TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Allison Swisher, Director of Public Utilities
SUBJECT:
title
Award of Contract for the Southeast Joliet Sanitary District Water System Improvements Project to Austin Tyler Construction Inc. in the Amount of $2,982,535.68
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BACKGROUND:
The City of Joliet acquired the Southeast Joliet Sanitary District (District) water and sanitary sewer systems on February 1, 2026. The County is providing funding via multiple sources to fund improvements in the District’s system. One of these funding sources is grant funds via the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). On October 21, 2025, the Mayor and Council approved the Subrecipient Award Agreement for receipt of $4,025,046 in ARPA funds for water system improvements for the Southeast Joliet Sanitary District. On May 5, 2026, the Mayor and Council approved an amendment to this Agreement increasing the ARPA funds for improvements in SEJSD to $4,106,562.10.
One of the projects identified to be constructed utilizing ARPA funds is replacement of sections of water main that are in poor condition. The location and scope of water main replacement is shown on the attached map. The total length of water main to be installed is 7,181 feet, or 1.36 miles.
Design drawings and bidding documents were prepared and the invitation to bid for the project was advertised in the Joliet Herald-News on Thursday, April 30, 2026.
The Public Service Committee will review this matter.
CONCLUSION:
On Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., three (3) sealed bids were received for the Southeast Joliet Sanitary District Water System Improvements Project. Due to the limited amount of project funding, the project bid required that contractors provide a “base bid” for the base scope of work and an “alternate bid” for the base bid plus additional water main replacement work. Based on the pricing received, there are enough grant funds for the alternate bid amount. The bid summary is as follows:
BASE ALTERNATE
CONTRACTOR BID AMOUNT BID AMOUNT
Austin Tyler Construction Inc., Elwood, IL $1,591,464.21 $2,982,535.68
Construction by Camco, Inc., Joliet, IL $1,820,789.65 $3,181,869.84
Len Cox & Sons Excavating, Crest Hills, IL $1,868,623.20 $3,245,985.10
Engineer’s Estimate $1,880,000.00 $3,400,000.00
The low bid from Austin Tyler Construction Inc., for the alternate bid scope of work, in the amount of $2,982,535.68, is 13% below the engineer’s estimate. Austin Tyler Construction Inc. has previously completed similar work for the City and completed this work to the City’s satisfaction.
Funds will be charged to the PU Grant / Reimbursable Projects Fund / SEJSD / Construction (Org 50180170, Object 557200, $2,982,535.68).
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Based on the above, it is recommended that the Mayor and City Council award the Contract for the Southeast Joliet Sanitary District Water System Improvements Project, in the amount of $2,982,535.68, on behalf of Austin Tyler Construction Inc.
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