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AUTHORIZATION TO AWARD PROJECT AND ISSUE NOTICE TO PROCEED TO BURLING BUILDERS, INC. FOR DOJ POLLING SITE ACCESSIBILITY IMPROVEMENTS
SPECIFICATION NO. P-23001-025
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To the Honorable Board of Commissioners of the Chicago Park District:
I. Recommendation
Pursuant to Chapter XI, Section C.3(c) of the Code of the Chicago Park District (the “Code”), the Director of Purchasing and the Director of Planning and Development recommend that the Board of Commissioners of the Chicago Park District (the “Board”) authorize the Director of Purchasing or their designee to award the project bearing Specification No. P-23001-025 (the “Project”) to Burling Builders, Inc. (the “Contractor”) in an award amount not to exceed $3,003,700.00. The Director of Purchasing and the Director of Planning and Development further recommend that the Board authorize the Director of Planning and Development or their designee to issue the notice to proceed (“NTP”) to the Contractor for the Project. The Contractor was selected pursuant to a request for proposal (“RFP”) for the Project issued to all members of the Park District’s General Construction Services Pre-Qualified Pool within the category of New Construction/Renovation Services.
II. Award Information
Awardee: Burling Builders, Inc.
44 W. 60th Street
Chicago, IL 60621
Company Type: Illinois Corporation
Beneficial Interest: As noted in Section VII (4) below, the Awardee has submitted an Economic Disclosure Statement (“EDS”). As required by Chapter I, Section D.1(a)(1) of the Code, Section II(B)(2) of the Awardee’s EDS discloses the following persons or legal entities having a direct or indirect, current or prospective beneficial interest (including ownership) in excess of 7.5% of the Awardee:
Elzi Higginbottom 90% interest
John A. Girzadas 10% interest
Contract Period: Five (5) years initial term with a possible one (1) year extension period exercised at the Chicago Park District’s sole option. If contract extension options are exercised, funding shall be based upon annual appropriations
Contract Amount: Not-to-exceed $3,003,700.00
Compliance Goals: The Minority Owned Business Enterprise (“MBE”) and Women Owned Enterprise (“WBE”) participation goals for the Project includes 26.75% MBE participation and 6.13% WBE participation.
Scope of Services: The Chicago Park District seeks to provide accessibility improvements at thirteen facilities: Armour Square Park, Columbus Park, Columbus Park Refectory, Fuller Park, Fosco Park, Holstein Park, Lake Shore Park, McKinley Park, Piotrowski Park, Sheridan Park, Smith (Joseph) Park, Union Park, and Wilson (John) park (collectively, the “Facilities”). This work will include partial demolition of existing site concrete and asphalt paving, modification to building entrances thresholds and repair and reconstruction of specified accessible improvements.
Authorization: Authorize the Director of Purchasing or their designee to award the Project to the Contractor in an award amount not to exceed $3,003,700.00. Authorize the Director of Planning and Development or their designee to issue the NTP to the Contractor for the Project. Authorize the Director of Purchasing and the Director of Planning and Development or their designees to perform any and all acts as shall be necessary and advisable in connection with awarding the Project to the Contractor and issuing the NTP to the Contractor for the Project.
III. Budget and Financial Information
Budget Classification: General Obligation Bond
Fiscal Year: 2026
Source of Funds: 082 8260 8260 627012 BD122 01 01 59071
IV. Procurement Information
Specification Number: P-23001-025
Date Issued: April 10, 2026
Number of Proposals Received: Three (3)
Date Proposals Due: May 19, 2026
Proposal Evaluation Detail: Lowest responsible and responsive submitter
Procurement History: Project was issued as an RFP
The RFP was issued to all members of the General Construction Services Pre-Qualified Pool within the category of New Construction/Renovation Services. Three (3) proposals were received in response to the RFP. The Department of Purchasing deemed zero (0) of the three (3) proposals to be non-responsive. The Department of Planning and Development thoroughly reviewed the three (3) responsive proposals as to the quality of the proposal, compliance with MBE/WBE goals, cost for the services, and past performance (where applicable).
The Contractor’s proposal was chosen by the evaluation committee in accordance with the evaluation criteria set forth in the RFP. The Contractor possesses the professional qualifications and experience necessary for the satisfactory performance of the required services for the Project. The Contractor’s proposal is in the best interest of the Chicago Park District (“Park District”).
V. Explanation
The Project’s scope of work includes accessibility improvements at the Facilities, including demolition of existing asphalt and concrete paving, modifications to building entrances and door thresholds, and reconstruction of accessibility related items. Work includes new concrete paving, sloped sidewalks, curbs, ADA-compliant ramps with full foundations, asphalt paving and stripping, replacement of door hardware and door/frame assemblies, installation of automatic door openers, and associated electrical work, new steel handrails, interior repairs including patching and painting, flooring replacement, and walk-off mat replacement. The Project also including all associated site work, architectural improvements, electrical modifications, and restoration work necessary to complete the accessibility upgrades.
The Contactor and the Park District are parties to that certain Master Independent Contractor Agreement for General Contractor Services dated as of January 1, 2024 (“Master Agreement”), by which Contractor joined the General Contractor Services Pre-Qualified Pool. The Board authorized the current General Contractor Services Pre-Qualified Pool on December 15, 2023, and in its authorization provided that any project award that exceeded $2,500,000.00 would be presented to the Board for approval before the project was awarded to a contractor or a contractor was issued a NTP.
VI. General Conditions
1. Conflicts: No agreement authorized herein shall be legally binding on the Chicago Park District if entered into in violation of the provisions of the Public Officer Prohibited Activities Act, 50 ILCS 105/0.01 et seq.
2. Ethics: No agreement authorized herein shall be legally binding on the Chicago Park District if entered into in violation of the provisions of the Public Officer Prohibited Activities Act, 50 ILCS 105/0.01 et seq.
3. Contingent Liability: Any agreement lawfully entered into for a period of more than one year shall be executory only for the amounts for which the Park District may become liable in succeeding fiscal years pursuant to 70 ILCS 1505/17(i).
4. Economic Disclosure Statement (“EDS”): Contractor has submitted a full and complete EDS prior to the submission of this recommendation to the Board.