TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF FEBRUARY 3, 2022
COMMITTEE ON PROCUREMENT
Mr. Brian A. Perkovich, Executive Director
Title
Authorization for payment to the Water Research Foundation for the 2022 Annual Research Commitment in an amount not to exceed $156,859.00, Account 101-15000-612280
Body
Dear Sir:
Authorization is requested to make payment, by direct voucher, to the Water Research Foundation (WRF) for the 2022 Annual Research Commitment, in an amount not to exceed $156,859.00.
The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (District) is in receipt of the 2022 annual subscription renewal notice from WRF for the period January 1, 2022, through December 31, 2022.
The WRF is currently sponsoring 264 projects, of which 77 projects totaling approximately $18 million of expenditures are applicable to the District. The list of 77 projects is attached.
By remaining a subscriber to the WRF, the District will reap the benefits of the findings from various projects in a timely manner through the WRF’s excellent progress reports and final reports and other interactive tools, like forums, webinars and workshops. The information that will be gathered, particularly in the areas of stormwater management, water quality, wastewater treatment, energy recovery, sludge processing, nutrient removal, utility management, and sustainable utilities, will be highly beneficial to the District's current operations and future planning of capital improvement projects. It is estimated that the District's annual investment of $156,859.00 for a WRF subscription saves the District many times that amount if this research were to be conducted in-house.
The WRF, the sole-source of supply, has submitted pricing for the amount of the research commitment requested. Inasmuch as the research benefits are not available through any other source of supply, nothing would be gained by advertising for bids (Section 11.4 of the Purchasing Act).
It is hereby recommended that the Board of Commissioners authorize payment, by direct voucher, to the WRF, in an amount not to exceed $156,859.00. Funds are available in Account 101-15000-612280.
Requested, Shellie Riedle, Administrative Services Officer, SR:EWP:RA:AC:kq
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 February 3, 2022
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