TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF APRIL 16, 2026
COMMITTEE ON PROCUREMENT
Mr. John P. Murray, Executive Director
Title
Issue purchase order to Hach Company to furnish and deliver Hach AS 950 Automatic Sampler Units and Accessories in an amount not to exceed $299,459.70, Account 101-16000-634970, Requisition 1655418
Body
Dear Sir:
Authorization is requested to issue a purchase order to Hach Company (Hach) to furnish and deliver forty-five (45) Hach AS 950 automatic sampler units and accessories to the Stickney Industrial Waste Division (IWD). This purchase order will expire on December 31, 2026.
The Hach AS 950 automatic sampler units will replace existing Hach equipment that is irreparable and beyond its operational life span. The IWD utilizes Hach flow meter monitoring equipment, and the Hach AS 950 automatic sampler units are the most compatible with this system. The programming capabilities of the Hach automatic sampler have proven to provide the most accurate and dependable wastewater collection across the various discharge conditions encountered by IWD field staff. Other automatic samplers have not demonstrated the same level of reliability or accuracy.
The Hach AS 950 automatic sampler is the only unit that offers the versatility required for the IWD’s fieldwork, which demands both time efficient and flexible programming. This capability results in financial savings by reducing the need for resampling due to missed samples or the loss of studies caused by equipment or programming failures.
The Hach AS 950 automatic sampler is primarily used to collect wastewater discharge samples from industrial users. The data obtained from these samples are used to determine an industrial user’s compliance with local and categorical pretreatment standards established by the Sewage and Waste Control Ordinance and the United States Environmental Protection Agency Pretreatment Program. The data also determine the District’s User Charge revenue.
In addition, the Hach AS 950 automatic sampler is used to perform sampling required under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits for the District’s water reclamation plants during significant rain events, as well as for various research projects conducted by the Monitoring and Research Department and the Maintenance & Operations Department.
Hach, the sole-service provider for the AS 950 automatic sampler units and accessories, has submitted pricing for the goods required. Inasmuch as Hach 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).
Hach is not registered to transact business in the State of Illinois, but has submitted a certificate of fact of good standing from the State of Colorado. The Director of Monitoring and Research has given approval to move forward with this vendor.
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 is not included, because Hach is the sole provider of the equipment.
In view of the foregoing, it is recommended that the Director of Procurement and Materials Management be authorized to issue a purchase order to Hach in an amount not to exceed $299,459.70.
Funds are available in Account 101-16000-634970.
Requested, Edward W. Podczerwinski, Director of Monitoring and Research, EWP:JW:DH:HS:lm
Recommended, Darlene A. LoCascio, Director of Procurement and Materials Management
Respectfully Submitted, Precious Brady-Davis, Chairperson of Procurement
Disposition of this agenda item will be documented in the official Regular Board Meeting Minutes of the Board of Commissioners for April 16, 2026