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Trustees choose higher-bid supplier for Oakwood Cemetery columbarium, citing warranties and schematics
Summary
After reviewing two bids, trustees voted to select Eichoff over a lower-priced rendering from Monument Warehouse, citing missing schematics, warranty concerns and Midwest installation experience.
DeKalb Township trustees voted Jan. 20 to award the Oakwood Cemetery columbarium supply and installation to the bidder the township described as better documented and more responsible despite a higher price.
Speaker 1 reviewed the two proposals that came in response to a public solicitation. "Eichoff put in a bid for supplying the columbarium at $90,965 and with crane operator it would increase the price to $93,630," Speaker 1 said. "Monument Warehouse prices came in at just supplying the columbarium at $67,250, and working with the crane operator, $74,700."
Speaker 1 told trustees that Monument Warehouse provided only a computer rendering and, according to the record, had not built that rendering in the Midwest. "I contacted the owner of that company and did confirm that the computer rendering is something that they've never actually built before," Speaker 1 said. The township attorney advised caution, and trustees raised concerns about foundation schematics and cold-climate performance.
A township staffer reported that Monument Warehouse had not submitted required schematics for foundation design; Eichoff’s submission included supporting details and examples. Trustees expressed a preference for selecting the proposal with stronger engineering documentation and references to reduce the risk of future settlement or frost-related movement.
The board approved the recommendation to proceed with the more fully documented supplier. Speaker 1 estimated installation could take up to six months from contract to completion, and said installation would occur after the park development stage to avoid damage to new landscaping.
Trustees instructed staff to finalize contract terms, confirm crane pricing and foundation requirements, and coordinate installation timing with the park project.
