Request for Proposal (RFP) and Specifications for Landscape and Construction Contractors for the Emerald South – Terra Firma Project
RFP Release
April 15, 2025
PRE-PROPOSAL MEETING
April 21, 2025 at 3:00 PM CST
DEADLINE FOR QUESTIONS
April 23, 2025 at 5:00 PM CST
PROPOSALS DUE
May 2, 2025 at 5:00 PM CST
PREPARED BY
Delta Institute
35 E. Wacker Drive, Suite 1760
Chicago, IL 60601
About Delta Institute
Delta Institute is a 501(c)(3) organization. Delta Institute collaborates with communities to solve complex environmental challenges throughout the Midwest. We address Midwestern environmental, economic, and climate challenges today so that our home and region are more resilient, equitable, and innovative tomorrow.
RFP Submittal Requirements
One (1) digital original proposal must be submitted.
The digital copy should be emailed to hmhardy@delta-institute.org and mblanc@delta-institute.org.
The digital proposal should be received by Delta Institute by May 2, 2025 at 5:00 PM CST.
Pre-Proposal Meeting
Delta Institute will hold a pre-proposal meeting on April 21, 2025 at 3:00 PM CST.
The meeting will include a summary of the project, proposal process, and review of prospective proposer’s questions.
Participants can join the meeting by clicking on the Microsoft Teams link below:
Microsoft Teams
Meeting ID: 268 808 352 384
Passcode: Mf7Ww3Kw
Questions
For any questions regarding the RFP, please email Helen Hardy, Delta Institute at hmhardy@delta-institute.org. All questions must be received by April 23, 2025 at 5:00 PM CST.
All questions will be answered and issued to all companies that are on the RFP holders list. If you are unsure if you are on the RFP holder’s list, please contact Helen Hardy, Delta Institute, Phone: 312-554-0900 ext. 11 or email: hmhardy@delta-institute.org to confirm.
Project Description
Communities on the south and west sides of Chicago continue to be disproportionally impacted by the impacts of climate change and flooding, coupled with long-standing disinvestment, systemic injustices, degraded infrastructure, and lack of access to nature. As climate change impacts continue to accelerate, increased problems related to urban flooding, stormwater runoff, and infrastructure limitations all threaten public health, water quality, economic opportunity, and quality of life. These factors compound efforts by Chicago communities, especially those on the South Side—who are pursuing economic and environmental recovery from these systemic failings and legacy injustice.
Additionally, the Chicago Regional Trees Initiative’s most recent tree census showed a continued loss of trees in South Side neighborhoods while also having hundreds of vacant/underutilized properties. This loss of tree canopy increases urban heat island effects, further threatening public health during extreme heat events, and the prevalence of impervious surfaces exacerbate stormwater runoff and localized flooding. Property values in South Side neighborhoods are impacted by poorly maintained and vacant lots, and there is a lack of access to employment opportunities and workforce development training, negatively impacting the economic wellbeing of residents.
Project Overview
Delta Institute is working to improve environmental quality while also increasing economic development opportunity in Chicago’s South Side communities through several initiatives that support Emerald South’s Terra Firma project—a project that focuses on the revitalization of vacant land primarily in the South Shore, Washington Park, and Woodlawn neighborhoods.
As such, Delta intends to undertake the following four tasks:
- Maintenance and improvement of the Terra Firma vacant lots
- Community engagement and mapping
- Workforce development
- Rebuilding community garden capacity
This Request for Proposals is focused on maintenance and improvement of the Terra Firma vacant lots (Task 1). Delta Institute seeks to identify and partner with local nonprofits, community-based organizations, and businesses including small businesses that are in and/or serve the communities of Woodlawn, Washington Park, and South Shore to advance landscape maintenance in these neighborhoods.
The primary goal is to ensure these spaces remain clean, safe, and vibrant for community use.
Delivery of services will be in accordance with the terms, conditions, and requirements set forth in this Request for Proposals.
Successful vendors will provide the specified requirements in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, standards, and regulations necessary to perform the scope of services.
Acknowledgements
This funding is provided through generous support of the Restore, Reinvest, and Renew (R3) Program by the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA).
Project Scope
The selected firm(s) shall serve as part of the Project Team for the project and shall, at a minimum, complete the following scope of work from May 5, 2025, through October 31, 2025.
Services to be rendered are detailed in the linked RFP. The maximum budget is $121,000, which covers both the inspection and maintenance. All the project vacant lots must be inspected within the project timeline.
The proposed budget and narrative should specify how many lots the selected contractor can inspect per week along with an estimated submission date for the comprehensive Project-Wide Assessment Report.
The proposed budget and narrative should specify how many lots the selected contractor can maintain per week until October 31, 2025 in addition to the inspections while staying within this budget and the project timeline.
We highly recommend the selected contractor to use ESRI survey123 in a laptop or mobile device connected to the internet during the inspection or the maintenance visits to facilitate the transmission of inspection logs and maintenance logs. An app is not required. A link to complete the log will be provided on award of the contract. The proposal should specify whether the contractor will be able to use it.
The contractor shall furnish all labor, material, tools, equipment, transportation, insurance, incidentals, and other facilities to perform all work.
Contractors might need to work with community members (where/as appropriate).
The chosen Contractor is expected to work closely with Delta Institute to ensure that the project’s implementation work is properly completed in a cost-effective, responsive, and timely manner.