Ginger Creek Hydrilla Monitoring 2027/2028

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is soliciting bids for comprehensive hydrilla monitoring services in the Ginger Creek system (Oak Brook, DuPage County) for 2027–2028, with proposals due September 9, 2026. This is a federally funded project under the Great Lakes Restoration Federal Assistance Program (CFDA 15.662), triggering mandatory compliance with standard Illinois certifications covering 34 statutory and regulatory areas—including debarment status, drug-free workplace (for awards exceeding $5,000), equal employment opportunity, environmental compliance, and anti-lobbying certifications for awards of $100,000 or more. Funding is contingent upon appropriation by the Illinois General Assembly and the federal source; IDNR retains termination rights without penalty if funds become unavailable.

The scope spans approximately 70 acres across multiple waterbodies and comprises three required components: annual aquatic plant monitoring via rake-toss methodology at 314 predetermined sites (July–September); tuber monitoring to assess herbicide efficacy through tiered sediment-core sampling (late September–November, 30 cores minimum, expanding to 50 if warranted); and inlet surveys of at least 20 upstream waterbodies (August–September, minimum four sites per body or one every 300 feet of shoreline). All raw data, datasheets, and summary reports must be submitted annually by December; Hydrilla detections trigger immediate reporting, tuber counts within one week. Bidders must submit itemized pricing for each component and provide qualifications summaries with examples of at least two comparable monitoring projects.

Site access is entirely on private property with IDNR managing landowner coordination. Access varies significantly—boat-dependent (Ginger Creek Lake), canoe/shore-only (Butterfield Country Club, Lake Fred, Lake Centennial), or portage-intensive (Briarwood Lake up to six portages; Oak Brook Park District up to two). Contractors must use lightweight boats and implement strict decontamination protocols (bleach or pressure washing) between waterbodies. Financial records must be retained for three years post-completion and remain available for audit by IDNR, the Illinois Auditor General, or the Illinois Attorney General. All subcontractors must be disclosed on a Subcontractor Disclosure Form prior to work commencement. Publications and materials must credit IDNR and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Great Lakes Restoration Assistance Program.