TITLE
AUTHORIZATION TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH CHRISTY WEBBER & COMPANY FOR DISTRICTWIDE PLANTING AND LANDSCAPING SERVICES
SPECIFICATION NO. P-25010
BODY
To: The Honorable Board of Commissioners of the Chicago Park District
I. Recommendation
The Director of Cultural and Natural Resources and the Director of Purchasing recommend that an order be entered authorizing the General Superintendent and CEO or their designee to enter into a contract with Christy Webber & Company for Districtwide Planting and Landscaping Services. This contractor was selected pursuant to a publicly advertised Request for Proposals. No work may commence and no payment shall be made prior to the execution of a written contract.
II. Award Information
Contractor: Christy Webber & Company DBA Christy Webber Landscapes
2900 W. Ferdinand Street
Chicago, IL 60612
Company Type: Illinois Business Corporation
Majority Interest: Christy Webber 100%
Contract Period: Two (2) year initial term with Three (3) additional One (1) year extension options.
Contract Amount: Not to exceed $6,000,000.00 for the for the initial 2-year term, not to exceed $3,000,000.00 annually. As discussed in the RFP, miscellaneous landscaping services will be requested on an as-needed basis. Accordingly, the amount expended annually for these services will depend upon requirements and if requested, will be in addition to the amount for standard services. If extension options are exercised, funding shall be based upon available annual appropriations.
Compliance
Goals: The Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MBE/WBE)
participation for this contract meets the compliance goals of 25% MBE
participation and 5% WBE participation. The Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MBE/WBE) participation for this contract is 25% MBE and 10% WBE with Christy Webber & Company as a WBE, self-performing vendor.
Scope of Services: Woody and herbaceous plant material planting and landscaping services district-wide.
Authorization: Authorize the General Counsel to include other relevant terms and conditions in the written contract. Authorize the General Superintendent to execute the contract and the Secretary to attest as to the signing of the contract and keep an original copy of the contract on file.
III. Budget and Financial Information
Budget Classification: Operating and Capital
Fiscal Year: 2025 - 2027
Source of Funds: 001.8450.8450.626025.00001.01.01.00001
086.8450.8450.627030.BD126.01.01.64002
IV. Procurement Information
Specification Number: P-25010
Date Advertised: October 8, 2025
Pre-Submittal Meeting: October 22, 2025
Date Bids Due: November 13, 2025
Number of Proposals Received: One (1)
This contract was publicly advertised as a Request for Proposals (“RFP”) with two service categories: Planting & Landscaping Services and Turf & Athletic Field Services. One (1) proposal was received on the due date and was found by the Department of Purchasing (“Purchasing”) to be compliant and responsive.
The Evaluation Committee (“EC”) was comprised of six (6) voting members, all Park District staff. The EC began their evaluation of the proposal for one service category, Planting and Landscaping Services, at their first meeting on November 20, 2025. Following their evaluation of all criteria, the EC decided to invite Christy Webber for an interview on November 25, 2025. Following the intrerview, the EC decided to send a request for Best and Final Offer to the proposer. Purchasing received the Best and Final Offer on November 26, 2025. The EC completed their evaluation of the proposal on December 3, 2025 by unanimously recommending for award Christy Webber & Company for one service category: Planting and Landscaping Services.
V. Explanation
The Chicago Park District (“Park District”) requires the services of a firm to provide planting and landscaping services and turf and athletic field services Districtwide. The contract services include woody and herbaceous plant material planting services, tree and woody plant care services, landscape materials services, turf and athletic field installation and repair, and miscellaneous landscape services. Of these services, the majority of the contract work is comprised of tree planting.
The Department of Cultural and Natural Resources (“DCNR”) is responsible for managing and maintaining the Park District’s landscaped areas, which include an urban forest of over 200,000 trees. The installation of trees, shrubs, other plant material and renovation and enhancement of the parks’ outdoor facilities are important components of the Park District’s mandate to administer these properties. Each year, DCNR plants approximately 2,000 new trees to offset tree losses from disease and storm damage. We also install 20 to 25 acres of new turf and plant thousands of shrubs and perennials.
This contract provides a vehicle by which this work can be performed in a timely manner and to specified, exacting standards. Additionally, all work performed through the contract is subject to specified guarantees and warranties, which further protect the Park District’s investment.
Christy Webber & Company has excellent experience performing the required planting and landscaping services and their proposal demonstrated their ability to provide these services as specified and to meet or exceed the standards of the Park District. In addition, they are a Chicago-based WBE company with a strong record of local hiring and civic engagement. Therefore, it is in the best interest of the Park District to recommend Christy Webber & Company for award for the Districtwide Planting and Landscaping Services contract.
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: The contract shall contain a provision requiring compliance with Chapter III of the Code of the Chicago Park District ("Governmental Ethics").
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 Section 17(i) of the Chicago Park District Act, 70 ILCS 1505/17(i). All agreements authorized herein shall contain a clause that any expenditure beyond the current fiscal year is subject to appropriation in the subsequent fiscal year budget.
4. Economic Disclosure Statement (“EDS”): Contractor has submitted a full and complete EDS prior to submission to the Board for approval.