TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF JULY 17, 2025
COMMITTEE ON PROCUREMENT
Mr. John P. Murray, Acting Executive Director
Title
Authority to award Contract 24-695-22 (Re-Bid), Truck Scale Replacement at Various Locations, Group A, to Brechbuhler Scales, Inc. (Brechbuhler), in an amount not to exceed $375,000.00, and Groups B and C, to Abest Scale Company (Abest), in an amount not to exceed $434,000.00, Account 201-50000-645750, Requisition 1615890
Body
Dear Sir:
On April 18, 2024, the Board of Commissioners authorized the Director of Procurement and Materials Management to advertise for bids Contract 24-695-21, Truck Scale Replacement at Various Locations.
In response to a public advertisement of May 29, 2024, a bid opening was held on July 9, 2024. All bids were rejected as reported at the January 23, 2025, Board meeting.
In response to a public re-advertisement of April 9, 2025, a bid opening was held on April 29, 2025. The bid tabulation for this contract is:
GROUP A: STICKNEY WATER RECLAMATION PLANT (SWRP)
BRECHBUHLER SCALES, INC. $375,000.00
JOHN BURNS CONSTRUCTION COMPANY LLC $807,000.00
GROUP B: LAWNDALE AVENUE SOLIDS MANAGEMENT AREA (LASMA))
ABEST SCALE COMPANY $154,000.00
BRECHBUHLER SCALES, INC. $190,000.00
JOHN BURNS CONSTRUCTION COMPANY LLC $562,000.00
GROUP C: CALUMET SOLIDS MANAGEMENT AREA (CALSMA) E & W
ABEST SCALE COMPANY $280,000.00
BRECHBUHLER SCALES, INC. $313,000.00
JOHN BURNS CONSTRUCTION COMPANY LLC $790,000.00
The Affirmative Action Ordinance Revised Appendix D and Appendix V was not included in this contract due to an insufficient number of MBE/WBE/VBE firms available that can perform the requested services.
Brechbuhler Scales, Inc. (Brechbuhler), the lowest responsible bidder for Group A, is proposing to perform the contract in accordance with the specifications. The estimated cost for Group A is $595,000.00, placing their bid of $375,000.00, approximately 37% below the engineer’s estimate.
Brechbuhler has executed the Multi-Project Labor Agreement (MPLA) certificate as required. Brechbuhler, the scale manufacturer, will complete all scale work with the technicians who are certified by the State of Illinois Weights and Measures Department. They will also use union sub-contractors for union work. It is anticipated that the following trades will be utilized on this contract: cement masons, iron workers, and operating engineers. The list of construction trades is not intended to confer any rights or jurisdiction upon any union or unions.
Abest Scale Company (Abest), the lowest responsible bidder for Groups B and C, is proposing to perform the contract in accordance with the specifications. The estimated combined cost for Groups B and C is $460,000.00, placing the combined bids of Groups B and C at $434,000.00, approximately 5.6% below the engineer’s estimate.
Abest has executed the Multi-Project Labor Agreement (MPLA) certificate as required. Abest will complete all scale work with the technicians who are certified by the State of Illinois Weights and Measures Department. They will also use union sub-contractors for union work. It is anticipated that the following trades will be utilized on this contract: cement masons, iron workers, and operating engineers. The list of construction trades is not intended to confer any rights or jurisdiction upon any union or unions.
In view of the foregoing, it is recommended that the Director of Procurement and Materials Management be authorized to award Contract 24-695-22, Group A, to Brechbuhler Scales, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $375,000.00, and Groups B and Group C, to Abest Scale Company, in an amount not to exceed $434,000.00, subject to the contractors furnishing a performance bond in form satisfactory to the Law Department and approved by the Director of Procurement and Materials Management.
The contract shall commence upon approval of the contractor’s bond and terminate twenty-four (24) months thereafter for Group A, and by December 31, 2026, for Groups B and C, or upon expenditure of available funds, whichever occurs sooner.
The contract will employ approximately twenty-four (24) people for the services.
Funds for the 2025 expenditure for Group A, in the amount of $175,000.00, are available in Account 201-50000-645750. The estimated expenditure for 2026 is $170,000.00, and for 2027 is $30,000.00. Funds for the 2026 and 2027 expenditures are contingent on the Board of Commissioners’ approval of the District’s budget for those years.
Funds for the 2025 expenditure for Group B, in the amount of $144,000.00, are available in Account 201-50000-645750. The estimated expenditure for 2026 is $10,000.00. Funds for the 2026 expenditure are contingent on the Board of Commissioners’ approval of the District’s budget for that year.
Funds for the 2025 expenditure for Group C, in the amount of $140,000.00, are available in Account 201-50000-645750. The estimated expenditure for 2026 is $140,000.00. Funds for the 2026 expenditure are contingent on the Board of Commissioners’ approval of the District’s budget for that year.
Requested, Pinakin V. Desai, Acting Director of Maintenance and Operations
Recommended, Darlene A. LoCascio, Director of Procurement and Materials Management, DAL:SEB:gv
Respectfully Submitted, Precious Brady-Davis, Chairperson, Committee on Procurement
Disposition of this agenda item will be documented in the official Regular Board Meeting Minutes of the Board of Commissioners for July 17, 2025
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