2026 to 2028 Root Treatment

The City of Evanston, Illinois is requesting bids on root treatment services in municipal sewer lines under BID 26-34, with bids due July 28, 2026 by 2:00 p.m. (virtual bid opening at 2:15 p.m. the same day). The city has a goal of awarding 25% of contracts to minority-owned, women-owned, disadvantaged, and Evanston-based enterprises; all bidders must demonstrate M/W/D/EBE participation or submit waiver requests. The Local Employment Program requires at least 15% of on-site work hours performed by Evanston residents (with at least one resident hired), and the Responsible Bidder Ordinance mandates that the named bidder directly perform at least 25% of project services.

The scope covers application of foaming herbicide to kill root intrusions in approximately 68,000 lineal feet of sewer mains throughout the city's combined sewer system over three years (2026–2028). Bidders must be licensed with the Illinois Department of Agriculture prior to bid date and employ professionally trained, certified, and licensed personnel to apply EPA-registered herbicides per manufacturer recommendations. Unit pricing is required per lineal foot, with payment based on actual lengths treated as verified by the city. Work must be completed within 45 days of the agreed-upon start date for each year, with formal notice to proceed issued separately for each year and start dates agreed upon no later than September 1 of each year. Warranty work requires re-treatment at no cost if live roots are found within 12 months of application.

The contract period is 1,145 calendar days with completion required by October 6, 2028. Illinois Prevailing Wage Act rates apply, with certified payroll submitted monthly to the Illinois Department of Labor. Bidders must submit a 5% bid bond or letter of credit with their proposal and a 100% performance and material and labor payment bond upon award. Electronic submission through DemandStar is required. The contractor provides all safety, traffic control, equipment, material storage, site cleanup, and restoration; the city provides sewer atlas maps, fire hydrant permits, water, and cart assemblies.