DuPage County's Public Works Committee approved a contract worth nearly $149,000 to upgrade door systems at the county jail on Tuesday, Sept. 15.
The committee awarded the work to Valley Secure Inc., doing business as Valley Security Company, to furnish and install four door operator systems at the DuPage County Jail. The contract runs from Sept. 22, 2026, through Sept. 21, 2027, and caps at $148,925, according to committee minutes. The award followed a competitive bid process under bid #26-063-FM.
Committee member Dawn DeSart made the motion. Member Paula Deacon Garcia seconded it. The contract now goes to the Finance Committee before final execution.
The committee also advanced a larger deal. Members accepted and placed on file a three-year contract with Thomas Engineering Group LLC for preliminary and design engineering services covering both the Division of Transportation and Facilities Management. The contract runs from Sept. 22, 2026, through Oct. 31, 2029, and is capped at $600,000. Of that, $450,000 is earmarked for transportation projects and $150,000 for facilities work.
Deacon Garcia moved the Thomas Engineering contract. DeSart seconded.
Thomas Engineering Group already has a working relationship with the county. DuPage County's FY2026 vendor expenditure report shows the firm received payments for engineering services earlier this fiscal year under separate purchase orders. The firm was selected through a qualification-based process required by the Illinois Local Government Professional Services Selection Act.
That contract also requires Finance Committee action before it takes effect. Both contracts, if finalized, will be funded by DuPage County taxpayers, including Downers Grove, Woodridge and Westmont residents.
Committee Chair Michael Childress, a DuPage County Board member, called the meeting to order at 9 a.m. Vice Chair Jim Zay participated remotely by teleconference.
In a single voice vote, the committee closed out seven expired Facilities Management service contracts. The vendors and their remaining encumbrance amounts were:
- Petroleum Trader Corporation: $82,581.20
- Advanced Boiler Control: $41,654.91
- Taylor Studios Inc.: $23,842.59
- Olsson Roofing: $19,224.40
- Voris Mechanical Inc.: $14,135.75
- Gehrke Technology Group Inc.: $12,357
- Valdes Supply: $10,388.32
Deacon Garcia moved the consent items. Member Mary Ozog seconded.
No members of the public spoke at the meeting. Both new contracts head to the Finance Committee for final action.
