AML 2514 Ward Mine Reclamation

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is requesting bids on AML 2514 Ward Mine Reclamation, a construction project to fill and seal two vertical mine shafts, remove scattered mine debris, and realign an existing driveway in Franklin County near Benton, with bids due June 18, 2026. A Project Labor Agreement (PLA) and mandatory pre-bid conference are required; bidders who fail to attend will be disqualified. Vendors must be prequalified with the Illinois Department of Transportation to be eligible.

A 2% Business Enterprise Program (BEP) participation goal applies under Illinois procurement law—bidders must submit a completed BEP Utilization Plan or their bid will be deemed non-responsive. An employment preference is available to qualified bidders who employ or commit to employing at least two current or former coal industry workers; such bidders may be selected over a lower bidder if their bid does not exceed the lowest bid by more than 2%. Illinois Business Preference and Domestic Product Preference documentation is optional.

Scope includes directional boring and demolition of two shafts with 5,500 tons of rockfill each, Portland cement concrete caps (47 and 24 cubic yards respectively), asphalt roadway repairs (921 tons hot-mix surface course, 116 tons binder course), erosion control, seeding (1.9 and 0.7 acres), utility line installation, and landscaping with specified application schedules through May 2027. All work must comply with OSHA standards and Buy America requirements under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Construction sequencing is mandated: the East Air Shaft must be completed before work on the Main Shaft commences. The estimated contract value is $50,000 or greater with a firm fixed price. Work must commence within 10 calendar days of contract execution; the contract term runs to June 30, 2027 with no renewals, though the maximum total term including extensions may not exceed ten years. The prime contractor must self-perform a minimum of 51% of work. Prevailing wage compliance, monthly certified payroll reporting, and comprehensive insurance (general liability $1,000,000/$2,000,000, auto liability $1,000,000, workers' compensation) are required. Bids must remain firm for 90 days.