SB-FP-09-2526 Electric Fence Installation

The Forest Preserve District of Kane County, Illinois, is soliciting sealed bids from qualified contractors for the installation of an electric fence system to expand pasture for a bison herd on restored prairie at Burlington Prairie Forest Preserve under solicitation number SB-FP-09-2526. The project requires the construction of approximately 7,067 linear feet of high-tensile woven wire fence standing 6 feet tall with two energized wires positioned at 72 inches and 48 inches from ground level, seven 12-foot perimeter gates, and one 4-foot maintenance gate, with all materials including pressure-treated wooden posts, 12.5-gauge woven wire, insulators, and grounding systems to be provided by the contractor. All bids must include machinery, labor, equipment, permits, and materials necessary for complete project execution in a good and workmanlike manner, with work to commence upon issuance of a Purchase Order and be completed by August 31, 2026. Bidders are required to submit comprehensive bid packages through the Bonfire platform including a completed bid form with company and contact information, references for up to five similar projects, subcontractor declarations, a Substance Abuse Prevention Form certifying an established program, and an affidavit of corporate authority; an optional pre-bid meeting is scheduled for April 2, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. at the project site. All sealed bids must be submitted electronically through www.kaneforest.bonfirehub.com by April 10, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. CST, with bid opening occurring on the same date at 8:00 a.m. CST at the District's office in Geneva, Illinois; questions must be submitted via the Bonfire portal by April 6, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. CST, with any addenda posted by April 8, 2026, and project award scheduled for May 12, 2026. The District will award the contract to the lowest, most responsible, and responsive bidder, with all bids remaining subject to acceptance for 60 calendar days after opening.

This project is classified as conservation work and is therefore not subject to prevailing wage requirements under the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act, though contractors must still comply with substance abuse prevention requirements under Illinois Public Works Project Act (Act 095-0635). No specific set-asides or disadvantaged enterprise designations are noted in the solicitation documents; however, the successful contractor must meet bonding and insurance requirements including a Performance Bond and Labor & Materials Payment Bond equal to 100 percent of the contract amount, a Certificate of Insurance with Commercial General Liability coverage of $2,000,000 per occurrence and Business Auto Liability of $1,000,000 per accident, and an irrevocable letter of credit prior to construction commencement. The contractor must also perform a minimum of 50 percent of the work with their own staff and maintain all necessary state and local licenses and permits. The contract will be governed by Illinois law with jurisdiction in the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit in Kane County, and liquidated damages of $500 per day apply for failure to meet the August 31, 2026, completion date, with tree damage assessed at $400 per caliper inch. No budget range or estimated contract value is specified in the solicitation documents; the contract sum will be determined by the lowest responsive bid submitted, and payment will be made only upon full performance of work with 5 percent retained until final site restoration is completed and approved by District representatives.