TITLE
AUTHORIZATION TO ENTER INTO A COOPERATIVE PURCHASING CONTRACT WITH CHICAGO UNITED INDUSTRIES LLC FOR SUPPLY AND DELIVERY OF DIESEL POWERED DISC-TYPE BRUSH AND LOG CHIPPERS DISTRICTWIDE
BODY
To: The Honorable Board of Commissioners of the Chicago Park District
I. Recommendation
Pursuant to Chapter XI, Section C.3.a and Chapter XI, Section D.7.a. of the Code of the Chicago Park District (“Code”), the Director of Purchasing and the Director of Cultural and Natural Resources recommend that that the Board of Commissioners of the Chicago Park District (the “Board”) authorize the General Superintendent or their designee to enter into a contract (the “Contract”) with Chicago United Industries LLC (“Contractor”) for supply and delivery of diesel powered disc-type brush and log chippers districtwide.
II. Contract Information; Authorization
Contractor: Chicago United Industries LLC
505 N. Lake Shore Dr., Suite 205
Chicago, IL 60611
Company Type: Illinois Limited Liability Company
Beneficial Interest: As noted in Section VI(4) below, the Contractor has submitted an Economic Disclosure Statement (“EDS”). As required by Chapter I, Section D.1(a)(1) of the Code of the Chicago Park District, Section II(B)(2) of the Contractor’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 Contractor:
United Industries Group LLC 100%
• Frank Cho 51.0%
• Ronak Sheth 17.5%
• Brian Wright 8.0%
• GDR Acquisitions I, LLC 17.5%
o Gerado Del Real 100%
Contract Period: One-year term with no additional extension options
Contract Amount: Not to Exceed (NTE) $260,673.78
Compliance
Goals:
The Minority Owned Business Enterprise (“MBE”) and Women Owned Business Enterprise (“WBE”) participation for the Contract has been eliminated by the Director of Purchasing and approved by the General Superintendent. The Contactor’s proposal for the Contract includes 0% MBE participation and 0% WBE participation. See Section IV below for further information.
Scope of Services: Supply and delivery of three diesel powered disc-type brush and log chippers districtwide.
Authorization: Authorize the General Superintendent or their designee to include other relevant terms and conditions in the written Contract, subject to the review and approval of the General Counsel. Authorize the General Superintendent or their designee 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: Capital
Fiscal Year: 2026
Source of Funds: 086.8450.8450.627045.BD126.01.01.59084
IV. Procurement Information
Pursuant to Chapter XI, Section D.7.a. of the Code, the Chicago Park District (“Park District”) may use cooperative purchasing to join in another governmental entity’s contract with its respective vendor or contractor when joining such contract is in the best interest of the Park District. The City of Chicago (“City”) currently has a contract with Contractor bearing contract number 187911 and specification number 895956B for Diesel Powered Disc-Type Brush and Log Chippers (“Government Contract”).
Pursuant to Chapter XI, Section F.3 of the Code, the Director of Purchasing has determined, with the approval of the General Superintendent, that it is impractical to obtain qualified MBEs and WBEs to perform sufficient work to fulfill the contractual commitment of 25% MBE and 5% WBE for the Contract. The Director of Purchasing has further determined, with the approval of the General Superintendent, that the elimination of MBE and WBE participation goals is appropriate for the Contract. The Director of Purchasing has made these determinations based on the following: The City issued its invitation for bid for the Government Contract with no stated compliance goals. The Contractor is procuring specialized equipment for the Park District direct from the manufacturer. No additional goods or services are included in the scope of work, so the Contractor is unable to provide any MBE or WBE participation. The Park District was not able to identify any other vendor that can provide the equipment.
V. Explanation
The Department of Cultural and Natural Resources is responsible for maintaining an urban forest of approximately 250,000 trees. Specialized equipment is required to dispose of tree debris from storm damage, removal of diseased or compromised trees, or from maintenance pruning of healthy trees. Chipping woody debris on site is necessary for the core functions of forestry operations. Chippers allow for woody debris from forestry operations to be shredded on site into fine material that can more easily be transported for reuse or disposal compared to large branches and logs.
Contractor and the City have both provided their consent for the Park District to join the Government Contract. Joining the Government Contract will provide a mechanism for the Park District to procure necessary equipment for forestry operations while taking advantage of competitive pricing offered to the City due to their larger purchasing power. Therefore, it is in the best interest of the Chicago Park District to enter into the Contract with Contractor for diesel powered disc-type brush and log chippers districtwide.
VI. General Conditions
1) Conflicts: No agreement 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) Code of the Chicago Park District: The Contract shall be subject to the Code of the Chicago Park District, including but not limited to Chapter III (“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 Chicago Park District may become liable in succeeding fiscal years pursuant to Section 17(i) of the Chicago Park District Act, 70 ILCS 1505/0.01 et seq.
4) Economic Disclosure Statement (“EDS”): Contractor has submitted a full and complete EDS prior to submission of this letter to the Board.