TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF DECEMBER 21, 2017
COMMITTEE ON PROCUREMENT
Mr. David St. Pierre, Executive Director
Title
Authorization to enter into agreements with the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System, through the University of Wisconsin-Madison, DePaul University, Illinois Institute of Technology and Lake Forest Graduate School of Management pursuant to Contract 17-RFP-34, Master Agreement for Professional Development Courses for a Three-Year Period, beginning
January 1, 2018 and continuing through December 31, 2020.
Body
Dear Sir:
Authorization is requested to enter into agreements with the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System, through the University of Wisconsin-Madison, DePaul University, the Illinois Institute of Technology, and Lake Forest Graduate School of Management to develop and deliver various continuing professional development courses for the District between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2020.
On August 23, 2017, Request for Proposal 17-RFP-34, Master Agreement for Professional Development Courses for a Three-Year Period was publicly advertised. Two hundred eighty-eight (288) firms were notified and forty-seven (47) requested proposal documents. On September 29, 2017, the District received seven (7) responsive proposals from the following vendors: DePaul University, Hydomantis US, Illinois Institute of Technology, Lake Forest Graduate School of Management, NH Learning Solutions, RTR Management and Consulting Services, LLC., and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
The proposals were evaluated by staff from the Human Resources and Procurement and Materials Management Departments. The criteria for these evaluations were outlined in Request for Proposal 17-RFP-34 and included: understanding of the project, approach to work, technical competence, financial stability, cost of services, compliance with insurance requirements and submission of all necessary licenses and permits. Following the preliminary evaluation of proposals, four (4) proposers were deemed to be finalists and were interviewed on November 14, 2017. A solicitation was sent to each of the finalist on November 20, 2017 for an unqualified “best and final” offer. The “best and final” offers were returned to the Director of Procurement and Materials Management on November 28, 2017.
Master agreements have been established for engineering and non-engineering professionals since 2009 to provide professional development courses for employees across multiple departments. Based on the overall success of previous master agreements, the objective is to enter into agreements with the three (3) universities and Lake Forest Graduate School of Management to provide optimal flexibility in addressing the training needs of the District on an as-needed basis. This arrangement will not preclude obtaining training from other sources if necessary.
The training anticipated under these agreements may include engineering and non-engineering topics such as: design and construction of wastewater collection and treatment facilities; public works construction, stormwater and floodplain management; water quality and hydrology; arc flash training, project management for engineers; sustainability; leadership; technical writing, compliance with federal and state environmental regulations, and forecasting techniques for financial/management analysts.
As specific training needs are identified, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, DePaul University, Illinois Institute of Technology, and Lake Forest Graduate School of Management will be requested to submit training proposals based on a number of factors including faculty availability, areas of expertise and the desired delivery method, i.e., live instruction or video conferencing. The response to the Request for Proposal 17-RFP-34 has established the cost for all such instruction.
Each purchase order awarded pursuant to this agreement will be subject to the approval of the Director of Procurement and Materials Management and the Board of Commissioners, as may be appropriate, based on the dollar value of the services. The funding for the training will be provided primarily through the departments receiving the training.
The Diversity Section reviewed the request for proposal and concluded that Appendix A should not be included because the vendors who perform this service are educational institutions.
Inasmuch as the recommended universities and Lake Forest Graduate School of Management possess a high degree of professional skill, it is recommended that the Director of Procurement and Materials Management be authorized to enter into agreements with the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System, through the University of Wisconsin-Madison, DePaul University, Illinois Institute of Technology and Lake Forest Graduate School of Management as per Section 11.4 of the Purchasing Act.
Requested, Beverly K. Sanders, Director of Human Resources
Recommended, Darlene A. LoCascio, Director of Procurement and Materials Management, DAL:BKS:RJB:SB
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 December 21, 2017