Area 7 Emergency QBS

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) is conducting an Emergency Quality Based Selection (QBS) procurement for architectural and engineering services related to the Southeast Rockford Groundwater Contamination National Priorities List Site in Rock Island County and Rockford City. This non-bid opportunity focuses on pre-design activities for the Soil Component remedy, specifically involving revisions to the quality assurance plan and procurement of subcontractors for Area 7. The procurement targets remedial design for Source Area 11, with key objectives including groundwater containment, collection and treatment, multi-phase extraction wells, groundwater and soil gas treatment, monitoring, and usage restrictions. The contract will cover continued site work through the end of 2026, with critical services necessary to maintain the treatment system's functionality and prevent exposure to the adjacent residential area. The procurement was posted on October 31, 2025, with proposals due by November 14, 2025. Qualifications will likely include extensive environmental engineering expertise, specific knowledge of groundwater contamination remediation, and experience with complex site restoration projects involving chemicals such as 1,1-Dichloroethene, Tetrachloroethene, and Vinyl Chloride.

The procurement appears to have no specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises, as the Notice of Award indicates zero percent allocation for Business Enterprise Program and Veterans Business Program participation. CDM Smith Inc. has been identified as the sole bidder and was awarded the contract, with a total contract value of $1,240,344.06 covering the period from November 1, 2025, through December 31, 2027. The contract will require integration with existing groundwater treatment infrastructure at the Southeast Rockford Superfund Site, which encompasses approximately 3 miles by 2.5 miles and includes Ekberg Park. No explicit restrictions were noted regarding the types of organizations that can respond, though vendors must complete comprehensive vendor disclosure forms certifying legal compliance, ethical conduct, and other standard Illinois procurement requirements. Potential respondents must be prepared to demonstrate capabilities in environmental remediation, possess necessary state registrations, and comply with detailed certification processes outlined in the procurement documents. Federal funding is tied to this work plan, which may introduce additional compliance requirements for potential contractors.