TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF JANUARY 22, 2026
COMMITTEE ON PROCUREMENT
Mr. John P. Murray, Executive Director
Title
Authority to award Contract 26-625-11, Diving Services at Various Locations, to Global Infrastructure LLC dba Chicago Underwater, in an amount not to exceed $190,000.00, Account 101-66000-612490, Requisition 1639876
Body
Dear Sir:
On September 4, 2025, the Board of Commissioners authorized the Director of Procurement and Materials Management to advertise for bids Contract 26-625-11, Diving Services at Various Locations.
In response to a public advertisement of November 5, 2025, a bid opening was held on December 2, 2025. The bid tabulation for this contract is:
SMITH LASALLE, INC. $171,520.00
GLOBAL INFRASTRUCTURE LLC, DBA CHICAGO $209,171.20
UNDERWATER
BALLARD MARINE CONSTRUCTION, LLC $324,256.00
The quantities specified in the contract documents were used for the purpose of comparing bids and establishing unit prices. The total amount to be expended on this contract, should usage differ from the quantities, is not to exceed $190,000.00.
Smith LaSalle, Inc., the apparent low bidder sent a letter to the District on December 10, 2025, that they need to withdraw their bid. Smith LaSalle, Inc. inadvertently left out their equipment cost for the work and only indicated their labor cost on their bid. Therefore, Smith LaSalle, Inc.’s bid is considered non-responsive and rejected based on the information above. The Director of Procurement and Materials Management has notified Smith LaSalle, Inc. of this action.
Global Infrastructure LLC dba Chicago Underwater, the lowest responsible bidder for this contract, is proposing to perform the contract in accordance with the specifications. The estimated cost for this contract is $190,000.00, placing the bid of $209,171.20, approximately 10% above the engineer’s estimate.
The Affirmative Action Ordinance Revised Appendix D and Appendix V were not included in this contract because there are insufficient numbers of certified MBEs, WBEs, and VBEs available to perform this specialized scope of work.
The Multi-Project Labor Agreement (MPLA) was not included in this contract because the classification of work does not fall within the provisions of the MPLA.
The contract will require approximately four (4) people for the services.
The contract will commence upon approval of the contractor’s bond and terminate on December 31, 2027, or upon expenditure of available funds, whichever occurs sooner.
In view of the foregoing, it is recommended that the Director of Procurement and Materials Management be authorized to award Contract 26-625-11, to Global Infrastructure LLC dba Chicago Underwater, in an amount not to exceed $190,000.00, subject to the contractor furnishing a performance bond in form satisfactory to the Law Department and approved by the Director of Procurement and Materials Management.
Funds for the 2026 expenditure, in the amount of $95,000.00, are available in Account 101-66000-612490. The estimated expenditure for 2027 is $95,000.00. Funds for the 2027 expenditure is 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 January 22, 2026
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