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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: David E. Schumacher, P.E., Superintendent of Water Production
DATE: November 19, 2020
SUBJECT:
A Resolution Authorizing purchases from IDEXX Laboratories, Inc., for budget year 2021 for the Water Production Division
PURPOSE:
To obtain authorization for various purchases from IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. (IDEXX), during the budget year 2021 totaling approximately $35,000.00.
BACKGROUND:
Since 2005, the Water Production Division (WPD) has purchased specific materials and supplies from IDEXX to complete detailed bacteriological testing to 1) meet the city's regulatory requirements; 2) for external parties for revenue; and 3) for treatment process monitoring.
DISCUSSION:
Over the past several years several changes have occurred which has led to a need to purchase additional quantities of these same supplies from IDEXX requiring City Council approval for purchases from one supplier greater than $25,000.00 Some of these changes are: 1) The modification of the city's Precautionary Localized Boil Order procedure which requires bacteriological sample clearance prior to placing a repaired water main back into active service; 2) The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has revised the testing protocol on which newly installed water mains are to be verified to insure proper disinfection; 3) The WPD Laboratory processes about 150 monthly bacteriological samples for approximately 17 external water supply customers. The processing of these external samples provides approximately $17,000 per year in off-setting revenue for the city.
As indicated by the attached sole-source letter from IDEXX, they are the sole supplier for the potable water supply market of the needed Colilert reagent, Coililert-18 reagent, IDEXX sample vessels, and the associated QA/QC controls for the testing. Accordingly, the WPD cites the City of Aurora Code of Ordinances, Exceptions to Competitive Bidding Requirement, Article 5, Sec 2-335 (a) (3), "...th...
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