Pere Marquette SP - QBS Conservation Plan for Camp Ouatoga

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is procuring professional services for the preparation of a Conservation Plan for Camp Ouatoga at Pere Marquette State Park in Jersey County through a small purchase qualified-based selection (QBS) contract. The primary objective is to develop a comprehensive Conservation Plan addressing the impact of proposed campground improvements on timber rattlesnakes, a threatened and endangered species that has encroached into the historic Ouatoga Group Campground on bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River. Deliverables include attendance at a virtual kickoff meeting, an on-site assessment by a specialized biologist in coordination with IDNR heritage personnel, a draft Conservation Plan in Microsoft Word format, a final Conservation Plan in PDF format, documentation of mitigation measures and funding, alternative actions analysis including no-action alternatives, and a draft implementing agreement incorporating one round of IDNR comments. The contractor must demonstrate 3-10 years of specialized experience in preparing industry-standard Conservation Plans and provide documentation of completion of at least 5 similar projects. All work must be completed by September 30, 2026, with a proposal validity period of 60 days from March 10, 2026. The contract posting date was March 16, 2026, with a deadline for submission of March 27, 2026.

The procurement is restricted to small businesses, with the awarded contractor, Prairie Engineers P.C., required to complete at least 51 percent of the work as the prime contractor. The contract is subject to prevailing wage requirements under the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act for Jersey County, with certified payroll submission required by the 15th of each month, and vendors must pay a $15 fee for the Minority Contractor Opportunity Initiative. Insurance requirements include General Commercial Liability coverage of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 annual aggregate, Auto Liability of $1,000,000 per occurrence, and Workers' Compensation Insurance as required by law. If the project cost exceeds $50,000, performance and labor/material payment bonds in the full contract amount are required. The total contract value is $24,300 on a lump sum basis with billing based on estimated percentage of completion, and work product becomes the sole property of the State of Illinois with all intellectual property rights assigned to the state.