TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF MAY 15, 2008
COMMITTEE ON PURCHASING
Mr. Richard Lanyon, General Superintendent
Title
Issue purchase order and enter into an agreement with Mr. Donald Nugent, to furnish and deliver farmland services in connection with the Research and Development Department’s farmland application of Class B biosolids, in an amount not to exceed $24,500.00, Account 101-16000-612490, Requisition 1239586
Body
Dear Sir:
Authorization is requested to issue a purchase order (PO) and enter into an agreement with Mr. Donald Nugent (Mr. Nugent) of Will County for farmland services and the purchase of supplies in connection with the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago’s (District) Research and Development Department’s (R&D) project on farmland application of Class B biosolids. During the project, services by Mr. Nugent will include: 1) the application, spreading and incorporation of biosolids; 2) the application of fertilizers at rates specified by R&D; 3) cultivation of the plots and application of herbicides as needed; 4) planting and harvest of corn at the appropriate times; and 5) the purchase of needed seeds and herbicides for the project. This agreement will start in Spring 2008 through Fall 2010.
This PO with Mr. Nugent is for the sole-source services of an individual who possesses a high degree of professional skill where the ability or fitness plays an important part. Therefore, the agreement is not adapted to award by competitive bidding pursuant to Section 11.4 of the District’s Purchasing Act.
The District will reimburse Mr. Nugent for the cost of applying fertilizer and biosolids to the research plots and compensate him for any loss of yield that occurs in the plots receiving the biosolids or fertilizers at doses below the recommended agronomic rates. The District and its contractors will be visiting the sites on a regular basis for collecting samples, delivering biosolids and maintaining equipment.
On May 20, 2004, the Board of Commissioners authorized entering into three-year agreements with Mr. Nugent and another farmer, Mr. James Witvoet, Jr., of Kankakee County, for this project. The information generated from this project will be used to demonstrate to the public that land application of biosolids is both beneficial and safe. These two sites were selected because a large proportion of the District’s biosolids is currently being applied in these two counties. Continuation of the demonstration project “Class B Biosolids Application to Farmland” will occur at the two field sites in Will and Kankakee Counties and will allow the District to maintain a presence in these farming communities, where most of the District’s biosolids are being applied to farmland.
In view of the foregoing, it is requested that the Purchasing Agent be authorized to issue a purchase order and enter into an agreement with Mr. Nugent, in an amount not to exceed $24,500.00. Funds for the 2008 expenditures in the amount of $9,500.00 are available in Account 101-16000-612490. The estimated expenditure for 2009 is $8,000.00 and for 2010 is $7,000.00. Funds for the 2009 and 2010 expenditures are contingent on the Board of Commissioners’ approval of the District’s budget for those years.
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 May 15, 2008. Approved, President Terrence J. O’Brien