Title
REQUEST TO EXERCISE THE AGREEMENT’S SECOND ONE (1) YEAR EXTENSION OPTION WITH RUSSO HARDWARE, INC. FOR THE PURCHASE OR LEASE, MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR OF LANDSCAPE MOWERS DISTRICT-WIDE
SPECIFICATION NO. P-22012
Body
To: The Honorable Board of Commissioners of the Chicago Park District
I. Recommendation
Pursuant to Chapter XI, Section C.3.a of the Code of the Chicago Park District, the Director of Purchasing and the Director of the Department of Cultural and Natural Resources recommend an order be entered authorizing the General Superintendent or their designee to exercise the second one (1) year extension option with Russo Hardware, Inc. for the purchase or lease, maintenance and repair of landscape mowers district-wide, Specification No P-22012.
II. Initial Award Information
Date of Award: February 15, 2023, Park District Commissioners Board Meeting
Contractor Russo Hardware, Inc.
Company Type: Illinois Business Corporation
Majority Interest: Anthony Russo - 33.3%
Frank Russo - 33.3%
John Russo - 33.3%
Contract Period: The initial contract period was from March 27, 2023 to March 27, 2025; the first one (1) year extension of the contract period from March 27, 2025 to March 27, 2026 was authorized by the Board of Commissioners on January 22, 2025 and exercised on March 27, 2025. If the contract period is extended again, the second extension option will run from March 27, 2026 to March 27, 2027. One option to extend for a third additional year will be remaining. If the second extension option is exercised, funding shall be subject to annual appropriations.
Contract Amount: Not to exceed $1,000,000 for the initial two-year term; not to exceed $500,000 annually for all remaining extension options. DUR (depends upon requirements) contract. Expenditures for services remain subject to annual appropriations and each year’s budget.
Scope of Services: Purchase or lease, maintenance and repair of landscape mowers. Also, provide convenient indoor storage for Park District mowers and related maintenance equipment that helps to extend the useful life of equipment.
Authorization: Authorize the General Counsel to include other relevant terms and conditions in the Extension Agreement. Authorize the General Superintendent to execute the Extension Agreement and the Secretary to attest as to the signing of the Extension Agreement and keep an original copy of the Extension Agreement on file.
III. Performance to Date:
Russo Hardware, Inc. has provided maintenance and repairs of landscape mowers as well as convenient indoor storage for Park District mowers and related maintenance equipment that helps to extend the useful life of equipment.
IV. Current Expenditures:
Contract Start Date: March 27, 2023
Contract End Date: March 27, 2026
Contract Amount: $1,500,000
Payments to Date: $518,953 (30% as of 10/10/2025)
V. Current MBE/WBE Compliance
Original MBE: 25%
Goals: WBE: 5%
Current MBE 18.6%
Compliance: WBE 20.5%
Russo has provided documentation of deliveries scheduled for their MBE subcontractor that will bring them into compliance with their 25% MBE goal by the end of the current contract term. Compliance reporting will be updated to reflect MBE achievements as payments are made to MBE subcontractor.
VI. Explanation of Recommendation
The Chicago Park District requests approval by the Board to authorize the second of three one (1)-year extension options to Russo Hardware, Inc. for a new contract end date of March 27, 2027.
The Park District has approximately 170 commercial grade riding landscape mowers and dozens of pieces of related equipment in its fleet that require secure storage and protection from the elements in order to keep them in good working condition through their useful life.
Although the Park District has not made use of the mower purchase components of this contract scope, the secure indoor storage provided through this contract scope has proven to be very important for maintenance operations. In addition, Russo Hardware, Inc. has provided high quality and timely maintenance and repair services for Toro and Hustler brand lawnmowers in the Park District fleet.
Therefore, it is in the best interest of the Chicago Park District to award Russo Hardware, Inc. a one (1)-year extension of their contract for Purchase or Lease, Maintenance and Repair of Landscape Mowers District-wide, Specification No. P-22012.
VII. 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: Unless already provided for in the original contract, the Extension Agreement 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 70 ILCS 1505/17(i). Unless already provided for in the original contract, the Extension Agreement 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 of Commissioners.