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 Berkeley Research Group, LLC for Contract 25-CON-04 Professional Services for Schedule Delay Analysis (Project 24-894-3C), in an amount not to exceed $350,000.00, Account 401-50000-612450, Requisition 1662775 (As Revised)
Body
Dear Sir:
Authorization is requested to issue a purchase order and enter into an agreement with Berkeley Research Group, LLC for Contract 25-CON-04 (Project 24-894-3C), Professional Services for Schedule Delay Analysis, for professional engineering services, in an amount not to exceed $350,000.00.
The proposed work consists of performing analysis of schedules related to delays, change orders, and claims for ongoing construction contracts and advising/training District staff in the analysis of such. The consultant may also be tasked with performing independent opinions of cost and schedules at various stages of contracts to prevent and resolve change orders and claims. The consultant must have capable and experienced staff that can perform expedited estimating and scheduling tasks in support of the District’s capital projects.
The consultant will function as a technical advisor to the Engineering Department by providing training, review of schedules and estimates, and recommendations for schedule delay determinations.
Engineering, along with the Procurement and Materials Management Department, conducted a consultant selection process to assess prospective consulting engineering firms for providing professional engineering services. Several firms were invited to submit a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ). SOQs were received from two companies, and both were invited to participate in an interview:
Berkeley Research Group, LLC
PMA Consultants
The SOQs were reviewed and interviews were conducted by a panel of two engineers and a representative from the Procurement and Materials Management Department. After evaluation, Berkeley Research Group, LLC, was selected by the committee to provide the needed professional services based on the experience of the firm, project manager, support personnel, and performance on similar work.
Berkeley Research Group, LLC, is registered to transact business and is in good standing with the State of Illinois.
The purchase order will be in effect for the remainder of 2026 through December 31, 2027. However, the District reserves the right to extend the expiration date by mutual agreement.
This is an open purchase order, with the work performed dependent on the contracts awarded and the schedule of the contractors.
The approximate components of the total fee are as follows:
ITEM FEE
1. Prime Consultant Fee $260,000.00
2. Reimbursable Costs $20,000.00
3. WBE/SBE Sub-Consultants
A. WBE/SBE Firms $70,000.00
B. Total PCE Sub Consultants $70,000.00
Total Fee (NOT TO EXCEED) $350,000.00
The Affirmative Action Ordinance, Appendix A, will be included and applied to the engineering services portion of the contract. The Affirmative Action goals for this contract are 20 percent Minority-owned Business Enterprises (MBE) and/or Woman-owned Business Enterprises (WBE).
Coordinated Construction Project Control Services is a WBE/SBE and will perform all the work.
The Diversity Section has reviewed the agreement and has concluded that the WBE/SBE firm is 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.
In as much as the firm Berkeley Research Group, LLC, 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 per Section 11.4 of the Purchasing Act, in an amount not to exceed $350,000.00.
Funds for the 2026 expenditure, in the amount of $80,000.00, are available in Account 401-50000-612450. The estimated expenditure for 2027 is $270,000.00. Funds for the 2027 expenditure are contingent on the Board of Commissioners’ approval of the District’s budget for that year.
Respectfully Submitted, Catherine A. O’Connor, Director of Engineering, CS
Recommended, Darlene A. LoCascio, Director of Procurement and Materials Management
Respectfully Submitted, Previous 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
Attachment