Main & Western LED Sign

VILLAGE OF PARK FOREST, ILLINOIS

Request For Proposal & Bid

Park Forest Freestanding Sign with LED Sign Component

The Village of Park Forest is accepting Sign Design Proposals, Statements of Qualifications, and Fixed Price Proposals from qualified persons, firms, and/or companies for a Design/Build Project for a new directional/informational sign, with an LED component, to be installed on the west side of Western Avenue and south of Main Street (across from Cedar Park) in Park Forest, Illinois. Please visit the Village’s web site, www.villageofparkforest.com , Discover tab, View Bids & RFPs for more information [SZ1] [AB2] and to review the specifications.

The specifications for the LED panel call for a sign no smaller than 16 square feet and no larger than 40 square feet. This range of sizes was specifically provided in order to allow for flexibility in the design of the sign. The Village will select a contractor based on both design and cost considerations. Therefore, the size of the LED panel (and resulting cost) will not be the sole basis on which a contractor will be chosen.

The new sign installation shall include the following components:

1. This RFPB requests a detailed description of surveying services to establish a minimum ‘footprint’ for the sign and the required landscaping. The RFPB also asks for a detailed bid alternate for the cost to prepare the survey.
2. The RFPB requests that the selected sign contractor shall be responsible for coordinating and completing all necessary electrical connections and setup required for the project in compliance with ComEd standards, regulations, and permitting processes. This includes, but is not limited to:
3. Coordination with ComEd for service installation, including securing necessary permits and approvals.
4. Procurement and installation of all required electrical infrastructure, such as transformers, meters, switchgear, and conduits, if necessary.
5. Compliance with ComEd’s design and construction requirements, ensuring proper voltage, phase, and capacity.
6. Scheduling and overseeing all inspections and approvals required by ComEd and local authorities.
7. Ensuring final energization of the system within the project timeline.
   1. The RFPB also asks for a detailed bid alternate for the cost of the electrical connection.
   2. The RFPB requests a landscape plan for the base of the sign, as well as a detailed alternate bid for the cost to acquire and install (both plant material and limestone). The sign design should include a proposal for landscaping as required by Appendix-A-UDO-ALL-FINAL-ADOPTED-121117-rev-11-18-2024
   3. Landscaping. All monument signs must be landscaped in accordance with the following:
      1. (1) For every one square foot of gross sign area, there shall be a minimum of two square feet of landscape area installed surrounding the base of the sign.
      2. (2) Landscaping shall utilize a variety of plant types to achieve both height variation and color interest throughout the four seasons. To provide diversity, at least three different types of plant material must be installed, excluding turf. Refer to The Morton Arboretum Northern Illinois Tree Species List for preferred plant species.
      3. (3) All landscape elements shall be kept in good condition and shall have a healthy maintained appearance.
8. The sign design, installation requirements, and materials shall meet the requirements of the Park Forest, Illinois Code of Ordinances, Appendix A – Unified Development Ordinance, Article VII: Signs.
9. Green Features Specifications
   1. The sign design should incorporate “green building” features if possible. These may include energy saving features, recycled or other “green” materials, or other features suggested by the sign contractor. Suggested green features may include, but are not limited to:
   2. Energy Efficiency:
      1. LED lighting with high energy efficiency ratings.
      2. Automatic dimming capabilities or motion sensors to reduce energy consumption during low-traffic periods.
      3. Integration of solar power or battery backup systems for improved energy sustainability.
   3. Sustainable Materials:
      1. Use of recycled or reclaimed materials in the sign structure, base, or landscaping elements.
      2. Preference for materials with low environmental impact, such as sustainably harvested wood, metal with high recycled content, or eco-friendly composite materials.
   4. Water Conservation:
      1. Drought-tolerant plant selections in the landscaping plan.
      2. Drip irrigation systems or other water-efficient methods to minimize water use.
   5. Low Maintenance Design:
      1. Durable materials that require minimal cleaning, repainting, or chemical treatments to reduce environmental impact over time.
10. A copy of the most recent study conducted by the University of Illinois students about design continuity is included as additional information on current Park Forest way-finding signs.
11. Base of sign – limestone preferred.
12. Village Logo Requirements
    1. Village logo must be incorporated into sign. The logo may not be altered in any manner and should follow the following requirements:
       1. File Format:
          1. The logo must be used in a high-resolution vector format (e.g., .EPS, .AI) to maintain clarity and scalability.
          2. Additional file types such as .PNG or .PDF may be provided for reference, but vector formats are required for production.
       2. Size and Placement:
          1. The logo must be clearly visible and proportionate to the overall sign design.
          2. Preferred placement is near the top or center of the sign to ensure prominence.
       3. Color Requirements:
          1. The logo’s official color palette must be maintained; no color modifications are permitted.
          2. For illuminated designs, ensure the logo's colors remain vibrant and true to the Village’s brand identity.
       4. Material Considerations:
          1. The logo may be produced in durable materials such as metal, acrylic, or UV-resistant vinyl to ensure long-term visual quality and protection from weather conditions.
13. One LED panel with the following specifications:
    1. ThinkSign manufacture
    2. 10mm Full color double sided electronic message center
    3. EMC includes:
       1. Communication – Cellular 4G router w/ lifetime data plan
       2. Software: Studio Cloud (cloud based, fully mobile and works on any device w/ an internet connection)
       3. Brightness/temperature sensor
    4. LED Warranty:
       1. 5 years parts
       2. 1 year labor

Proposals must be received at the Village of Park Forest Downtown Management Office, 226 Forest Blvd, Second Floor, Park Forest, IL 60466, no later than Thursday, May 15, 2025, at noon. Proposals must be sealed and clearly marked with the Proposal Title. Please provide one original proposal and two additional copies when submitting. Digital submissions are NOT accepted for this project and late submissions will not be accepted. The proposals will be publicly opened at 12:15 pm on Thursday, May 15, 2025, in the Downtown Management Office Conference Room.

Any questions or requests for clarification regarding this Request for Proposal & Bid (RFPB) must be submitted in writing via email to Heather Jones, Downtown Manager, at For security reasons, you must enable JavaScript to view this E-mail address. .

• The subject line of the email must include: " Park Forest Freestanding Sign with LED Sign Component – Question Submission."
• All questions must be submitted no later than Friday, May 2, 2025, at 5:00 PM to ensure sufficient time for response before the proposal deadline.
• Responses to submitted questions will be shared with all known potential bidders via email and posted on the Village’s website under the View Bids & RFPs section.

Addenda

Any clarifications, corrections, or changes to this RFPB will be issued in the form of an addendum. Addenda will be posted on the Village’s website under the View Bids & RFPs section. It is the responsibility of each bidder to check for any addenda prior to submitting their proposal.