TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF JUNE 1, 2023
COMMITTEE ON PROCUREMENT
Mr. Brian A. Perkovich, Executive Director
Title
Issue purchase order and enter into an agreement with Princeton University, for greenhouse gas monitoring and quantification at the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago facilities, in an amount not to exceed $100,414.00, Account 101-16000-612430, Requisition 1598272 (As Revised)(Deferred from the May 18, 2023 Board Meeting)
Body
Dear Sir:
Authorization is requested to issue a purchase order and enter into an agreement with Princeton University (Princeton) for monitoring and quantifying greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago’s (District) water reclamation plants (WRPs), largest reservoirs, and biosolids management areas using a mobile laboratory utilizing rapid sensors open to the passive air environment. This purchase order will expire on December 31, 2024.
The Strategic Plan 2021-2025 Goal #5: Enterprise Resilience, Strategy #1, identifies a success measure for the District to reduce its GHG emissions by 28% by 2025, and Board Resolution #17-0728 identifies a target reduction of 80% by 2050. To support progress on these initiatives, the District calculates GHG emissions annually for District operations; however, many emissions are estimated using empirical models. Staff and the wastewater industry at large have reason to believe that several estimation models may not accurately represent the District's emissions due to an industry-wide knowledge gap. Further study and understanding of the actual emissions emitted from each District process is a critical need not only for meeting the District's established goals but also to further the science and the overall industry. The Princeton mobile laboratory is a fully electric vehicle equipped with sensors to help ground the truth and calibrate these models. No other existing mobile laboratory can measure this suite of gases at the measurement frequencies and with the accuracy needed for this type of work. This project also contributes to Strategic Goal #1, Strategy #5, "Develop an innovation ecosystem; drive innovation through partnerships with water associations, universities, labs, water technology firms, etc."
Princeton, the sole provider of monitoring and quantifying greenhouse gas emissions using a mobile laboratory with rapid sensors open to the passive air environment, has submitted pricing for the services required. As Princeton is the only source of supply for the services required, there would be no benefit to advertising for bids (Section 11.4 of the Purchasing Act).
Princeton is not registered to do business in the State of Illinois, but has submitted a certificate of good standing from the State of New Jersey. The Director of Monitoring and Research has approved moving forward with this vendor.
The Multi-Project Labor Agreement (MPLA) is not applicable, as the classification of work does not fall under the provisions of the MPLA.
The Affirmative Action Ordinance is also not included, as Princeton is the sole provider of the services.
Therefore, it is recommended that the Director of Procurement and Materials Management be authorized to issue a purchase order and enter into an agreement with Princeton, in an amount not to exceed $100,414.00.
Funds for the 2023 expenditure, in the amount of $49,655.00, are available in Account 101-16000-612430. The estimated expenditure for 2024 is $50,759.00, which is contingent on the Board of Commissioners' approval of the District's budget for that year.
Requested, Edward W. Podczerwinski, Director of Monitoring and Research, EWP:RA:JSG:RPS:ae
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 June 1, 2023