TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF MAY 6, 2021
COMMITTEE ON PROCUREMENT
Mr. Brian A. Perkovich, Executive Director
Title
Issue purchase order and enter into an agreement with Carollo Engineers, Inc., for the finalization of Phosphorus Removal Feasibility Studies for the Kirie and Egan Water Reclamation Plants in an amount not to exceed $78,221.00, Account 201-50000-612430, Requisition 1560855
Body
Dear Sir:
Authorization is requested to issue a purchase order and enter into an agreement with Carollo Engineers, Inc. (Carollo) to provide professional services for the finalization of phosphorus removal feasibility studies for the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (District). The agreement will be in effect from the date of award through December 31, 2021.
The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for the John E. Egan (Egan) Water Reclamation Plant (WRP) was reissued in December 2020, with an effective date of January 1, 2021. The NPDES permit for the James C. Kirie (Kirie) WRP is expected to be reissued in the coming months. These NPDES permits include special conditions that require the completion of a Phosphorus Discharge Optimization Plan and a Phosphorus Removal Feasibility Study within 18 or 24 months (depending on the facility) of the permit effective date.
In 2017, the District awarded the Contract 16-RFP-21 Professional Services for the Development of Phosphorus Removal Feasibility Studies for the Kirie and Egan WRPs, to Carollo. Because the NPDES permits were not finalized during the contract duration (ended December 31, 2018), the District could not complete/submit the feasibility reports to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA). The reissued Egan NPDES permit, and the draft Kirie NPDES permit, now include additional report requirements that were not in the previous drafts, such as addressing specific optimization measures, development of a 36-month schedule for completing the optimization measures, and an evaluation on how rates may increase with different potential total phosphorus discharge limits.
The scope of services will include updating the existing reports to incorporate the additional NPDES permit requirements and finalizing the reports for submittal to the IEPA. Proceeding with a sole source contract with the original consulting firm is in the best interest of the District, because it will be cost and time effective.
Carollo, the sole service provider of these particular phosphorus removal feasibility studies, has submitted prices for the services required. Inasmuch as Carollo is the only source of supply for the services required, nothing would be gained by advertising for bids (Section 11.4 of the Purchasing Act).
Carollo is registered and in good standing with the State of Illinois.
The Multi-Project Labor Agreement (MPLA) is not applicable because the classification of work does not fall under the provision of the MPLA.
The Affirmative Action Ordinance, Revised Appendix D, and Appendix V are not included because Carollo is the sole provider of these services.
In view of the foregoing, it is recommended that the Director of Procurement and Materials Management be authorized to issue a purchase order and enter into an agreement with Carollo in an amount not to exceed $78,221.00.
Funds are available in Account 201-50000-612430.
Requested, Edward W. Podczerwinski, Director of Monitoring and Research, EWP:RA:JSG:JMA:mb
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 May 6, 2021