Forest Preserve District of Cook County (the "District") is soliciting Bids for the project. The work includes, but is not limited to, access and drainage improvements, and other related work as specified in the plans and specifications During the bid process, all inquiries must be directed in writing and/or emailed to the District's Purchasing Agent as follows: Purchasing Agent Forest Preserve District of Cook County 69 W Washington Street, Suite 2060 Chicago, IL 60602 Fax: (312) 603-9961 Email: fpd.purchasing@cookcountyil.gov All questions must be received in writing by 5:00 p.m. June 12, 2019. 24 % MBE participation goal and a 10 % WBE participation goal Failure to attend a mandatory pre-bid conference will result in disqualification of the bid. Work shall be substantially completed within 90 calendar days from the date that the District issues the Notice To Proceed. Substantial completion is the stage in the progress of the Work, as defined in the General Conditions, or a designated portion thereof, that is sufficiently complete in accordance with the Contract Documents so that the Owner can occupy or utilize the Work for its intended use. Liquated damages clause in Section GC-4(g) is applicable to the Work. The Contract shall end within 90 calendar days from the Substantial Completion date. The Contract end date is the date on which all Work shall be completed in accordance with the Contract Documents for the referenced project. (Work includes, but is not limited to, request for Final Payment and excludes any warranty related work.) Bids may be withdrawn upon the written request of the bidder prior to the time fixed for opening. No bid may be changed, amended or supplemented in any way after the exact time for submission of bids specified in the advertisement for bids. Any bidder that cancels or withdraws its bid after the bid opening will be deemed unqualified, and be prohibited from receiving a District contract, for a period of one (1) year from the date of bid opening. While it is the practice of the District to return the bid security, the District reserves the right to retain bid security as liquidated damages at its discretion. Repeated instances of cancellation or withdrawal of bids by a contractor may be cause for retaining bid security. The District reserves the unqualified right to reject or accept any and all bids or any combination thereof, if applicable, which, in its sole and absolute judgment, will best serve the public interest. In the event equal bids are received, the District reserves the unqualified right in its absolute and sole discretion, to accept the bid, in whole or in part, from the Contractor that the District deems most qualified and/or that will, under all circumstances, best serve the public interest. The District reserves the right to reject any proposals that are incomplete, conditional, and obscure or contain alterations and/or additions to, standard bid specifications issued by the District. In the event that the successful bidder fails to execute the Contract Agreement included in Section VI hereof or to furnish satisfactory surety on a bond to the District, within the fourteen (14) day period referenced below, the successful bidder may be deemed to be in default and may be prohibited from bidding on any District contracts or projects for one (1) year. In addition, any and all Bid Securities provided to the District may be retained by the District as liquidated damages. The District reserves the right to accept the bid of any other bidder within ten (10) calendar days from such default. The acceptance of such bid after default shall have the same effect on the subsequent successful bidder as though he/she were the original successful bidde