These specifications describe the minimum requirements for performing vacant property board ups within the City of Rockford (hereafter "City") limits. The City seeks qualified firms to provide services to secure and board up vacant properties. Question Deadline 10/10/2023 at 5:00 PM CT. Questions shall be received, in writing; no questions may be submitted after this date. Questions regarding this Bid/RFP shall be addressed to: Dajana Glisic - dajana.glisic@rockfordil.gov Questions regarding EEOs should be addressed to City of Rockford Equal Opportunity Compliance (EOC) Officer, at (779) 348-7264. Questions regarding Bid/RFP specs should be addressed to analyst listed in specs section. FINANCE AND PERSONNEL COMMITTEE Anne Wilkerson Central Services Manager Questions will be answered via addendum no later than October 12th. Bid results may be obtained by telephone at 779-348-7164 or electronically. Please do not use staples to bind the bid responses. Mandatory Pre-Bid Meeting: NO Illinois Preference Act: NO Bid Deposit/Bid Bond: NO Prevailing Wage: NO Performance Bond: NO Apprenticeship: NO IDOT Prequalified: NO The City of Rockford reserves the right to refuse acceptance of delivered merchandise that differs substantially from the specifications in the invitation to bid or as otherwise permitted by Illinois law. When required on the cover sheet, a bid bond for not less than five (5) percent of the bid amount must accompany all bids as a guarantee that if the bid is accepted, the bidder will execute and file the proper contract. A bank cashier's check, bank draft, or certified check equal to the amount specified is acceptable in lieu of a bid bond. Bid bonds of the two lowest firms will be retained until the contract is awarded. When required by the specifications herein, the awarded vendor shall furnish a performance and payment bond equal to the amount of the contract, acceptable to the City, within fourteen (14) calendar days after notification of contract award. Failure to furnish the required bond within the time specified may be cause for rejection of the bid and any bid deposit may be retained by the City as liquidated damages and not as a penalty. The City of Rockford reserves the right to terminate the contract in its entirety or in portions, upon written notice to Vendor for convenience, if the Rockford City Council does not appropriate sufficient funds to complete the contract, or in the event of default by Vendor. Default is defined as failure of the awarded vendor to perform any of the provisions of this contract or failure to make sufficient progress so as to endanger performance of this contract in accordance with its terms. The City's written notice of termination shall specify the effective date of termination. Vendor shall discontinue providing goods or services after such effective date, and the City shall not be liable for goods or services provided by Vendor thereafter. In the event of default, the City may purchase the product(s) and/or service(s) from other sources and hold the defaulting company responsible for any excess costs occasioned thereby. The City may require payment of liquidated damages for non-performance. Should default be due to failure to perform or because of a request for a price increase, the City reserves the right to remove the firm from the City's bidder list and place the firm on the City's debarred list for a period of up to three (3) years. The City of Rockford reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids or proposals at any time, for any reason, including but not limited to the Rockford City Council not appropriating sufficient funds to purchase equipment or complete the contract. The City may make awards in any manner deemed in the best interest of the City. The City of Rockford reserves the right to accept or reject any and all proposals and to waive technicalities in submitted bids. Regardless of cause, late bids and proposals will not be accepted and will automatically be disqualified from further consideration. It shall be solely Vendor's risk to ensure delivery at the designated office by the designated time. Late bids and proposals will not be opened and may be returned to Vendor at their request and expense. It is the policy of the City of Rockford to strongly encourage and promote the award of subcontracts to ready, willing, and able Minority and Women Business Enterprises (MWBEs) certified with the City. The City strongly encourages bidders, when preparing bids or proposals, to contact certified MWBEs regarding potential subcontracting opportunities. The City requires information regarding Vendor's good faith efforts to identify MWBE subcontractors on the Subcontractor Utilization Form required to be completed and submitted with Vendor's bid or proposal. An up-to-date list of the City's certified MWBEs can be found electronically. Vendor shall provide board up services one (1) year from date of award. The City of Rockford and the vendor may agree to extend the contract in one (1) year increments for four (4) additional one-year terms. The City of Rockford reserves the right to review the vendor(s) previous years' performance prior to approving any additional contract extensions beyond the first and second terms of this contract.