TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF JUNE 5, 2008
COMMITTEE ON PURCHASING
Mr. Richard Lanyon, General Superintendent
Title
Issue purchase order and enter into an agreement with the United States Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey for characterization of Escherichia Coli sources and microbiological quality of water above and below the North Side Water Reclamation Plant, including the North Shore Channel, in an amount not to exceed $95,000.00, Account 101-16000-601170, Requisition 1245083
Body
Dear Sir:
Authorization is requested to issue a purchase order (PO) and enter into an agreement with the United States Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Great Lakes Science Center in Porter, Indiana. This PO will expire on May 31, 2009.
This project will be supervised by the Analytical Microbiology and Biomonitoring Section of the Environmental Monitoring and Research Division of the Research and Development Department.
USGS, the sole service provider of characterization of Escherichia Coli (E. coli) sources and microbiological quality of water above and below the North Side Water Reclamation Plant, including the North Shore Channel, has submitted a proposal for the services required. Inasmuch as USGS is the only source of supply for the services required, nothing would be gained by advertising for bids (Section 11.4 of the Purchasing Act).
USGS is a non-profit government agency and is therefore not required to register with the State of Illinois.
The overall goal of this proposed study is to investigate the occurrence, distribution and potential sources of E. coli along the North Channel section of the Chicago waterway system. The specific objectives are to:
1. Determine the distribution of E. coli in surface water and sediments above and below the North Side Water Reclamation Plant (WRP) outfall along a segment of the North Channel basin.
2. Determine potential contributions of E. coli to the channel from forest, silted bank, grassy and run-off affected soils above and below the North Side WRP outfall.
The Multi-Project Labor Agreement is not applicable due to the specialized nature of the services required.
In view of the foregoing, it is requested that the Purchasing Agent be authorized to issue a PO and enter into an agreement with USGS, in an amount not to exceed $95,000.00.
Funds are available in Account 101-16000-601170, 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 June 5, 2008. Approved, President Terrence J. O’Brien