TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF MAY 16, 2024
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, 2024 to December 31, 2027
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 MA for an additional three years to December 31, 2008. On May 3, 2007, the Board granted authority to extend the MA through December 31, 2010. On April 17, 2008, the Board granted authority to formally include the U of I Chicago Campus under the MA. On December 16, 2010, the Board granted authority to extend the MA through March 31, 2012. On March 15, 2012, the Board granted authority to extend the MA through December 31, 2015. On August 6, 2015, the Board granted authority to extend the MA through December 31, 2018. On August 4, 2016, the Board granted authority to extend the MA through December 31, 2019. On December 19, 2019, the Board granted authority to extend the MA through December 31, 2022. The Board authorized the last extension on December 15, 2022, extending the MA through December 31, 2024.
Authorization is requested to further amend and extend the MA between the District and the U of I through December 31, 2027. Currently, one project is active under the MA, Hydraulic modeling of the Mainstream Tunnel System, which is anticipated to be completed by July 2, 2025. An extension of the MA will allow for the completion of the study and any potential additional District projects that may be best accomplished through the District’s partnership with U of I.
Over the course of the MA, various colleges at U of I, and the Illinois State Water Survey, which is part of the Prairie Research Institute that was formed under the auspices of U of I, have provided valuable expertise and collaborative support to our 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, Catherine A. O’Connor, Director of Engineering, KMF:LS
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 May 16, 2024