Primary Department: Purchasing
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Kimberly J. Williams, JD
Secondary Department: Public Health Services
Secondary Department Head/Elected Official: Leah Barton
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Contract - Renewal
Project ID (if applicable): 250217
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): Hach Company
MWBE Contracted Goal (if applicable): 0%
MWBE Current Participation (if applicable): 0%
Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal: 0% - Drop Shipped
Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable):
Justification for 0% Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): Choose an item.
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
title
Request for approval of a renewal option with Hach Company for wastewater surveillance equipment and testing for Public Health Services for the period of September 18, 2026 - September 17, 2027, at a cost of $828,584 (250217), Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal: 0% - Drop Shipped.
end
Background and Discussion:
Harris County Public Health (HCPH) operates a wastewater surveillance program to monitor community-level disease trends, including COVID-19, influenza, RSV, and other public health concerns. The program relies on automated composite samplers and associated equipment to collect representative wastewater samples across multiple locations throughout Harris County.
In September 2025, Commissioners Court approved Job No. 25/0217 for wastewater surveillance equipment and services, awarding the contract to Hach Company. This contract includes equipment, tubing, and a service agreement to support the operation and maintenance of deployed samplers.
The Hach equipment and service support have been used to maintain consistent sampling operations across all active sites. This request is to renew the existing service agreement to ensure continued functionality of the equipment, minimize gaps in sampling and reporting, and maintain seamless continuity in data collection.
Expected Impact:
Renewal of this agreement will ensure continued operation and maintenance of wastewater sampling equipment across all active sites. Reliable equipment performance is necessary to support consistent sample collection and maintain continuity in wastewater surveillance data.
Hach’s samplers are equipped with peristaltic pumps and refrigeration units that require specialized maintenance and technical support. Renewal of this agreement ensures continued functionality of this equipment and supports consistent sample collection across all sites. Without this agreement, the program risks increased equipment downtime, potential data gaps, and disruptions to routine monitoring activities that support public health awareness and response.
Alternative Options:
N/A
County Strategic Plan Goal: Choose an item.
County Strategic Plan Objective: Choose an item.
Justice/Safety Initiative (Goal 1): Choose an item.
Infrastructure Initiative (Goal 2): Choose an item.
Economy Initiative (Goal 3): Choose an item.
Health Initiative (Goal 4): Choose an item.
Climate/Resilience Initiative (Goal 5): Choose an item.
Housing Initiative (Goal 6): Choose an item.
Additional notes related to the Strategic Plan:
Prior Court Action (if any):
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Date |
Agenda Item # |
Action Taken |
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09/18/2025 |
465 |
Award |
Location: N/A
Address (if applicable):
Precinct(s): Choose an item.
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Fiscal and Personnel Summary |
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Grant |
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$828,584 |
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Total Existing Budget |
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$828,584 |
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Additional Budget Request (Requires Fiscal Review Request Form) |
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Total Funding Sources |
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Grants - Proposed Budget (For Grants Items only) |
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Local Match Source - Existing Budget: Choose an item. |
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Local Match Source - Additional Budget Request: Choose an item. |
$ |
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Grant Funds Applied for/Awarded (Total) |
$ |
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$ |
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Personnel (Fill out section only if requesting new Position Control Numbers (PCN)s) |
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Current Position Count for Service |
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Additional Positions Request |
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Total Personnel |
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County Attorney’s Office Legal Review (for Harris County Code Items only) |
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CAO Reviewer Name and Title |
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CAO Review Completion Date |
Click or tap to enter a date. |
Anticipated Court Date: 7/9/2026
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): 9/18/2026
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or ARPA related item
Contact(s) name, title, department: Jennifer Kiger, Director, OESED; Kennedy Harden, Senior Buyer, Harris County Purchasing
Attachments (if applicable): Letter