TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF JANUARY 5, 2012
COMMITTEE ON PROCUREMENT
Mr. David St. Pierre, Executive Director
Title
Authority to increase purchase order and amend the agreement with Barnes & Thornburg, for legal services in the pending rulemaking before the Illinois Pollution Control Board entitled, In the matter of: water quality standards and effluent limitations for the Chicago area waterways system and the lower Des Plaines River: proposed amendments to 35 Ill. Adm. Code Parts 301, 302, 303 and 304, R08-09 (Rulemaking-Water), in an amount of $150,000.00, from an amount of $1,240,000.00, to an amount not to exceed $1,390,000.00, Account 101-30000-601170, Purchase Order 3049607
Body
Dear Sir:
On January 3, 2008, the Board of Commissioners authorized the Director of Procurement and Materials Management to issue a purchase order and enter into an agreement with Barnes & Thornburg, for legal services in the pending rulemaking before the Illinois Pollution Control Board entitled, In the matter of: water quality standards and effluent limitations for the Chicago area waterways system and the lower Des Plaines River: proposed amendments to 35 Ill. Adm. Code Parts 301, 302, 303 and 304, R08-09 (Rulemaking-Water), in an amount not to exceed $300,000.00. The contract expires at the conclusion of all matters concerning the rulemaking.
As of December 19, 2012, the attached list of change orders has been approved. The effect of these change orders is an increase in the amount of $940,000 from the original amount awarded of $300,000. The current contract value is $1,240,000.00. The prior approved change orders reflect a 313% increase in the original contract value.
To date, the Illinois Pollution Control Board (“IPCB”) has held over 50 days of hearings since commencement of the proceedings in early 2008. Additional funds are necessary to continue utilizing the legal services of Barnes & Thornburg in the on-going rulemaking. The IEPA, environmental groups and MWRD are currently engaged in negotiations outside the hearing process in an effort to reach agreement on a number of issues which are currently before the IPCB, thereby obviating the need for additional hearings before the IPCB.
This change order 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, is germane to the contract and is in the best interest of the District.
It is hereby recommended that the Board of Commissioners authorize the Director of Procurement and Materials Management to execute a change order to increase the purchase order and amend the agreement in an amount of $150,000.00 (12.1% of the current contract value) from an amount of $1,240,000.00 to an amount not to exceed $1,390,000.00.
Funds are available in Account 101-30000-601170.
Requested, Ronald M. Hill, General Counsel, RMH:MTC
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 January 5, 2011
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