SOUTH ELGIN HIGH SCHOOL INTERCOM REPLACEMENT; U-46 Project No. 285-26

The Board of Education of School District U-46 in Kane County, Illinois is issuing an Invitation to Bid for the complete replacement of the intercom and clock system at South Elgin High School, located at 760 East Main Street, South Elgin, Illinois (Project No. 285-26). The procurement seeks a sealed lump sum bid for the replacement of the existing Simplex intercom/clock system with a new Telecor eSeries network-based educational integrated electronic communication system and wireless clock system, including installation of network-connected speakers, call-back switches, digital message boards, administrative control consoles, network amplifiers, emergency announcement capabilities, and integration with existing access control, intrusion detection, security camera, and fire alarm systems. The successful contractor must be an experienced Telecor-certified system integrator with a minimum of five years' experience and three previously completed eSeries systems, and must maintain the existing Simplex system operational in parallel with the new Telecor system throughout the project. The project is divided into two phases, with Phase 1 (cabling installation and replacement of intercom/clock devices in athletic areas and corridors) targeting substantial completion by August 7, 2026, and Phase 2 (installation of remaining devices and removal of legacy systems) targeting substantial completion by December 18, 2026. All work must comply with prevailing wage requirements under the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act, and contractors are subject to liquidated damages of $1,000 per calendar day if substantial completion deadlines are not met. Key deadlines include a mandatory pre-bid meeting on February 11, 2026, at 4:00 PM CST; vendor questions due February 17, 2026, at 10:00 AM CST; sealed bids due February 25, 2026, at 12:30 PM CST via the Bonfire eProcurement System only; and anticipated contract award on April 27, 2026, with work commencing May 26, 2026. Award will be made to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder based on factors including financial responsibility, past transaction records, experience, equipment adequacy, ability to meet timelines, reliability, reputation, competence, and service responsiveness.

There are no stated set-asides or restrictions limiting the types of organizations that may respond; however, the District encourages minority-owned and women-owned businesses to participate. The existing Service Company of Record is ITR Systems, though other installers may be considered if pre-approved by School District U-46 a minimum of five days prior to bid submission. The new system must integrate with the school's existing access control, intrusion detection, security camera, and fire alarm systems. All bids must be submitted electronically through the U-46 Bonfire eProcurement System, and the contractor must submit a 10 percent bid bond prior to bid opening and subsequently furnish Performance and Labor and Material Payment Bonds each equal to 100 percent of the contract amount. The project includes a $200,000 general allowance and unit pricing provisions for individual intercom and clock unit devices, with the contractor responsible for all costs related to overtime, shift work, weekend work, emergency power connections, background checks, and comprehensive system commissioning, testing, training, and documentation. While a specific total contract value is not disclosed in the procurement documents, the project budget appears substantial given the scope of work, phased implementation schedule, and inclusion of a $200,000 general allowance component.