The Planning and Community Development Department issued a Downtown Parking Signs package for bid in April 2019. The package included new blade signs for the North Garage and Vail Avenue Garage, two blade signs total. The package also included pole-mounted parking signs for the Downtown surface parking lots and Underground Garage, six pole-mounted signs total.  During the initial planning phase and early discussions with the Village Board, preliminary cost estimates were obtained from three sign companies.

On May 28, 2019, a public bid opening was held, and one bid was received from QT Signs, Schaumburg, IL:

ORIGINAL BID
Pole-mounted Parking Sign:              $19,978 each              x  6         $119,868
Parking Garage Blade Sign:               $29,928 each              x  2         $59,857
Delivery & Installation Pole Sign:       $6,742 each                 x  6        $40,452
Delivery & Installation Blade Sign:     $6,789 each                 x  2        $13,578
ORIGINAL BID TOTAL:                                                                 $233,755

The bid received was higher than the cost estimates for the project, which ranged from $120,544 to $135,498.  One of the companies who provided an estimate reported that they could not provide a bid for the project due to their current workload.  QT Signs has successfully completed multiple previous signage projects for Arlington Heights, so Staff worked with QT signs to explore options to reduce the cost, including review of an itemized bid breakdown.  For the blade signs, the cabinet thickness and structural attachment to the building were revised, resulting in a cost savings of $4,944 per blade sign.  For the pole-mounted signs, an alternate pole manufacturer was selected, resulting in a cost savings of $1,282 per sign.  Additionally, Staff is recommending omitting the two pole-mounted signs facing Evergreen Avenue, for a total of four pole-mounted signs instead of six.

REVISED BID
Pole-mounted Parking Sign ($1,282 savings): $18,696 each     x  4     $74,784
Parking Garage Blade Sign ($4,944 savings): $24,984 each     x  2      $49,968
Delivery & Installation Pole Sign:                   $6,742 each        x  4     $26,968
Delivery & Installation Blade Sign:                 $6,789 each       x  2      $13,578
REVISED BID TOTAL:                                                                   $165,298


RECOMMENDATION

It is recommended that the Village Board award QT Signs of Schaumburg, Illinois the contract for two Parking Garage Blade Signs and four Pole-mounted Parking Signs in the amount of $165,298.00. It is further recommended that the Municipal Parking Fund budget be amended by transferring $165,300 from Parking Fund reserves to account #235-7101-571-50-25, and to authorize Staff to execute the necessary documents.