1/18/2002
The government agency building new police and fire stations, libraries, playgrounds and other municipal projects throughout Chicago is seeking more construction firms to bid for this work.
While all general contractors are eligible to pre-qualify for these projects, the Public Building Commission is particularly hoping to widen its pool of firms that are based within the city and/or certified as minority-owned or woman-owned businesses, according to PBC executive director Eileen Carey.
The deadline to submit qualifications is Feb. 15; an informational meeting to answer questions about the process is set for Jan. 30 at the commission’s Daley Center office.
“We have opportunities for both large and small contractors and want the maximum number of these firms bidding on our contracts,” Carey explained.
Despite the uncertain economy, secured funding from Mayor Richard M. Daley’s Neighborhoods Alive 21 program is enabling the PBC to continue with its work replacing woefully outdated municipal facilities-including fire stations dating back to horse-drawn engine days.
In most cases, competitive bidding on PBC projects is open to companies that have pre-qualified with the agency. The qualification process is essentially a check of the company’s good standing: that it is properly licensed, bonded and insured; has the expertise to perform the work and an acceptable safety record; is in good standing with its regulatory agencies; and, if appropriate, is legitimately certified as a minority-owned or woman-owned business enterprise.
Copies of the application document are available at the PBC office, Room 200 Daley Center, or on the commission’s web site at www.pbcchicago.com. The web site also has more detailed information on the pre-qualification process and current PBC projects.
In addition, the PBC has a service to notify companies by e-mail whenever a new contract is put out to bid by the commission. While useful to general contractors, these notifications are expressly designed to assist companies seeking work as sub-contractors by alerting them to upcoming projects, Carey explained.