Develop a Midwest Tree Selection Planting & Care Publication

The State of Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forest Resources, in partnership with St. Clair County, is seeking a contractor to develop a comprehensive Midwest tree selection, planting, and care publication under the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act. The contractor must research, plan, and produce a full-color, professionally designed publication with written guidelines, charts, graphics, and original botanical illustrations suitable for both print and web distribution, emphasizing Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Ohio. Deliverables include a complete publication with seven printed copies, a poster featuring 29 botanical tree illustrations with detailed botanical elements, and all creative content in Adobe-compatible, print-ready files with high-resolution digital formats. The project timeline runs from March 16, 2026, through December 31, 2027, with required bi-monthly in-person meetings in Springfield, Illinois, and monthly invoicing throughout the contract term. Contractors must demonstrate proven experience in marketing and communications for urban forestry and must submit two examples of completed full-color urban forestry publications for government entities, one web page development example, two botanical tree illustrations demonstrating technical accuracy, and two professional references (one government entity and one professional forestry association). The proposal deadline is February 27, 2026, with the posting date of February 6, 2026.

No specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises or organizational restrictions are identified in the procurement documents. All contractors and subcontractors must comply with extensive state and federal requirements, including Illinois Standard Terms and Conditions, Federal Assistance Provisions under 2 CFR Part 200, the Byrd Anti-Lobbying Amendment, Davis-Bacon Act prevailing wage requirements (if applicable), domestic preference requirements under the Build America, Buy America Act, and all 33 standard Illinois Certifications. Vendors must maintain general commercial liability insurance of $1,000,000 per occurrence with a $2,000,000 annual aggregate, auto liability coverage of $1,000,000, and worker's compensation insurance as required by law. The specific award amount or budget range for this contract is not disclosed in the available procurement documents and will be designated on the pricing page of the formal contract or purchase order. Financial records must be maintained for a minimum of three years following project completion, and all work products and intellectual property created under the contract remain the sole property of the State of Illinois.