TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF MARCH 5, 2026
COMMITTEE ON PROCUREMENT
Mr. John P. Murray, Executive Director
Title
Authority to increase Contract 14-111-5FR Flood Control Project on 1st Avenue from Roosevelt Road to Cermak Road, SSA, to Rausch Infrastructure, LLC in an amount of $704,335.49, from an amount of $10,195,326.09, to an amount not to exceed $10,899,661.58, Accounts 501-50000-645620, Purchase Order 4000090
Body
Dear Sir:
On May 19, 2022, the Board of Commissioners authorized the Director of Procurement and Materials Management to award Contract 14-111-5FR Flood Control Project on 1st Avenue from Roosevelt Road to Cermak Road, SSA, to Rausch Infrastructure, LLC, in an amount not to exceed $9,577,000.00, plus a five (5) percent allowance for change orders in an amount of $478,850.00, for a total amount not to exceed $10,055,850.00. The scheduled contract completion was Spring 2024.
As of February 20, 2026, the attached list of change orders has been approved.
Original Contract Amount $9,577,000.00
Date of Board Approval 5/19/2022
Cumulative Change Order (2/20/2026) $618,326.09
% Change of Original Contract Value 6.46%
Current Contract Value $10,195,326.09
Requested Increase $704,335.49
New Contract Value $10,899,661.58
% Change of Current Contract Value 6.91%
Total % Change of Original Contract Value 13.81%
This project increases the 1st Avenue drainage conveyance capacity by replacing the existing storm sewer system with two parallel trunk sewers ranging in size from 18-inches to 48-inches on the east side and 18-inches to 36-inches on the west side. Multiple bioswales, in conjunction with the “daylighting” of lateral sewers and the installation of underdrains, were also installed along Cook County Forest Preserve areas, east of 1st Avenue. This project also addressed flooding along 1st Avenue between Roosevelt Road and Cermak Road which impaired hospital and ambulance personnel access to the Loyola University Medical Center. During construction, the contractor and structure fabricator determined that the structures as designed did not meet unanticipated design guidelines. As a result, a number of structures needed to be upsized and or relocated to conform with the required design guidelines. This required collaboration between the District’s design division and the contractor to provide additional design and construction work based on unanticipated site conditions. Changes were also required for the Maintenance of Traffic design, which impacted pavement and curb and gutter removal and replacement.
Negotiations between the parties have resulted in an agreement in which Rausch has accepted $704,335.49 in full settlement and compromise of all claims, known and unknown, related to the contract, including all claims for time extensions, additional scope of work items, change orders and any and all other claims pertaining to the contract. Rausch shall be responsible for the payment of
all claims of its subcontractors. The contractor’s settlement offer also releases the District from any and all future and past claims related to the contract. The Engineering and Law Departments have reviewed the settlement offer and determined it to be reasonable.
This change order is in compliance with the Illinois Criminal Code since the change is due to circumstances not reasonably foreseeable at the time the contract was signed and is in the best interest of the District.
It is hereby recommended that the Board of Commissioners authorize the Director of Procurement and Materials Management to execute a change order to increase Contract 14-111-5FR in an amount of $704,335.49 (6.91% of the current contract value), from an amount of $10,195,326.09, to an amount not to exceed $10,899,661.58.
Funds are available in Account 501-50000-645620.
Requested, Catherine A. O’Connor, Director of Engineering, GCR
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 March 5, 2026
Attachment