I-26-2051 I-294 Site Redevelopment of Hinsdale and O'Hare Oases

The Illinois State Toll Highway Authority is requesting proposals for Construction Manager/General Contractor services on Contract I-26-2051, the I-294 Site Redevelopment of Hinsdale and O'Hare Oases, with proposals due October 27, 2026, at 10:30 AM CDT through BidBuy. This solicitation is limited to shortlisted proposers from an earlier Request for Qualifications process. Electronic submission through BidBuy is mandatory under Illinois CPO Notice 2023.12; paper responses are not accepted.

The scope encompasses Phase One preconstruction services (design validation, cost estimation, constructability reviews, scheduling, and permitting coordination) and Phase Two construction management and general contracting for three new oasis buildings—approximately 40,000 square feet each at Hinsdale Northbound, Hinsdale Southbound, and O'Hare Northbound—with flexible commercial spaces for food service, wellness rooms, and family amenities. Phase One begins March 4, 2027, with key deliverables including a 95% constructability workshop (March 12, 2027), open-book construction cost submission (April 9, 2027), and a binding lump-sum proposal (June 14, 2027). Phase Two Notice to Proceed is anticipated August 2, 2027, with interim completion dates for all three buildings no later than December 31, 2028.

Phase One pricing is based on five key personnel positions (Project Manager, Construction Manager, Lead Estimator, Quality Manager, Safety Manager) at hourly rates multiplied by a 2.8 factor. The CM/GC Construction Fixed-Markup Fee is expressed as a percentage between 8% and 15% of an assumed construction cost of $125 million. A proposal guaranty of $250,000 is required. The CM/GC Contractor and Major Participants must self-perform a minimum of 15% of Phase Two construction work and competitively bid at least 5%. Liquidated damages are $6,000 per calendar day for missed interim completion dates; early completion incentives are $10,000 per calendar day for up to 30 days at each site. Key personnel substitutions incur liquidated damages of $5,000 to $10,000 per change plus $1,000 per business day of vacancy.

DBE participation goals are 0% for professional services and 16% for construction work; eligible DBEs must be certified by the Illinois Unified Certification Program, City of Chicago or County of Cook as M/WBEs, or the SBA as 8(a) businesses. SDVOSB/VOSB goals are 0% for professional services and 0.5% for construction work; certified firms must maintain a home office in Illinois and annual gross sales under $75 million. EEO goals require women to comprise at least 6.9% of aggregated work hours and minority participation of 19.6% across Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties. Participation in the Partnering for Growth mentoring program with at least one construction mentoring agreement executed 30 days before construction begins is mandatory. Prevailing wage applies; general commercial liability insurance must be $1 million per occurrence and $2 million annual aggregate.

The mandatory pre-proposal meeting is September 25, 2026, with a site walk-through on October 1, 2026. Proposals must include a technical narrative (25 pages maximum), administrative proposal, and price proposal. Anticipated Apparent Best Value Proposer announcement is November 2026, with contract award and execution in December 2026. The Illinois Tollway reserves the right to reject all proposals and to terminate the contract without penalty if Phase Two construction pricing cannot be agreed upon.