7-SB-FP-04-2526 Tree and Brush Thinning Invitation to Bid, Terms and Conditions, Specs.pdf

To preserve and restore the nature of Kane County

1996 South Kirk Road, Suite 320, Geneva, Illinois 60134

Bill Lenert, President Benjamin Haberthur, Executive Director

(630) 232-5980 Fax: (630) 232-5924 www.kaneforest.com

INVITATION TO BID

Tree and Brush Thinning 14 Projects Within 11 Preserves

SB-FP-04-2526 July 17, 2025

The Forest Preserve District of Kane County Commission is Seeking a Contractor(s) for Tree and Brush Thinning for 14 Projects Within 11 Preserves. Each project will be awarded individually.

HOW TO BID: www.kaneforest.bonfirehub.com QUESTIONS: Via Euna (formerly Bonfire) by July 17, 2025 at 2:00pm CST SUBMISSION DEADLINE: August 7, 2025 at 2:00 pm CST (must submit online) BID OPENING: August 7, 2025 at 2:30 pm CST - District Boardroom PROJECT AWARD DATE: September 4, 2025 PROJECT COMPLETION DATE: June 19, 2026 BID REQUIREMENTS: Submit all required documents via Euna.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS: Bid Form (Contact, Affidavit of Corporation, Certification & Proposal) References Subcontractors Substance Abuse Statement

AT TIME OF AWARD: Performance Bond/Payment Bond Certificate of Insurance with Endorsements naming FPDKC as additional insured per contract Contract

PROJECT MANAGER: Jason Johnson, Manager of Natural Resources forvaw Cross-Out

1996 South Kirk Road, Suite 320, Geneva, Illinois 60134

Bill Lenert, President Benjamin Haberthur, Executive Director

(630) 232-5980 Fax: (630) 232-5924 www.kaneforest.com

INSTRUCTIONS TO BIDDERS - TERMS AND CONDITIONS

1. BID OPENING. Sealed Bids must be received as indicated on cover sheet. Bids received after this time will not be accepted or opened. Bids will be opened publicly and available for inspection immediately after the specified closing time. All interested parties are welcome to attend the bid opening. The bid opening will be held at the Forest Preserve District of Kane County Office, 1996 South Kirk Road, Suite 320, Geneva, IL 60134.

2. BID SUBMISSIONS. All bids must be submitted via www.vendor.bonfire.com, an online public bidding portal. Bids submitted in an otherwise manner will not be considered. Bids received after the close date and time specified per project details in Bonfire will not be accepted. It is the responsibility of the bidder to make sure their bid is submitted via Bonfire on time.

3. BID FORM PREPARATION. All blanks on the Bid Form must be completed in their entirety, typed or printed legibly in ink (black or blue ink only). In signing this bid, Bidder certifies this bid is genuine and not made in the interest or on behalf of any undisclosed person, firm or corporation and is not submitted in conformity with any agreement or rules of any group, association, organization, or corporation; Bidder has not directly or indirectly induced or solicited any other Bidder to submit a fraudulent or dishonest bid; Bidder has not solicited or induced any person, firm, or corporation to refrain from bidding; and Bidder has not sought by collusion to obtain for itself any other advantage over any other Bidder or over the District. All names must be typed or printed in ink below each signature. Bids by corporations must be executed in the corporate name by the president or vice-president (or by an authorized representative accompanied by evidence of authority to sign) and the corporate seal must be affixed and attested by the secretary or assistant secretary. The corporate address and state of incorporation must be shown below the signature.

Bids by partnerships must be executed in the partnership name and signed by a partner, whose title must appear under the signature and the official address of the partnership must be shown below the signature.

Bids shall be submitted before the close date and time via Bonfire as indicated in the project details and Advertisement for Bids.

http://www.kaneforest.com/ http://www.vendor.bonfire.com/

4. MODIFICATION/WITHDRAWAL OF BID. Bids may be modified or withdrawn by an appropriate document, duly executed (in the manner that a bid must be executed), and delivered to the Forest Preserve District of Kane County Office, 1996 South Kirk Road, Suite 320, Geneva, IL 60134, at any time prior to the opening of Bids. If, after the Bids are opened, any Bidder that files a duly signed, written notice with the District and promptly thereafter demonstrates, to the reasonable satisfaction of the District, that there was a material and substantial mistake in the preparation of its bid, that Bidder may, with consent of District, withdraw its bid and the bid security will be returned.

Thereafter, that Bidder will be disqualified from further bidding on the Work to be provided under the Contract Documents.

The Contractor certifies that, to the best of their knowledge, no officer or employee has been convicted of bribery or attempting to bribe an officer or employee of the Forest Preserve District of Kane County, nor has any officer or employee made an admission of guilt of such conduct which is a matter of record.

5. RESERVED RIGHTS. FOREST PRESERVE DISTRICT OF KANE COUNTY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO ACCEPT OR REJECT ANY OR ALL BIDS or to waive any informality or technicality in any bid in the interest of the District. If the District finds reason to disqualify or reject the apparent low Bidder, the District reserves the right to award the Contract to the next lowest responsible Bidder, or to rebid the entire Project, or to cancel the Project. All bids will remain subject to acceptance for 60 calendar days after the day of the bid opening; but the District may, in its sole discretion, release any bid and return the bid security prior to that date. The Forest Preserve District of Kane County will not be liable in any way for any costs incurred by respondents in replying to this bid.

6. DISCRETIONARY TERMINATION. The District, at its sole discretion, reserves the right to terminate this Contract or any part hereof at any time the District determines it necessary. Upon notification by the District of such termination, the Vendor shall immediately stop all Work hereunder, and shall immediately cause any of its suppliers or subcontractors to cease such Work. The Vendor shall be paid a percentage of the order price reflecting the percentage of the Work performed prior to the notice of termination. The Vendor shall not be paid for any Work done after receipt of the notice of termination, nor for any costs incurred by the Vendor's suppliers or subcontractors which Vendor could reasonably have avoided. The Forest Preserve District of Kane County shall be the sole judge as to the acceptability or quality of material bid.

7. TERMINATION FOR CAUSE. The District may terminate this Contract or any part hereof for cause in the event of any default by the Vendor, or if the Vendor fails to comply with any of the terms and conditions of the Contract. Late deliveries, deliveries of products which are defective or which do not conform to this Contract, and failure to provide the District, upon request, reasonable assurances of future performance, shall be reasons allowing the District to terminate this Contract for cause. In the event of termination for cause, the District shall not be liable to Vendor, for any amount, and Vendor shall be liable to the District for any and all damages, sustained by reason of the default which gave rise to the termination, including, but not limited to, all remedies available under the Illinois Uniform Commercial Code.

8. MODIFICATION OF AWARDED BID.

The Vendor and the District agree that no change order or other directive may be issued by the District which requires additional compensable Work to be performed, which Work causes the aggregate amount payable to exceed the amount appropriated for this Contract, unless the Vendor has been given a written assurance by the District that lawful appropriations to cover the costs of the additional Work have been made or unless such Work is covered under a remedy-granting provision in this Contract.

The Vendor and the District further agree that, regardless of any other provision of this Contract, the Vendor shall not be entitled to any additional compensation, whether by law or equity, unless prior to commencing the additional Work, the Vendor was given a written change order describing the additional compensable Work to be performed, and setting forth the amount of compensation to be paid, which change order was signed by the District's Director of Finance and Executive Director.

The District shall have the right at any time to make changes in drawings, designs, specifications, materials, packaging, time, and place of delivery and method of transportation. If any such changes cause an increase or decrease in the cost, or the time required for the performance, an equitable adjustment may be made and this Contract shall be modified in writing accordingly. Vendor agrees to accept any such changes subject to this paragraph.

The Forest Preserve District of Kane County is exempt from paying Illinois Retailers Occupation Tax and Federal Excise Tax.

9. PAYMENT.

As part of the award of this contract, the District shall reserve the right to set the payment terms, prior to the signing of the Contract. Retention of 5% will be held by the District until examination of the site is conducted by authorized representatives of the District. Payment shall be made to the Contractor by the District only after the Contractor has fully performed the Contract Work.

10. WARRANTY.

Contractor and/or Seller (as case may be) expressly warrants that all goods and services (real property and all structures thereon) will conform to the drawings, materials, performance, and any other specifications, samples, or other descriptions furnished by the District, and will be fit and sufficient for the purpose intended, merchantable, of good material and workmanship. Contractor and/or Seller (as case may be) agrees that these warranties shall run to Forest Preserve District of Kane County, its successor, assigns, customers, and users of the products or services, and that these warranties shall survive acceptance of the goods or performance of the services.

Contractor and/or Servicer and/or Seller shall provide to the Forest Preserve District of Kane County proof of adequate insurance coverage to satisfy the indemnification provisions herein.

11. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY.

WHEREAS, the Act, upon which Article VI, Section 2-211 of the County Code is based, has been repealed and superseded by the Illinois Human Rights Act (Ill. Rev. Stat. Ch. 68, Sec. 1-101, et seq.

1987); and

WHEREAS, Forest Preserve District of Kane County is required to comply with the Illinois Human Rights Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder by the Illinois Human Rights Commission, and

WHEREAS, the rules and regulations promulgated by the Human Rights Commission require that the Equal Employment Opportunity Clause shall be deemed to be a part of every public contract.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Forest Preserve District of Kane County that Article VI, Section 2-211 of the Kane County Code, be amended to read as follows;

The equal employment opportunity clause required by the Illinois Human Rights Commission is hereby incorporated by reference in all contracts made by the Forest Preserve District of Kane County and in all bid specifications therefore furnished by the District to all bidders, contractors, and sub-contractors.

12. "APPROVED EQUAL".

If and wherever in the specifications reference is made to a brand name, catalog number, etc., it is only for the purpose of establishing a grade or quality required. Since the Forest Preserve District of Kane County does not wish to rule out other competition, the phrase "or approved equal" is added.

An "approved equal" is identical or superior in grade or quality. The Forest Preserve District of Kane County will be the sole judge as to acceptability of an "approved equal."

By signing this bid document, the Bidder hereby acknowledges and certifies that, should the bid submitted by the Bidder be the same (identical) to the bid of another Bidder, the District shall be the sole judge as to the successful qualified low Bidder. The District shall be the sole judge as to "same or identical" in any bids received.

13. PATENTS AND COPYRIGHTS.Vendor agrees upon receipt of notification to promptly assume full responsibility for defense of any suit or proceeding which may be brought against the District or its agents, customers, or other vendors, for alleged patent or copyright infringement, as well as for any alleged unfair competition resulting from similarity in design, trademark or appearance of goods, furnished hereunder, and Vendor further agrees to indemnify the District, its agents and customers, against any and all expenses, losses, royalties, profits, and damages, including court costs and attorney's fees, resulting from any such suit or proceeding, including any settlement. The District may be represented by and actively participate through its own counsel in any such suit or proceeding, if it so desires, and the costs of such representation shall be paid by Vendor.

14. DEFAULT.

In case of default of the Contractor, the Forest Preserve District of Kane County may procure the items and services from other sources and hold the Contractor responsible for any excess cost occasioned thereby.

By signing the bid document, the Bidder hereby certifies that they are not barred from bidding on this contract as a result of a violation of Article 33E, Public Contracts of the Illinois Criminal Code of 1961, as amended (IL Revised Statutes Ch.38, Par.33E-1,et seq.).

15. LIQUIDATED DAMAGES.

Failure to complete this project by the required completion dates will result in $500.00 a day in liquidation damages until the project is completed to the satisfaction of the Forest Preserve District of Kane County. Contractor shall not damage trees which shall remain in place. Damage to trees such as mature oaks, hickory, walnut etc. shall be assessed at $400.00 per caliper inch, measured 4 1/2 feet above the ground. Damage charges will be assessed directly to the Contractor.

16. QUALIFICATIONS OF BIDDERS.

To demonstrate qualifications to perform the Work, each Bidder must be prepared to submit, within three working days after bid opening, upon Owner's request, detailed written evidence; such as financial data, previous experience, present comments, and other such data that may be called for in the Bidder's Qualifications Statement. Each bid must contain evidence of Bidder's qualification to do business in the State of Illinois and a certification that the Bidder is not barred from bidding on the Work as a result of previously violating either Section 33E-3 or 33E-4 of Article 33E of the Criminal Code of 1961. Bidders must be experienced in work referenced in this bid. Bidders must provide a list of similar type projects.

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PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS

TREE & BRUSH THINNING

1.0 GENERAL

1.1 PROJECT OVERVIEW

See Project Overview at “Defined Terms” page, attached hereto. Defined terms appear in bold herein.

1.2 BASIS OF PAYMENT

This work shall be paid for on a total not-to-exceed basis. The proposed price shall include all material, equipment, and labor necessary to complete the work. The District shall pay 90% of the contract upon the satisfactory completion of the Tree Cutting Period. The remaining 10% shall be held until the Project Deadline and shall only be released when the Performance

Standard stated herein is achieved.

1.3 PROJECT DEADLINE

All work on this project must be complete by the Project Deadline.

1.4 CONTRACTOR QUALIFICATIONS

The Contractor shall have a valid Illinois Department of Agriculture Commercial Pesticide

Applicators License. All workers under the Contractor’s supervision shall have a Commercial

Pesticide Applicator or Commercial Pesticide Operator license registered to the contractor’s

Commercial Pesticide Applicators License. Copies of all Applicator’s and Operator’s licenses must be provided to the District prior to the commencement of any field work. The Contractor shall be able to provide the specified equipment and manpower to successfully complete all phases of the job(s) in the time frame indicated herein. Prospective contractors must demonstrate past experience working on weed management in State Nature Preserves and demonstrate staff has an advanced knowledge of regional flora.

2.0 MATERIALS

2.1 MACHINERY

a) The Contractor shall supply and primarily utilize Authorized Machinery on this project.

b) All equipment and work clothing, including boots, shall be clean and free of any seeds, soil, and debris prior to entering or leaving work area to prevent the spreading of invasive species within and among job sites and other areas where the Contractor may have worked.

c) Large machinery must be inspected by Project Manager prior to unloading from the trailer at the project location and be found to be clean and free of seeds, soil, and debris.

d) Project Manager is not immediately available to inspect equipment. Therefore, the Contractor shall coordinate equipment inspection times and locations at least 24 hours in advance.

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2.2 HERBICIDE

a) All chemicals necessary for completion of the contract shall be provided by the Contractor.

b) The Contractor shall comply with all Herbicide Requirements.

c) Surfactant shall be added at the highest recommended rate for application to Target Species.

d) The Contractor shall comply with all pesticide label guidelines and requirements.

e) The Contractor shall mix only the amount of solution to be used during that day’s work, as reduced activity may result from use of leftover solutions. The Contractor shall not apply herbicide solution mixed on previous days.

f) All chemical containers and herbicide application equipment must be clearly labeled with the chemical name and concentration. All herbicide must be dyed in order to determine where chemicals have been sprayed.

g) The Project Manager has the right to designate mixing and staging areas at the preserve after the contract is awarded. All herbicide mixing, tank cleaning, and equipment maintenance should be performed within these staging areas to limit the potential for damage in the event of a spill.

h) Extreme care must be taken to avoid contamination of non-target species with herbicides and herbicide spills within the project area. Damage to non-target species is a concern of the District;

as such the Contractor shall follow all applicable label recommendations for drift management.

The Contractor shall not spray herbicide when winds exceed 12 mph. Additionally, low-pressure sprayers and nozzles that produce larger droplets are desirable to reduce the likelihood of drift.

Application should not occur on days where the chance for precipitation is 30% or higher. The

District reserves the right to prohibit spraying on days where weather conditions are not favorable. Significant damage to non-target species will result in the termination of the contract and contract obligations.

2.3 SAFETY EQUIPMENT

a) The Contractor shall ensure that the following safety equipment is available at the project site at all times for personnel involved in this project:

• First Aid Kit

• Portable emergency eye wash station

• Chemical spill kit

• All required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• All appropriate herbicide labels and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for the chemicals being applied

b) All of the work crew MUST wear blaze orange or high visibility yellow reflective vests and appropriate Personal Protective Equipment at all times when in the preserve.

2.4 PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS

The Contractor shall have a copy of these Project Specifications, with attachments, available at the project site at all times.

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3.0 EXECUTION

3.1 PROJECT TIME FRAME

a) No work may begin until commencement of the Tree Cutting Period. The Contractor shall commence work as soon after commencement of the Tree Cutting Period as the soils are dry and/or frozen enough to support Authorized Machinery used on the project. The Contractor will notify the Project Manager at least 24 hours in advance of beginning work.

b) All tree and brush felling must be completed by the end of the Tree Cutting Period.

c) All herbiciding of re-sprouts must be completed by the Re-Sprout Herbicide Treatment

Completion Date.

d) All work on the project must be completed and the Performance Standard achieved by the

Project Deadline. No payments shall be issued to the Contractor until satisfactory completion of the tree cutting work.

e) The Contractor shall not perform project work on Saturdays or Sundays.

3.2 TREE & BRUSH REMOVAL

a) Brush and tree Target Species shall be cut or mowed to ground level primarily using Authorized

Machinery.

b) The Contractor shall hand-cut Target Species growing near Non-Target Species as necessary to prevent damage of Non-Target Species.

c) Shredded material must be six inches or smaller in length and create a mat no deeper than three inches deep.

3.3 HERBICIDE TREATMENT

a) The Contractor must treat all stumps with herbicide to prevent their re-sprouting. Initial herbicide treatment for all cut stumps or shattered stems must occur the same day they were cut or mowed.

b) Herbicide shall be applied only when weather conditions permit. If weather conditions prevent treatment of stumps on the same day they were cut, the Contractor will be required at a later date to re-cut stumps and apply herbicide, or to foliar spray stump re-sprouts. District staff will inspect cutting areas to ensure stumps have been treated with herbicide.

c) The District will request meeting with the Contractor on-site if there is a need to re-cut and retreat any stumps that were previously cut but not treated with herbicide.

3.4 SAFETY

a) It shall be the responsibility of the Contractor to adhere to all applicable District and OSHA safety regulations and guidelines, as well as Federal Construction Safety and Health Standards while carrying out activities related to this project.

b) Herbicide applicators shall, at all times, have on the work site the appropriate herbicide labels and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for the chemicals being applied. All herbicide applications shall follow appropriate label instructions.

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c) Herbicide applicators and operators should use all applicable and standard personal protective equipment during work and shall meet OSHA requirements.

3.5 COMMUNICATION

a) Communication and coordination with the Project Manager must be made for on-site inspection prior to the start of work to formalize access points, appropriate staging areas, site conditions for work, chemical selection, etc.

b) The Contractor’s foreman shall attend progress meetings at times and locations designated by the Project Manager to discuss work progress and other issues.

c) The Project Manager must be given a 24-hour notice prior to the start of any work.

d) The Project Manager reserves the right to restrict the Contractor’s access to the Project Area with 24-hours’ notice.

e) The Project Manager must be immediately notified if more than 1 oz. of herbicide concentrate is spilled near the project site.

3.6 SIGNAGE

During all times of machine operations, the Contractor must clearly post at least two professionally made 24” x 24” blaze orange signs indicating “TREE CLEARING AHEAD” or

“CAUTION MACHINERY WORK AREA.” During all times of herbicide application, the

Contractor must place at least two professionally made 24” x 24” blaze orange signs warning the public of herbicide applications. Signs must contain wording such as “CAUTION

HERBICIDE WORK AHEAD” or similar wording as approved by the District.

3.7 ACCESS

The Contractor shall limit vehicular access to paved roads and routes approved by the Project

Manager.

3.8 PERFORMANCE STANDARD

a) The Contractor shall contact and schedule a final on-site meeting with the Project

Manager when the Contractor assesses that they have achieved the Performance

Standard.

b) The percent kill will be evaluated during a joint meeting with the Project Manager and the Contractor no less than 10 days after the final herbicide treatment (which shall occur no later than the Project Deadline).

c) If the project goal kill rate is not met, then the Contractor will be responsible for additional foliar herbicide treatments until the necessary kill rate is achieved. When the Project

Manager certifies that the Performance Standard is met, then the Contractor may submit an invoice to release the retainage.

d) The Contractor is responsible for any expenses which the District may incur as a result of inadequate treatment where follow-up is required to meet the project goal.

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4.0 REPORTING

The Contractor shall complete an up-to-date herbicide log detailing the kind and amount of herbicide applied each day. The District has provided the Contractor with a Daily Herbicide

Report Form (attached hereto). The complete current Daily Herbicide Report Forms must be submitted to District Headquarters via fax or electronic copy upon demand and at Project

Completion.

5.0 DAMAGES

5.1 DAMAGES – General

The Contractor shall be held solely responsible for any claims of damages, foreseen or unforeseen, resulting from the performance of the Contract, including, but not limited to, the following damages.

5.2 DAMAGE TO NON-TARGET TREES

The Contractor shall not damage Non-Target Species trees. Damage to Non-Target Species shall be assessed at $400.00 per caliper inch, measured 4.5 feet above the ground. Damage charges will be assessed directly to the Contractor.

5.3 DAMAGE TO TURF

Repairs for damage to turf grass by machinery operated by the Contractor shall be the sole responsibility of the Contractor. Repairs include, but are not limited to, filling ruts, adding soil, gill raking, hand raking, leveling, and seeding or installing and watering sod.

5.4 PAVED SURFACES

The Contractor shall not damage roadway surfaces, parking areas, trails, or roadway shoulders with machinery used on this project. Repair of any and all damaged roadway, shoulder, or parking area asphalt or gravel base is the sole responsibility of the Contractor and shall be performed in accordance with IDOT and ASTM paving standards.

5.5 SOIL COMPACTION & RUTS

Soil compaction by equipment is a concern to the District. To avoid rut formations, work can commence only if soil is frozen to sufficient depth (as determined by the District).

In the event that ruts are created by the Contractor during the course of this project, the

Contractor will be responsible for repairing all ruts to the satisfaction of the District at least one week before the Project Deadline. For the purposes of this project, ruts are defined as a soil impression from a tire or track, deeper than 2 inches below the original soil grade.

5.6 DAMAGE TO ADJACENT LANDS

The Contractor shall not cross the established limits of the Project Area to limb, trim, apply herbicide to, or otherwise remove trees, brush, vines, or obstructions from property adjoining

District property. The Contractor is responsible for verifying boundary lines before work begins.

If damage to private property occurs as a result of the Contractor’s operations, then the

Contractor shall pay any and all damages.

DEFINED TERMS – PROJECT 1

Project Overview:

The District seeks a qualified firm using specific heavy-duty forestry clearing equipment to mow all invasive seedling, sapling, and mature trees and shrubs to ground level, and as necessary hand cutting brush growing around mature trees to be saved within a 62.4-acre prairie in the

Aurora West Forest Preserve located in Sugar Grove, IL (see attached County Locator Map).

The Contractor may request that District staff mark actual project boundaries on the ground with paint and flagging tape.

The objectives of this project are to remove woody trees and shrubs up to 6-inch diameter at breast height (dbh) in a degraded prairie restoration, and to greatly reduce their ability to reinvade the area via seed or re-sprouting.

District staff may delineate certain sensitive and high–quality areas with yellow “Caution” tape.

Machinery is not permitted within these areas under any circumstances. Contactors violating this restriction may face cancellation of the contract and revocation of payment owed if damage to these areas occurs.

Stump grinding below grade is not required in this project. The Contractor will be responsible for the cutting and removal of invasive woody brush within the project area. Additionally, all stumps created must be treated with herbicide to prevent re-sprouting.

Timeframes:

- Tree Cutting Period: 11/3/2025 – 3/13/2026

- Re-Sprout Herbicide Treatment Completion Date: First foliar treatment must be completed by 5/22/2026

- Project Deadline: 6/19/2026

Performance Standard: At least 95% of stumps and re-sprouts dead at Project Deadline.

Project Area: See attached Project Area Map.

Project Manager: The Forest Preserve District of Kane County’s Natural Resource Manager, Jason Johnson.

Authorized Machinery: All cutting of material shall be completed via mechanical (e.g., tracked skid-loader, forestry mower, tractor and batwing mower) methods. In general, mechanical cutting equipment with a ground pressure rating of greater than 9.0 psi will not be allowed unless the

Contractor can adequately demonstrate that the use of such equipment will not cause adverse rutting/soil compaction to the work site and will not damage the pavement adjacent to the work site. Any mechanized clearing equipment must be approved for use on the work site prior to its implementation. Rubber tired Skid-steers with aftermarket track covers are not allowed on this project.

Herbicide Requirements:

- Stump and Brush Stub Spraying: The Contractor shall only use an aquatic-rated, glyphosate-based herbicide (Rodeo, Aqua Neat, Glypro, or approved equal) diluted with water to a 30% solution with a blue marker dye added for visibility or an ester formulation of triclopyr

(i.e. Garlon 4 Ultra) diluted with bark oil to a 30% solution for stump treatments. A red marker dye must be mixed with the triclopyr herbicide so that treated stumps will be apparent. The

Contractor must obtain Project Manager’s prior approval of any herbicide to be used.

- Foliar Spraying: The Contractor shall only use an aquatic-rated, glyphosate-based herbicide

(Rodeo, Aqua Neat, Glypro, or approved equal), an amine formulation of triclopyr (i.e. Garlon

3A, Tahoe 3A, Element 3A), or a choline salt formulation of triclopyr (i.e. Vastlan) diluted with water to a 2.5% - 5% solution for foliar treatments. A blue marker dye must be mixed with the herbicide so that treated re-sprouts will be apparent. The Contractor must obtain Project

Manager’s prior approval of any herbicide to be used.

Target Species:

The Contractor shall mow and shred all trees and shrubs up to and including 6” dbh, excluding

Non-Target Species.

Non-Target Species:

- Any trees and shrubs marked with “DO NOT CUT” tape

- Hickories (Carya spp.)

- Oaks (Quercus spp.)

The Contractor shall not fell any hickories, oaks, or trees marked with “DO NOT CUT” tape.

PROJECT AREA MAP – PROJECT 1

PROJECT AREA MAP – PROJECT 1

DEFINED TERMS – PROJECT 2

all invasive seedling, sapling, and mature trees and shrubs to ground level, and as necessary hand cutting brush growing around mature trees to be saved within a 53-acre prairie in the

Burnidge Forest Preserve located in Elgin, IL (see attached County Locator Map). The

Contractor may request that District staff mark actual project boundaries on the ground with paint and flagging tape.

The objectives of this project are to remove woody trees and shrubs up to 6-inch diameter at breast height (dbh) in a degraded prairie restoration, and to greatly reduce their ability to reinvade the area via seed or re-sprouting.

District staff may delineate certain sensitive and high–quality areas with yellow “Caution” tape.

Machinery is not permitted within these areas under any circumstances. Contactors violating this restriction may face cancellation of the contract and revocation of payment owed if damage to these areas occurs.

Stump grinding below grade is not required in this project. The Contractor will be responsible for the cutting and removal of invasive woody brush within the project area. Additionally, all stumps created must be treated with herbicide to prevent re-sprouting.

Timeframes:

- Tree Cutting Period: 11/3/2025 – 3/13/2026

- Re-Sprout Herbicide Treatment Completion Date: First foliar treatment must be completed by 5/22/2026

- Project Deadline: 6/19/2026

Performance Standard: At least 95% of stumps and re-sprouts dead at Project Deadline.

Project Area: See attached Project Area Map.

Project Manager: The Forest Preserve District of Kane County’s Natural Resource Manager, Jason Johnson.

Authorized Machinery: All cutting of material shall be completed via mechanical (e.g., tracked skid-loader, forestry mower, tractor and batwing mower) methods. In general, mechanical cutting equipment with a ground pressure rating of greater than 9.0 psi will not be allowed unless the

Contractor can adequately demonstrate that the use of such equipment will not cause adverse rutting/soil compaction to the work site and will not damage the pavement adjacent to the work site. Any mechanized clearing equipment must be approved for use on the work site prior to its

- Stump and Brush Stub Spraying: The Contractor shall only use an aquatic-rated, glyphosate-based herbicide (Rodeo, Aqua Neat, Glypro, or approved equal) diluted with water to a 30% solution with a blue marker dye added for visibility or an ester formulation of triclopyr

(i.e. Garlon 4 Ultra) diluted with bark oil to a 30% solution for stump treatments. A red marker dye must be mixed with the triclopyr herbicide so that treated stumps will be apparent. The

Contractor must obtain Project Manager’s prior approval of any herbicide to be used.

- Foliar Spraying: The Contractor shall only use an aquatic-rated, glyphosate-based herbicide

(Rodeo, Aqua Neat, Glypro, or approved equal), an amine formulation of triclopyr (i.e. Garlon

3A, Tahoe 3A, Element 3A), or a choline salt formulation of triclopyr (i.e. Vastlan) diluted with water to a 2.5% - 5% solution for foliar treatments. A blue marker dye must be mixed with the herbicide so that treated re-sprouts will be apparent. The Contractor must obtain Project

Manager’s prior approval of any herbicide to be used.

Target Species:

The Contractor shall mow and shred all trees and shrubs up to and including 6” dbh, excluding

Non-Target Species.

Non-Target Species:

- Any trees and shrubs marked with “DO NOT CUT” tape

- Dogwoods (Cornus spp.)

- Hickories (Carya spp.)

PROJECT AREA MAP – PROJECT 2

COUNTY LOCATOR MAP – PROJECT 2

DEFINED TERMS – PROJECT 3

all invasive seedling, sapling, and mature trees and shrubs to ground level, and as necessary hand cutting brush growing around mature trees to be saved within a 77.6-acre prairie in the Dick

Young Forest Preserve located in Batavia, IL (see attached County Locator Map). The

Contractor may request that District staff mark actual project boundaries on the ground with paint and flagging tape.

The objectives of this project are to remove woody trees and shrubs up to 6-inch diameter at breast height (dbh) in a degraded prairie restoration, and to greatly reduce their ability to reinvade the area via seed or re-sprouting.

District staff may delineate certain sensitive and high–quality areas with yellow “Caution” tape.

Machinery is not permitted within these areas under any circumstances. Contactors violating this restriction may face cancellation of the contract and revocation of payment owed if damage to these areas occurs.

Stump grinding below grade is not required in this project. The Contractor will be responsible for the cutting and removal of invasive woody brush within the project area. Additionally, all stumps created must be treated with herbicide to prevent re-sprouting.

Timeframes:

- Tree Cutting Period: 11/3/2025 – 3/13/2026

- Re-Sprout Herbicide Treatment Completion Date: First foliar treatment must be completed by 5/22/2026

- Project Deadline: 6/19/2026

Performance Standard: At least 95% of stumps and re-sprouts dead at Project Deadline.

Project Area: See attached Project Area Map.

Project Manager: The Forest Preserve District of Kane County’s Natural Resource Manager, Jason Johnson.

Authorized Machinery: All cutting of material shall be completed via mechanical (e.g., tracked skid-loader, forestry mower, tractor and batwing mower) methods. In general, mechanical cutting equipment with a ground pressure rating of greater than 9.0 psi will not be allowed unless the

Contractor can adequately demonstrate that the use of such equipment will not cause adverse rutting/soil compaction to the work site and will not damage the pavement adjacent to the work site. Any mechanized clearing equipment must be approved for use on the work site prior to its

- Stump and Brush Stub Spraying: The Contractor shall only use an aquatic-rated, glyphosate-based herbicide (Rodeo, Aqua Neat, Glypro, or approved equal) diluted with water to a 30% solution with a blue marker dye added for visibility or an ester formulation of triclopyr

(i.e. Garlon 4 Ultra) diluted with bark oil to a 30% solution for stump treatments. A red marker dye must be mixed with the triclopyr herbicide so that treated stumps will be apparent. The

Contractor must obtain Project Manager’s prior approval of any herbicide to be used.

- Foliar Spraying: The Contractor shall only use an aquatic-rated, glyphosate-based herbicide

(Rodeo, Aqua Neat, Glypro, or approved equal), an amine formulation of triclopyr (i.e. Garlon

3A, Tahoe 3A, Element 3A), or a choline salt formulation of triclopyr (i.e. Vastlan) diluted with water to a 2.5% - 5% solution for foliar treatments. A blue marker dye must be mixed with the herbicide so that treated re-sprouts will be apparent. The Contractor must obtain Project

Manager’s prior approval of any herbicide to be used.

Target Species:

The Contractor shall mow and shred all trees and shrubs up to and including 6” dbh, excluding

Non-Target Species.

Non-Target Species:

- Any trees and shrubs marked with “DO NOT CUT” tape

- Hickories (Carya spp.)

PROJECT AREA MAP – PROJECT 3

PROJECT AREA MAP – PROJECT 3

DEFINED TERMS – PROJECT 4

all invasive seedling, sapling, and mature trees and shrubs to ground level, and as necessary hand cutting brush growing around mature trees to be saved within a 42.3-acre prairie in the

Schweitzer Woods Forest Preserve located in West Dundee, IL (see attached County Locator

Map). The Contractor may request that District staff mark actual project boundaries on the ground with paint and flagging tape.

The objectives of this project are to remove woody trees and shrubs up to 6-inch diameter at breast height (dbh) in a degraded prairie restoration, and to greatly reduce their ability to reinvade the area via seed or re-sprouting.

District staff may delineate certain sensitive and high–quality areas with yellow “Caution” tape.

Machinery is not permitted within these areas under any circumstances. Contactors violating this restriction may face cancellation of the contract and revocation of payment owed if damage to these areas occurs.

Stump grinding below grade is not required in this project. The Contractor will be responsible for the cutting and removal of invasive woody brush within the project area. Additionally, all stumps created must be treated with herbicide to prevent re-sprouting.

Timeframes:

- Tree Cutting Period: 11/3/2025 – 3/13/2026

- Re-Sprout Herbicide Treatment Completion Date: First foliar treatment must be completed by 5/22/2026

- Project Deadline: 6/19/2026

Performance Standard: At least 95% of stumps and re-sprouts dead at Project Deadline.

Project Area: See attached Project Area Map.

Project Manager: The Forest Preserve District of Kane County’s Natural Resource Manager, Jason Johnson.

Authorized Machinery: All cutting of material shall be completed via mechanical (e.g., tracked skid-loader, forestry mower, tractor and batwing mower) methods. In general, mechanical cutting equipment with a ground pressure rating of greater than 9.0 psi will not be allowed unless the

Contractor can adequately demonstrate that the use of such equipment will not cause adverse rutting/soil compaction to the work site and will not damage the pavement adjacent to the work site. Any mechanized clearing equipment must be approved for use on the work site prior to its

- Stump and Brush Stub Spraying: The Contractor shall only use an aquatic-rated, glyphosate-based herbicide (Rodeo, Aqua Neat, Glypro, or approved equal) diluted with water to a 30% solution with a blue marker dye added for visibility or an ester formulation of triclopyr

(i.e. Garlon 4 Ultra) diluted with bark oil to a 30% solution for stump treatments. A red marker dye must be mixed with the triclopyr herbicide so that treated stumps will be apparent. The

Contractor must obtain Project Manager’s prior approval of any herbicide to be used.

- Foliar Spraying: The Contractor shall only use an aquatic-rated, glyphosate-based herbicide

(Rodeo, Aqua Neat, Glypro, or approved equal), an amine formulation of triclopyr (i.e. Garlon

3A, Tahoe 3A, Element 3A), or a choline salt formulation of triclopyr (i.e. Vastlan) diluted with water to a 2.5% - 5% solution for foliar treatments. A blue marker dye must be mixed with the herbicide so that treated re-sprouts will be apparent. The Contractor must obtain Project

Manager’s prior approval of any herbicide to be used.

Target Species:

The Contractor shall mow and shred all trees and shrubs up to and including 6” dbh, excluding

Non-Target Species.

Non-Target Species:

- Any trees and shrubs marked with “DO NOT CUT” tape

- Hickories (Carya spp.)

PROJECT AREA MAP – PROJECT 4

PROJECT AREA MAP – PROJECT 4

DEFINED TERMS – PROJECT 5

all non-native seedling, sapling, and mature shrubs to ground level, and as necessary hand cutting brush growing around mature trees to be saved within a 46.7-acre degraded oak-hickory woodland in the Bliss Woods Forest Preserve located in Sugar Grove, IL (see attached County

Locator Map). The Contractor may request that District staff mark actual project boundaries on the ground with paint and flagging tape.

Prospective contractors must demonstrate past experience working on weed management in

State Nature Preserves and demonstrate staff has an advanced knowledge of regional flora.

The objectives of this project are to remove non-native brush and small mesic trees in a degraded oak woodland and to greatly reduce their ability to reinvade the area via seed or re-sprouting.

District staff may delineate certain sensitive and high–quality areas with yellow “Caution” tape.

Machinery is not permitted within these areas under any circumstances. Contactors violating this restriction may face cancellation of the contract and revocation of payment owed if damage to these areas occurs. The ground is frequently saturated and many ephemeral wetlands exist in the project area. Frozen ground will be required in order to work on the site to prevent damage to underlying soils.

Stump grinding below grade is not required in this project. The Contractor will be responsible for the cutting and removal of invasive woody brush within the project area. Additionally, all stumps created must be treated with herbicide to prevent re-sprouting.

Timeframes:

- Tree Cutting Period: 12/1/2025 – 3/13/2026

- Re-Sprout Herbicide Treatment Completion Date: First foliar treatment must be completed by 5/22/2026

- Project Deadline: 6/19/2026

Performance Standard: At least 95% of stumps and re-sprouts dead at Project Deadline.

Project Area: See attached Project Area Map.

Project Manager: The Forest Preserve District of Kane County’s Natural Resource Manager, Jason Johnson.

Authorized Machinery: Heavy duty, low ground pressure professional grade forestry clearing machinery such as a low-ground pressure, rubber tracked skid-steer with FECON style rotary-drum forestry mower. Only skid-steers with full-time dedicated rubber tracks and dedicated bogie wheel carriage units shall be allowed on the job. Rubber tired Skid-steers with aftermarket rubber track covers are not allowed on this project. Hydro-axe, Brown bear mowers, and large tracked style machines are not permitted on this job.

- Stump and Brush Stub Spraying: The Contractor shall only use an aquatic-rated, glyphosate-based herbicide (Rodeo, Aqua Neat, Glypro, or approved equal) or an amine formulation of triclopyr (i.e. Garlon 3A, Tahoe 3A, Element 3A) diluted with water to a 30% solution for stump treatments. A blue marker dye must be mixed with the herbicide so that treated stumps will be apparent. The Contractor must obtain Project Manager’s prior approval of any herbicide to be used.

- Foliar Spraying: The Contractor shall only use an aquatic-rated, glyphosate-based herbicide

(Rodeo, Aqua Neat, Glypro, or approved equal), an amine formulation of triclopyr (i.e. Garlon

3A, Tahoe 3A, Element 3A), or a choline salt formulation of triclopyr (i.e. Vastlan) diluted with water to a 2.5% - 5% solution for foliar treatments. A blue marker dye must be mixed with the herbicide so that treated re-sprouts will be apparent. The Contractor must obtain Project

Manager’s prior approval of any herbicide to be used.

Target Species:

Class 1:

- Autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata)

- Black alder (Alnus glutinosa)

- Burning bush (Euonymus alatus)

- Callery pear (Pyrus calleryana)

- Common buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica)

- Dense clusters of Raspberry and Blackberry (Rubus spp.)

- Glossy buckthorn (Frangula alnus)

- Highbush cranberry (Viburnum opulus)

- Honeysuckle (Lonicera spp.)

- Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii)

- Multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora)

- Oriental bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus)

- Red cedar (Juniperus virginiana)

- Sandbar willow (Salix interior)

- Tree-of-Heaven (Ailanthus altissima)

- White mulberry (Morus alba)

The Contractor shall cut or mow and shred all sizes of Class 1 trees and shrubs.

Class 2:

- Maples (Acer spp.)

- Ash (Fraxinus spp.)

- Basswood (Tilia Americana)

- Black cherry (Prunus serotina)

- Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia)

- Black walnut (Juglans nigra)

- Box elder (Acer negundo)

- Cottonwood (Populus deltoides)

- Crabapple (Malus spp.)

- Elm (Ulmus spp.)

- Fir (Abies spp.)

- Pine (Pinus spp.)

- Spruce (Picea spp.)

- Tulip tree or Yellow poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera)

The Contractor shall fell all Class 2 trees and shrubs less than 6” in diameter at breast height.

Non-Target Species:

- Any trees and shrubs marked with “DO NOT CUT” tape

- Hickories (Carya spp.)

PROJECT AREA MAP – PROJECT 5

DEFINED TERMS – PROJECT 6

all non-native seedling, sapling, and mature shrubs to ground level, and as necessary hand cutting brush growing around mature trees to be saved within a 21.8-acre degraded oak-hickory woodland in the Bliss Woods Forest Preserve located in Sugar Grove, IL (see attached County

Locator Map). The Contractor may request that District staff mark actual project boundaries on the ground with paint and flagging tape.

Prospective contractors must demonstrate past experience working on weed management in

State Nature Preserves and demonstrate staff has an advanced knowledge of regional flora.

The objectives of this project are to remove non-native brush and small mesic trees in a degraded oak woodland and to greatly reduce their ability to reinvade the area via seed or re-sprouting.

District staff may delineate certain sensitive and high–quality areas with yellow “Caution” tape.

Machinery is not permitted within these areas under any circumstances. Contactors violating this restriction may face cancellation of the contract and revocation of payment owed if damage to these areas occurs. The ground is frequently saturated and many ephemeral wetlands exist in the project area. Frozen ground will be required in order to work on the site to prevent damage to underlying soils.

Stump grinding below grade is not required in this project. The Contractor will be responsible for the cutting and removal of invasive woody brush within the project area. Additionally, all stumps created must be treated with herbicide to prevent re-sprouting.

Timeframes:

- Tree Cutting Period: 12/1/2025 – 3/13/2026

- Re-Sprout Herbicide Treatment Completion Date: First foliar treatment must be completed by 5/22/2026

- Project Deadline: 6/19/2026

Performance Standard: At least 95% of stumps and re-sprouts dead at Project Deadline.

Project Area: See attached Project Area Map.

Project Manager: The Forest Preserve District of Kane County’s Natural Resource Manager, Jason Johnson.

Authorized Machinery: Heavy duty, low ground pressure professional grade forestry clearing machinery such as a low-ground pressure, rubber tracked skid-steer with FECON style rotary-drum forestry mower. Only skid-steers with full-time dedicated rubber tracks and dedicated bogie wheel carriage units shall be allowed on the job. Rubber tired Skid-steers with aftermarket rubber glyphosate-based herbicide (Rodeo, Aqua Neat, Glypro, or approved equal) or an amine formulation of triclopyr (i.e. Garlon 3A, Tahoe 3A, Element 3A) diluted with water to a 30% solution for stump treatments. A blue marker dye must be mixed with the herbicide so that treated stumps will be apparent. The Contractor must obtain Project Manager’s prior approval of any herbicide to be used.

- Foliar Spraying: The Contractor shall only use an aquatic-rated, glyphosate-based herbicide

(Rodeo, Aqua Neat, Glypro, or approved equal), an amine formulation of triclopyr (i.e. Garlon

3A, Tahoe 3A, Element 3A), or a choline salt formulation of triclopyr (i.e. Vastlan) diluted with water to a 2.5% - 5% solution for foliar treatments. A blue marker dye must be mixed with the herbicide so that treated re-sprouts will be apparent. The Contractor must obtain Project

Manager’s prior approval of any herbicide to be used.

Target Species:

Class 1:

- Autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata)

- Black alder (Alnus glutinosa)

- Burning bush (Euonymus alatus)

- Callery pear (Pyrus calleryana)

- Common buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica)

- Dense clusters of Raspberry and Blackberry (Rubus spp.)

- Glossy buckthorn (Frangula alnus)

-…