Donahue and Johnson's Mound Forest Preserve Seed Bid

The Forest Preserve District of Kane County has issued an Invitation to Bid (SB-FP-03-2526) for native seed procurement for two specific restoration projects at Donahue and Johnson's Mound. The procurement seeks individually bagged seeds by species, with strict requirements for seed sourcing mandating that all seed ecotypes must originate within 200 miles of Kane County, Illinois, and cannot be from Kansas, Nebraska, North and South Dakota, or Canadian provinces. Vendors must provide detailed documentation proving local seed origin, including harvest inventory sheets and certification documents. The seeds must be delivered free of plant residues, individually bagged by species, with legumes inoculated with appropriate rhizobium bacterium. Key procurement dates include July 22, 2025, as the deadline for questions, and August 5, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. CST as the bid submission deadline. The Forest Preserve District will purchase the lowest-priced seed for each species that meets their qualifications, with all delivery charges included in bid pricing. The total seed quantities vary significantly by species, ranging from 0.25 ounces to 28,800 ounces for certain grass varieties.

There are no specific set-aside designations or restrictions on organizational types mentioned in the procurement documents. The project award is scheduled for September 4, 2025, with a mandatory delivery deadline of December 3, 2025. While a specific budget range is not explicitly stated, the bid will be awarded to the lowest, most responsible, and responsive bidder for each individual seed species. Bidders must comply with Illinois state regulations, including provisions against bid-rigging and bid-rotating. The procurement is part of Kane County's centennial celebration (1925-2025), reflecting the district's commitment to conservation, recreation, and education. Potential vendors must be prepared to submit comprehensive documentation, including corporate resolutions authorizing contract document execution, and demonstrate their ability to meet the stringent seed sourcing and delivery requirements specified in the bid packet.