TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF JUNE 26, 2025
COMMITTEE ON Procurement
Mr. John P. Murray, Acting Executive Director
Title
Issue purchase order and enter into a Collaborative Research Project with the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, pursuant to the terms of the Master Agreement on the Environmental Benefits and Use of Biosolids for Production of Industrial Hemp, estimated cost $90,261.00, Account 101-16000-612430, Requisition 1640403
Body
Dear Sir:
Authorization is requested to issue purchase order and enter into a collaborative research project with the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), pursuant to the terms of the Master Agreement (MA) on the environmental benefits and use of biosolids for the production of industrial hemp. On May 24, 2024, the Board granted authority to extend the MA through December 31, 2027. Approval is requested to conduct this two-year project in collaboration with UIUC which includes field studies at the UIUC research farm, a greenhouse study at the Cecil Lue-Hing Research and Development Complex, and a final report presenting an analysis of the results and recommendations for the use of biosolids in the production of industrial hemp. The research project will end on March 30, 2027.
In 2018, it became legal to grow industrial hemp with a license. Industrial hemp has gained increased attention due to numerous potential benefits to the environment. Notably, hemp sequesters carbon in biomass and offsets carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Hemp has also been shown to clean soil by removing contaminants. This collaborative research will help determine if hemp is a valuable crop for the District’s Biosolids Beneficial Use program. Objectives of this research include hemp phytoextraction potential for soil contaminants, such as organic compounds, and exploration of agricultural use of biosolids as a replacement of chemical fertilizers for industrial hemp production.
The principal investigator for the project will be Dr. Dokyoung Lee from the Department of Crop Sciences at the UIUC. Dr. Lee is best suited to conduct this collaborative research because he has extensive research experience in hemp cultivation and agronomic management. Dr. Lee has a license issued by the Illinois Department of Agriculture for his hemp research program, which will cover the work to be conducted at the District’s greenhouse.
The UIUC is a non-profit educational institution and is therefore not required to register with the State of Illinois.
The Multi-Project Labor Agreement (MPLA) is not applicable to this contract because the classification of work does not fall within the provisions of the MPLA.
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).
In view of the foregoing, it is requested that the Director of Procurement and Materials Management be authorized to issue a purchase order and enter into an agreement with the UIUC, in an amount not to exceed $90,261.00.
Funds for the 2025 expenditure in the amount of $40,141.00, are available in the Account 101-16000-612430. The estimated expenditures for 2026 and 2027 are $25,060.00 per year. Funds for the 2026 and 2027 expenditures are contingent on the Board of Commissioners’ approval of the District’s budget for those years.
Requested, Edward W. Podczerwinski, Director of Monitoring and Research, EWP:RA:AC:GT:jb
Recommended, Darlene A. LoCascio, Director of Procurement and Materials Management
Respectfully Submitted, Precious Brady-Davis, Chairperson 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 26, 2025