SBE: Sole Source - The College Board

The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has awarded a sole source procurement contract to The College Entrance Examination Board (College Board) for Advanced Placement (AP) Test Fee reimbursements targeting low-income students. The contract, identified by Bulletin Reference Number 25-586SBE-CHFED-B-46317, is valued at $2.5M and covers the fiscal year spanning from August 11, 2025, to June 30, 2026. The procurement will fund reduced-cost AP examinations, with ISBE committed to paying a minimum of $28 per exam, resulting in a maximum student fee of $25 per exam for qualifying participants.

The contract leverages state-appropriated funds to eliminate financial barriers for low-income students seeking to take Advanced Placement exams. The College Board, recognized as the exclusive administrator of AP exams and holding the registered trademark, will be the sole vendor invoicing Illinois school districts for fee-reduced examinations. Exams will be ordered in November 2025 and administered in May 2026, with ISBE only compensating for used exams. This sole source justification is predicated on The College Board's unique position as the standard AP testing provider under Illinois School Code, ensuring a targeted approach to expanding educational opportunities for economically disadvantaged students.