Pre-award memo · TR-2026-0044SAMPLE DATA

Contract I-26-4901 — Bridge rehabilitation, Mile Post 17.8–21.2

Generated Aug 31, 2026 · 5:10 PM Trigger Scheduled run Source Illinois Tollway public records, 2015–2026
The low bid is $41,200,000 (Meridian Heavy Civil). Adjusted for each bidder's own contract history, the lowest expected cost is Lakeshore Constructors at $44.0M.
Meridian Heavy Civil Bid № 1Adjusted № 2
Bid
$41.2M
Historical growth
+9.0%
median +7.4%
Adjusted cost
$44.9M
Record
12 contracts
$312M awarded → $340M authorized

Recurring cause of growth: unforeseen underground conditions — 6 of 12 contracts.

I-19-4390 · Res. 21106 · +$2,215,000Source
"utility relocation conflicts requiring redesign of storm sewer alignment"
I-21-4512 · Res. 22471 · +$1,840,000Source
"to provide for underground obstruction removals encountered during caisson installation"
I-24-4855 · Res. 24102 · +$1,560,000Source
"differing site conditions in the west abutment excavation"
I-23-4760 · Res. 23611 · +$1,405,000Source
"removal of buried foundations not shown on the contract plans"
I-18-4301 · Res. 20544 · +$1,120,000Source
"differing site conditions at pier foundations requiring rock excavation beyond plan depth"
Lakeshore Constructors Bid № 2Adjusted № 1
Bid
$43.1M
Historical growth
+2.1%
median +1.8%
Adjusted cost
$44.0M
Record
8 contracts
$205M awarded → $209M authorized

Recurring cause of growth: materials and pricing — 3 of 8 contracts.

I-22-4718 · Res. 23054 · +$610,000Source
"structural steel price escalation per contract special provision 109.04"
I-19-4372 · Res. 21044 · +—Source
"extension of time due to winter shutdown, no additional cost"
I-23-4802 · Res. 23820 · +—Source
"fuel and material price adjustment per published index"
I-21-4560 · Res. 22610 · +—Source
"railroad coordination delay at the Union Pacific crossing"
I-20-4455 · Res. 21902 · +—Source
"asphalt price adjustment per special provision, no additional contract time"
Calumet Bridge & Iron Bid № 3Adjusted —
Bid
$44.0M
Insufficient history. 2 comparable prior contracts found. Track Record does not compute growth from fewer than 3, so this bidder appears in the bid ranking only.

Limitations. Growth is computed from the agency's own published award and authorized amounts. Stated reasons are quoted verbatim from board resolutions, which are written to obtain approval and reflect the agency's own framing. Increases absorbed within contingency or below board approval thresholds never appear in public documents and are not counted here. This memo supplies a missing variable; it is not a recommendation.

A human decides from here