2-Sole Source LetterTRI-BAR S.A.pdf

Address: AV 1A Sur, PH Royal Tower | Email: info@stepbysteptravel.net | Website: www.stepbysteptravel.net

Monday July 13, 2026

To:

City Colleges of Chicago

Procurement and Contract Administration Department

Subject: Sole Source Letter – Integrated Destination Management Services for Academic Programs in the Republic of Panama

Dear Procurement Committee:

TRI-BAR, S.A., a Panamanian company operating under the registered trade name Step by Step Travel, hereby certifies that our organization is the sole source for the integrated Destination Management

Services (DMC) proposed for the academic program to be conducted in the Republic of Panama.

TRI-BAR, S.A., provides comprehensive Destination Management Services for international educational institutions, academic groups, and organizations requiring professional coordination of travel, logistics, cultural experiences, and experiential learning programs throughout the Republic of

Panama.

Our services include program planning, hotel accommodations, ground transportation, educational and cultural activities, guided excursions, local supplier coordination, logistical management, on-site assistance, and complete program execution under a single point of responsibility.

Our organization is uniquely qualified to provide these services based on the following capabilities:

Licensed and Authorized Tour Operator

TRI-BAR, S.A. is a fully licensed Panamanian Tour Operator authorized by the Panama Tourism

Authority (Autoridad de Turismo de Panamá – ATP) under Tourism License No. 751-AV.

The company provides its destination management and travel services commercially under the registered trade name Step by Step Travel, operating in compliance with the applicable tourism regulations and professional standards established in the Republic of Panama.

Experienced Leadership and Industry Expertise

Although TRI-BAR, S.A. has operated under the Step by Step Travel brand since 2018, our owners, executive leadership, and administrative team collectively possess more than 15–20 years of professional experience in destination management, hospitality, tourism operations, educational travel, and international group logistics.

http://www.stepbysteptravel.net/ http://www.stepbysteptravel.net/

Our leadership team combines extensive industry expertise, strong professional backgrounds, and in-depth knowledge of Panama’s tourism infrastructure, culture resources, and operational environment.

Nationwide Operational Capacity

TRI-BAR, S.A. maintains operational offices in Panama City and in the Province of Chiriquí, allowing us to efficiently coordinate services throughout the Republic of Panama.

Our geographic presence enables us to manage programs across Panama’s principal academic, cultural, ecological, and tourism destinations while providing responsive local support and operational continuity throughout each program.

Established Network of Qualified Local Partners

Through years of operation, TRI-BAR, S.A. has developed and maintained an extensive network of carefully selected and trusted local partners throughout Panama, including hotels, transportation providers, restaurants, bilingual guides, activity operators, cultural organizations, educational institutions, and specialized service providers.

These long-standing relationships, combined with our local market knowledge and operational experience, allow us to consistently deliver reliable, high-quality services while ensuring safety, efficiency, flexibility, and continuity throughout the entire program.

Integrated Destination Management Solution

Unlike providers that offer only individual travel components, TRI-BAR, S.A. provides a complete and fully integrated Destination Management Solution through centralized planning, coordination, and execution.

Our team assumes responsibility for the complete operational management of each program, including accommodations, transportation, scheduling, educational visits, cultural experiences, excursions, supplier coordination, participant support, emergency assistance, and on-site supervision from arrival through departure.

This integrated approach provides a single point of accountability, reduces logistical complexity, enhances communication efficiency, and ensures consistent quality control throughout the entire program.

Local Expertise and Customized Academic Experiences

Our extensive knowledge of Panama’s geography, culture, communities, educational resources, transportation systems, and tourism infrastructure enables TRI-BAR, S.A. to design and execute customized academic travel experiences aligned with the objectives of international educational institutions.

Our local expertise allows us to provide programs that combine educational value, cultural immersion, operational excellence, and participant safety.

Professional Memberships

TRI-BAR, S.A. is an active member of the Chiriqui Chamber of Tourism, Commerce, Industry, and

Agriculture, demonstrating our commitment to professional standards, ethical business practices, and continuous improvement within Panama’s tourism sector.

Sole Source Determination

The combination of our licensed operations, experienced leadership, nationwide operational presence, established supplier network, destination expertise, and integrated management approach represents a specialized service capability developed and maintained by TRI-BAR, S.A.

Our operational structure, local partnerships, destination knowledge, and ability to coordinate all program components through a single point of responsibility provide a unique solution that cannot be readily replicated by another provider without affecting the continuity, efficiency, coordination, and quality of services required for this specific academic program.

For these reasons, TRI-BAR, S.A. certifies that it is the sole source for the integrated Destination

Management Services required for this academic program within the Republic of Panama.

This certification is issued in good faith and represents accurate information to the best of our knowledge.

Should additional information or supporting documentation be required, we would be pleased to provide it.

Sincerely, Jackieline Rodriguez

Authorized Representative

TRI-BAR, S.A.

Panama City, Republic of Panama Email: info@stepbysteptravel.net Telephone: +507 6104 1000