TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF APRIL 16, 2026
COMMITTEE ON PROCUREMENT
Mr. John P. Murray, Executive Director
Title
Authority to award Contract 26-659-12 (Re-Bid), Agricultural Management, Agricultural Fieldside Mowing, and Fence Installation and Removal at Fulton County, Illinois, Groups A, B, and C, to C&J Mowing and Fencing, LLC, in an amount not to exceed $1,260,000.00, Account 101-69000-612420, Requisition 1639875
Body
Dear Sir:
On July 17, 2025, the Board of Commissioners authorized the Director of Procurement and Materials Management to advertise for bids Contract 26-659-11, Agricultural Management, Agricultural Fieldside Mowing, and Fence Installation and Removal at Fulton County, Illinois.
In response to a public advertisement of November 19, 2025, a bid opening was held on December 9, 2025. Bids were rejected as reported at the February 19, 2026 Board meeting.
In response to a public re-advertisement of February 25, 2026, a bid opening was held on March 17, 2026. The bid tabulation for this contract is:
Group A: AGRICULTURAL MANAGEMENT
C&J MOWING AND FENCING LLC $923,760.00
Group B: AGRICULTUREAL FIELDSIDE MOWING
C&J MOWING AND FENCING LLC $450,773.10
Group C: FENCE INSTALLATION AND REMOVAL
C&J MOWING AND FENCING LLC $210,800.00
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 $1,260,000.00 for Groups A, B, and C combined.
The Director of Procurement and Materials Management has reviewed the bidders’ list for this contract and is satisfied that the market for this service has been adequately solicited. A planholders’ survey revealed the following reason for not bidding: location is too far to provide the service. In light of these findings, the Director of Procurement and Materials Management is of the opinion that the bid received is a fair and reasonable price, and nothing would be gained by rejecting the sole bid and re-advertising this contract.
C&J Mowing and Fencing, LLC, the sole responsible bidder for Groups A, B, and C, is proposing to perform the contract in accordance with the specifications. The estimated cost for this contract is $1,260,000.00, placing their combined total bid of $1,585,333.10, approximately 25.8% over the engineer’s estimate for all three (3) groups.
The Multi-Project Labor Agreement (MPLA) will not be included in this contract.
The Affirmative Action Ordinance Revised Appendix D and Appendix V are not included in this contract because there are no MBE, WBE, or VBE firms available to perform the scope of work in Fulton County, Illinois.
The contract will require approximately six (6) people for the services.
For each Group, A, B, and C, the contractor shall provide the services required under this contract, as directed and ordered by the resident engineer, commencing upon approval of the contractor’s bond and terminating December 31, 2028, 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 26-659-12 to C&J Mowing and Fencing, LLC, for Groups A, B, and C, in an amount not to exceed $1,260,000.00, 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 for Group A, in the amount of $244,000.00, are available in Account 101-69000-612420. The estimated expenditures for 2027 and 2028 are $244,000.00 and $244,000.00, respectively. Funds for the 2027 and 2028 expenditures are contingent on the Board of Commissioners’ approval of the District’s budget for those years.
Funds for the 2026 expenditure for Group B, in the amount of $125,000.00, are available in Account 101-69000-612420. The estimated expenditures for 2027 and 2028 are $125,000.00 and $125,000.00, respectively. Funds for the 2027 and 2028 expenditures are contingent on the Board of Commissioners’ approval of the District’s budget for those years.
Funds for the 2026 expenditure for Group C, in the amount of $51,000.00, are available in Account 101-69000-612420. The estimated expenditures for 2027 and 2028 are $51,000.00 and $51,000.00, respectively. Funds for the 2027 and 2028 expenditures are contingent on the Board of Commissioners’ approval of the District’s budget for those years.
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 April 16, 2026
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