TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF AUGUST 13, 2026
COMMITTEE ON PROCUREMENT
Mr. John P. Murray, Executive Director
Title
Issue purchase order and enter into an agreement with Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Ltd. for Contract 24-CON-03 Professional Engineering Services for Flood Control Projects for Combined Sewer Areas in the Little Calumet River Watershed (Project 25-283-5F), in an amount not to exceed $3,228,300.85, Accounts 501-50000-612440 and 612450, Requisition 1661628
Body
Dear Sir:
Authorization is requested to issue a purchase order and enter into an agreement with Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Ltd. (CBBEL) for Contract 24-CON-03 (Project 25-283-5F), Professional Engineering Services for Flood Control Projects for Combined Sewer Areas in the Little Calumet River Watershed (Project), in an amount not to exceed $3,228,300.85.
The proposed Project will provide final design engineering for conceptual projects in the city of Markham, the village of Dolton, the village of Dixmoor, and the village of Posen. It will also provide conceptual design work for a project in the village of McCook.
The scope of work for the final design of conceptual stormwater projects in the Little Calumet River Watershed includes data review and collection, analysis of right-of-way and permit requirements, grant applications and preparation of engineering plans, specifications, cost estimates, and project schedules. The scope of work for the conceptual design in the village of McCook includes data collection, analysis of right-of-way and permit requirements, and preparation of 30 percent engineering plans and cost estimates.
The time allowed for services to be performed under this agreement is 821 days from the date the contract is awarded. However, the District reserves the right to extend the expiration date by mutual agreement.
Deliverables under this agreement include:
• Wetland Reports
• Technical Memorandums including Final Design Stormwater Reports
• Public Coordination Meetings (Presentations, Documents, and Exhibits)
• Geotechnical Reports
• Permit Applications
• Detailed Plans and Specifications
• Opinion of Probable Construction Cost
• Grant Application Services
The Engineering Department conducted a consolidated consultant selection process to assess prospective consulting engineering firms for professional services for the planning and design of stormwater management projects. Requests for Statement of Qualifications were sent to 48 firms and 19 responded. After reviewing all the Statements of Qualifications, ten firms were chosen for interviews by the District’s selection advisory committee. Following scoring of the interview phase, the Engineering Department determined the highest-scoring firms in the following order:
1. V3 Companies, Ltd.
2. Hey & Associates, Inc.
3. Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Ltd.
4. Arcadis U.S., Inc.
5. Bowman Consulting Group Ltd.
6. Strand Associates, Inc.
7. CDM Smith, Inc.
While all the above firms are determined to be suitable for this project, CBBEL is being selected due to its third highest ranking after the first and second company, both which have already entered into agreements for different stormwater projects. Consultants for future stormwater planning and design contracts will be selected in the order of the above list until exhausted.
CBBEL submitted a proposal in the amount of $3,228,300.85 for professional services for final design of conceptual projects at four (4) locations and conceptual design of a project in the village of McCook. Engineering has reviewed the proposal and found it to be acceptable.
It is estimated that approximately 30 people will work on the contract at various times with an anticipated total of 11,317 man-hours. The average payroll rate will be approximately $58.34.
CBBEL shall be paid an hourly rate based on the direct labor rate in effect for the year the work is performed, times an overall multiplier of 2.8, plus reimbursable direct costs, up to a total amount not to exceed $3,228,300.85.
Item Fee
1. Prime Consultant Fee
A. Direct Labor $ 617,003.24
B. Overhead and Profit $ 1,110,605.84
C. Total Labor Fee $ 1,727,609.08
2. Reimbursable Direct Costs $ 289,919.77
3. PCE Sub-Consultant Fee
A. MBE Firms $ 646,902.00
B. WBE Firms $ 321,854.00
C. VBE Firms $ 95,866.00
D. Total PCE Sub-Consultants $ 1,064,622.00
4. Non PCE Sub-Consultant Fee $ 146,150.00
Total Fee (Not to Exceed) $ 3,228,300.85
The following firms will actively participate in providing services for the core elements required by the agreement. Milhouse Engineering and Construction, Inc. and American Surveying & Engineering, Ltd. are Minority-owned Business Enterprises (MBE). The firms Gasperec Elberts Consulting, LLC, and Rubino Engineering, INC. are Women-owned Business Enterprises (WBE). The firm Juneau is a Veteran-owned Business Enterprises (VBE).
The Diversity Section has reviewed the agreement and concluded that the MBE, WBE, and VBE firms are in accordance with the District’s Affirmative Action Policy. The agreement shall be subject to the approval of the Law Department as to form and legality.
Inasmuch as the firm Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Ltd. possesses a high degree of professional skill, it is recommended that the Director of Procurement and Materials Management be authorized to issue a purchase order and enter into an agreement without advertising, per Section 11.4 of the Purchasing Act, in an amount not to exceed $3,228,300.85.
Funds for the 2026 expenditure, in the amount of $400,000.00, are available in Account 501-50000-612440. The estimated expenditure for 2027 is $2,000,000.00, and 2028 is $828,300.85. Funds in Accounts 501-50000-612440 and 612450 for 2027 and 2028 expenditures are contingent on the Board of Commissioners’ approval of the District’s budget for those years.
Requested, Catherine A. O’Connor, Director of Engineering, KF:JK
Recommended, Darlene A. LoCascio, Director of Procurement and Materials Management
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 August 13, 2026
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