SB-FP-07-2526 Teasel Management

The Forest Preserve District of Kane County, Illinois, is soliciting competitive bids for invasive teasel management services across three separate preserves through targeted herbicide applications. The procurement encompasses individual projects at Oakhurst Forest Preserve (approximately 108 acres in Aurora), Settler's Hill Golf Course (approximately 176 acres in Geneva), and Stearns Road Corridor/McLean Road Fen (approximately 126 acres in South Elgin), with each project awarded separately to the lowest, most responsible and responsive bidder. Contractors must achieve a one-season kill rate of 95% for teasel species (Dipsacus laciniatus and Dipsacus fullonum) through herbicide applications during May, June, and July 2026, utilizing clopyralid herbicide at 0.75-1% solution concentration with project manager approval. Required qualifications include a valid Illinois Department of Agriculture Commercial Pesticide Applicators License and prior experience with weed management in State Nature Preserves with advanced knowledge of regional flora. Bidders must submit proposals by February 10, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. CST via the Bonfire online portal, with bid opening scheduled for February 10, 2026, at 3:30 p.m. at District headquarters in Geneva, Illinois. Questions must be submitted by February 5, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. CST, with any addendum posted by February 6, 2026, and project award scheduled for March 10, 2026, with final completion required by July 26, 2026. Evaluation criteria include achievement of the 95% kill rate performance standard verified through joint on-site inspection no less than 10 days after final treatment, on-time and on-budget project completion, and demonstrated past performance on similar invasive species management projects as documented in required reference submissions.

The District has not identified any set-aside designations or restrictions limiting bidder eligibility based on organization type or disadvantaged enterprise status. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are listed in the solicitation documents. Contractors must comply with the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act and the Illinois Act on Substance Abuse Prevention on Public Works Projects, and must provide substantial insurance and bonding requirements including Commercial General Liability insurance of $2,000,000 per occurrence, Business Auto Liability insurance of $1,000,000 per accident, Workers' Compensation insurance, and a Performance Bond or Irrevocable Letter of Credit for 100% of the contract price. Pricing is submitted on a not-to-exceed basis with all materials, equipment, labor, and permits included in the proposed price, with the District paying 90% upon satisfactory completion of the Initial Treatment Period (May through July 2026) and releasing the remaining 10% upon achievement of the performance standard. Failure to complete the project by the deadline results in liquidated damages of $500 per day, and damage to trees is assessed at $400 per caliper inch. While specific budget ranges are not disclosed in the solicitation, the contract structure indicates three separate projects with varying acreage, suggesting individual award values will reflect the scope and complexity of herbicide application work across each preserve location.