TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF DECEMBER 19, 2024
COMMITTEE ON PROCUREMENT
Mr. Brian A. Perkovich, Executive Director
Title
Authorization for payment to the Water Research Foundation for the 2025 Annual Research Commitment in the amount of $181,584.00, Account 101-15000-612280
Body
Dear Sir:
Authorization is requested to make payment, by direct voucher, to the Water Research Foundation (WRF) as a member of WRF, for the 2025 Annual Research Commitment, in the amount of $181,584.00.
The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (District) is in receipt of the 2025 annual subscription renewal notice from the WRF for the period January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025.
Attached is a WRF summary report of the District’s involvement and engagement with WRF research, including a list of 21 projects in which the District is actively engaged. The WRF portfolio of current research also includes other projects (not included in this report) that generate information relevant to District operation.
By remaining a subscriber to the WRF, the District will reap the benefits of the findings from various projects in a timely manner through the WRF’s excellent progress reports, final reports, and other interactive tools, like forums, webinars and workshops. The information that will be gathered, particularly in the areas of stormwater management, water quality, wastewater treatment, energy recovery, sludge processing, biosolids management, nutrient removal, utility management, emerging contaminants, and sustainable utilities will be highly beneficial to the District's current operations and future planning of capital improvement projects. It is estimated that the District's annual investment of $181,584.00 for a WRF subscription saves the District many times that amount if this research were to be conducted in-house.
The WRF, the sole-source of supply, has submitted pricing for the District’s 2025 annual research commitment. Inasmuch as the research benefits are not available through any other source of supply, nothing would be gained by advertising for bids (Section 11.4 of the Purchasing Act).
It is hereby recommended that the Board of Commissioners authorize payment, by direct voucher, to the WRF, in the amount of $181,584.00.
Funds are being requested in 2025, in Account 101-15000-612280, and are contingent on the Board of Commissioner’s approval of the District’s budget for that year.
Requested, Shellie A. Riedle, Administrative Services Officer, EWP:jb
Recommended, Darlene A. LoCascio, Director of Procurement and Materials Management
Respectfully Submitted, Marcelino Garcia, 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, 2024
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