ORIGINAL ADVERTISED DATE:  February 10, 2023
* See addendum for deadline changes

PROJECT MANAGERS:  Robert Benson, P.E.

Sealed proposals will be received by the City of North Chicago for the project entitled 16^th Street and Kemble Avenue Transmission Main until 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 30, 2023 at the Building Department, 1850 Lewis Avenue, North Chicago, IL 60064. The Bids will be publicly opened and read aloud immediately afterwards in the Council Chambers.

A Mandatory Pre-Bid Conference will be held on Friday, February 24, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at the City Hall, 1850 Lewis Avenue, North Chicago, IL.  Bids will not be received, opened, or read from Bidders/Contractors that do not attend the Pre-Bid Conference.

Questions regarding the project received by 12:00 p.m. March 23, 2023, will be answered by addendum. Questions submitted after this deadline may not be answered prior to the close of the bidding period. All questions shall be submitted in writing to:

     Robert Benson, PE

     Project Manager

     b.benson@trotter-inc.com

Bids shall be received in a sealed envelope addressed to:

     City Engineer

     City of North Chicago

     1850 Lewis Avenue

     North Chicago, IL 60064

The sealed envelope shall be marked in the lower left-hand corner EXACTLY as follows:

     BID:    City Engineer

     City of North Chicago

     16^th Street and Kemble Avenue Transmission Main

Work Description:

Provide all labor, services and materials necessary for the construction of 16-inch, 12-inch, 8-inch, and 6-inch water main installed by open cut or jack and bore construction methods, including:

• pavement removal
• trench excavation
• water main pipe materials and installation
• valves and valve vaults
• fire hydrant assemblies including hydrant and auxiliary valve
• water service connections
• pipe bedding
• trench backfill
• pavement replacement
• driveway replacement
• curb and gutter replacement
• parkway restoration
• traffic control
• water main pressure testing and disinfection
• and all other work necessary for a complete and functional water main installation as shown, specified, or required. 

The Contract Documents may be inspected and purchased at:

     Trotter and Associates, Inc.

     38 W. Grand Avenue, Suite 300

     Fox Lake, Illinois 60020

     224/225–1300

Contact Amy Whitis at a.whitis@trotter-inc.com to schedule an appointment or to purchase the contract documents. Hard or electronic copies of the documents are available for purchase.

Payment for Contract Documents is non–refundable and shall be payable to Trotter and Associates, Inc. in the form of cash, certified check or money order. No partial sets of specifications or drawings will be issued.  The non–refundable cost for hard copy plans and specifications is $300.00. The non-refundable cost for electronic copy plans and specifications is $50.00. Addenda will be issued only to plan holders. 

Each bid shall be accompanied by a bid bond, bank draft, cashier's check or certified check payable to the order of the City of North Chicago, in an amount not less than ten (10) percent of the amount of the bid, as a guaranty that the bidder will execute the contract, if it is awarded, in conformity with the bid form. 

The Successful Bidder will be required to furnish Performance and Payment Bonds on forms provided in the Specifications and Contract Documents, each in an amount equal to 100 percent of the contract price. 

The Contractor shall pay prevailing wages in accordance with the Davis-Bacon Act (40 USC 276a through 276a-5) as defined by the U.S. Department of Labor, Local Ordinance and the Illinois Department of Labor Prevailing Wages for Lake County, whichever is greater. Rates can be obtained online at www.wdol.gov and www.state.il.us/Agency/idol/. 

The Contractor shall comply with the City of North Chicago Special Provisions for DBE Participation (see SECTION 00820 – SPECIAL PROVISIONS) and the requirements of the Illinois EPA Public Water Supply Loan Program (PWSLP). 

The Owner expressly reserves the right to reject any or all bids or to accept the one, which appears to be in the best interest of the Owner. The Owner expressly reserves the right to waive any informalities or technical irregularities in a bid if to do so is in the best interest of the Owner. 

Any contract or contracts awarded under this invitation for bids are expected to be funded in part by a loan from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA).  Neither the State of Illinois nor any of its departments, agencies, or employees is or will be a party to this invitation for bids or any resulting contract.  The procurement will be subject to regulations contained in the Procedures for Issuing Loans from the Public Water Supply Loan Program (35IAC Part 662), the Davis-Bacon Act (40 USC 276a through 276a-5) as defined by the United States Department of Labor, the Employment of Illinois Workers on Public Works Act (30 ILCS 570), the Illinois Works Job Program Act Apprenticeship Initiative.  This procurement is also subject to the loan recipient’s policy regarding the increased use of disadvantaged business enterprises.  The loan recipient’s policy requires all bidders to undertake specified affirmative efforts at least sixteen (16) days prior to bid opening.  The policy is contained in the specifications.

Bidders are also required to comply with the President’s Executive Order No. 11246, as amended.  The requirements for bidders and contractors under this order are explained in 41 CFR 60-4.  In addition, this procurement is subject to the “Use of American Iron and Steel” requirements as contained in Section 436 (a) – (f) of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014.

Final award of bid shall be contingent on the City of North Chicago receiving financing from the Public Water Supply Loan Program as administered by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. Per the IEPA’s Procedures for Issuing Loans from the Public Water Supply Revolving Fund Part 662.620, Section b, unless all bids are rejected, award shall be made to the low, responsive, responsible bidder after the bid evaluation has been submitted to the IEPA and written notice of IEPA approval has been received by the City of North Chicago.