TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF JUNE 15, 2023
COMMITTEE ON PROCUREMENT
Mr. Brian A. Perkovich, Executive Director
Title
Issue purchase order and enter into an agreement with SEAL Analytical Inc. to Furnish, Deliver, and Install an Automated Discrete Analyzer, Peripheral Equipment, Preventive Maintenance, and Consumable Supplies in the Analytical Laboratory at the Stickney Water Reclamation Plant in an amount not to exceed $59,523.00, Accounts 101-16000-612970, 634970, Requisition 1600304
Body
Dear Sir:
Authorization is requested to issue a purchase order and enter into an agreement with SEAL Analytical Inc. (SEAL) to furnish, deliver, and install an automated discrete analyzer, peripheral equipment, preventive maintenance, and consumable supplies in the Analytical Laboratory at the Stickney Water Reclamation Plant. This purchase order will expire on December 31, 2024.
SEAL, the sole-service provider of the AQ400 Discrete Analyzer System (AQ400), consumables, training, and preventive maintenance, has submitted pricing for the services required. The AQ400 is being purchased to accommodate the increase in sample volume for total phosphorus analysis for required NPDES permits. The Industrial Waste Division is conducting an extensive interceptor flow monitoring study and ongoing sampling of the Calumet area Large Commercial Industrial Users to characterize current total phosphorus discharges. Currently existing AQ400 analyzers are being utilized successfully by the Analytical Laboratories Division and this additional instrument will provide greater capacity of phosphorus sample analyses.
The AQ400, while providing the automation of a robotic system, is the only discrete analyzer that delivers capability of a flow-through quartz cuvette, which maximizes the reproducibility of results, and is the only discrete analyzer that allows for use of cadmium reduction column, which is a cleaner and more cost-efficient method than the use of hydrazine or enzyme reduction based analytical methods that other analyzers use. Furthermore, the AQ400 is the only discrete analyzer on the market to employ a probe wash assembly which eliminates the risk of front-end contamination.
SEAL, the sole-service provider for the AQ400 Discrete Analyzer, peripheral equipment, preventive maintenance, and consumable supplies, has submitted pricing for the goods required. Inasmuch as SEAL is the only source of supply for the goods required, nothing would be gained by advertising for bids (Section 11.4 of the Purchasing Act).
SEAL 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.
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 SEAL in an amount not to exceed $59,523.00.
Funds for the 2023 expenditure, in the amount of $55,848.00, are available in Account 101-16000-634970. The estimated expenditure for 2024 is $3,675.00, in Account 101-16000-612970. Funds for the 2024 expenditure are 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:JC:PG:nj
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 15, 2023