Research Project Specifications with a completion date beyond the current MA expiration date of December 31, 2019. An extension through December 31, 2022 will allow for any potential District projects that may be planned under the MA.
A previous project was authorized by the Board on September 1, 2016. This project is to further develop the Tunnel and Reservoir Plan - Chicago Area Waterway System Three-Dimensional Hydrodynamic and Water Quality Model for Use in Evaluating Aquatic Species Mitigation Measures, Invasive Species Alternatives: Hydrological Impacts on Chicago Area Waterways. The project is under the supervision of the Monitoring and Research Department and is expected to be completed by August 30, 2020.
Over the course of the MA, various colleges at the U of I, such as the College of Engineering and the College of Health Sciences, have provided valuable expertise and collaborative support to the District’s operating departments. The MA has provided a vehicle to expedite collaboration, as organizational needs developed. The continuation of this relationship in the future would be beneficial to address any emerging issues, problems and challenges that would impact the District’s operations.
Since the required services under the MA are professional in nature, they are not adaptive to award by competitive bidding. Therefore, it is requested that the extension of the termination date be authorized without advertising, as stated in Section 11.4 of the Purchasing Act.
This amendment is in compliance with the Illinois Criminal Code, since the change is due to circumstances not reasonably foreseeable at the time the contract was signed, and is in the best interest of the District.
Requested, Edward W. Podczerwinski, Director of Monitoring and Research, EWP:KB:HZ:AC:kq
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 December 19, 2019