Memorandum

City of Lawrence

City Manager’s Office

TO:              David L. Corliss, City Manager

CC:               Diane Stoddard, Assistant City Manager

FROM:          Britt Crum-Cano, Economic Development Coordinator

DATE:           April 25, 2012

RE:               Purchase of Equipment for BTBC Expansion Facility

Overview

The Bioscience and Technology Business Center (BTBC) is in the process of purchasing additional fixed-fume hood equipment for the BTBC Expansion Facility located at 15^th & Wakarusa.

In January of 2010, the City of Lawrence and Douglas County, Kansas purchased the West Oread Labs building at 4950 Research Parkway and entered into a long-term lease agreement with the LDCBA (Lawrence Douglas County Bioscience Authority, now known as the BTBC).  The facility is now called the Bioscience and Technology Business Center Expansion Facility (BTBC Expansion Facility). The City issued bonds for this project. 

The bond issuance included $600,000 for leasehold improvements, primarily HVAC related improvements. The improvements are broadly defined and include other capital improvements to the building.    Previous HVAC improvements have already been accomplished and currently, the remaining amount available for facility leasehold improvements is approximately $495,000. 

Improvements Requested

The BTBC recently announced a lease agreement with ADM for the BTBC expansion facility space.  As part of accommodating ADM, additional fixed-fume hood equipment is required for the laboratory space.  Requested equipment purchases total $21,853.39 according to the invoice provided. The City will issue a PO for the purchase since it is a City/County owned property and is eligible for sales tax exemption.  The purchase will be from a sole-source vendor from the University of Kansas (KU) contract with Fisher Scientific.  This company has substantial experience with KU equipment guidelines—an important consideration as KU is a substantial partner with the BTBC and assists them with Environment Health and Safety needs (e.g. hazardous waste disposal, safety guidelines, etc.)

City staff recommends this purchase and that proceeds from the remaining bond issuance improvement funds be used to fund the purchase.   

Action Requested

Authorize the purchase of fume hood equipment for the BTBC expansion facility in the amount of $21,853.39 from Fisher Scientific.