3-Justification Form - Clarity - 9.3.2025.pdf

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Attached to
Sole Source Public Review - Budget Planning Software Support
Solicitation number
WM2528
Issued by
Cook County, Illinois

About this file

This is a Sole Source/Bid Waiver Justification document from City Colleges of Chicago (CCC), specifically involving the Financial Planning & Budget department's request to continue services with Clarity Partners for Anaplan software support. The document seeks approval for a sole source procurement of budget planning software support services, valued up to $50,000. The contract covers routine system maintenance, data integration, user support, and custom enhancements to optimize budgeting and planning processes. Clarity Partners has been working with CCC since 2018 to build and maintain their Anaplan budgeting and financial management system.

The justification emphasizes Clarity Partners' unique qualifications, noting they have been the sole consultants responsible for building and maintaining CCC's Anaplan system since its inception. The procurement is being pursued under the "professional expert" sole source criteria, with educational funds designated for the purchase. The document highlights that significant time and resources have been invested in the current system, and changing vendors would be cost-prohibitive and disruptive. The price will be dependent on the amount of hours worked, utilizing consultants with existing knowledge of CCC's processes and Anaplan system. The request is for a new sole source procurement with no anticipated future obligations or renewals specified.

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Only one known source that can provide the commodity or service.

Procurement of public utility services Compatibility (e.g., a public safety, CCC requiring a specific piece of equipment to be compatible with an existing equipment system) Limited or proprietary systems (i.e. additional licenses, updates, specialized replacement parts, etc.)

A professional expert is requested.

Sales territories or product availability within limited geographic boundaries.

Other

Rev 3/2023 VC Initial ψψψψψψ

Sole Source/Bid Waiver Justification

Below are the following Sole Source/Bid Waiver Criteria. If your purchase meets any of the following criteria, please complete the form and submit to Procurement Services at solesource@ccc.edu

What is a Sole Source Procurement?

A “sole source” procurement can be defined as any contract entered into without a competitive process, based on a justification that only one known source exists or that only one single supplier can fulfill the requirement. Although CCC generally does not permit non-competitive procurements by statute, exceptions are allowed where competition is not feasible. Even though the procurement isn’t competed, you still need to maintain a history of the process. It will be especially important for you to document the circumstances and rationale for not competing the solicitation. This form is used for this documentation.

Examples of acceptable exceptions from the competitive procurement process may include (but are not limited to):

Only one known source exists for supplies of services or products as determined by documented research.

No other reasonable alternative source exists that meets the CCC requirements.

Only one source meets the business needs of the CCC (e.g., compatibility, unique feature to meet CCC’s

Procurement of public utility services.

What’s not a Sole Source Procurement?

A CCC requirement for a particular proprietary product or service does not automatically justify a sole source procurement if there is more than one potential bidder of offeror for that item.

A CCC preference for a specific brand or name product does not justify a sole source procurement.

A good’s or service’s “uniqueness” alone may not qualify the producer or supplier of the good or service as a sole provider.

Why are you requesting a Sole Source Waiver?

Check the reason below explaining why you are requesting a Sole Source/Bid Waiver for this purchase:

business need, etc.)

VC Initial ψψψψψψ

Sole Source/Bid Waiver Justification Application

Email address:

Contract or Board Report number:

Vendor:

Actual Estimated Value of initial term, or if a renewal, value of this renewal: $ (Attach the proposal received)

Number of potential/remaining renewals:

Length of each renewal in months:

Choose one of the following:

New Sole Source

Sole Source renewal Change Order or Amendment to an existing Sole Source Value of all/remaining renewals: $

Provide a description of the supplies or services required:

Select the type of funding to be used: Educational Funds Capital Funds Grant Funds

Other (Explain):

This purchase is economically only available from a single source because it is:

Art or Entertainment Services or Athletic Events

Critical changes to the existing contract are necessary and best accomplished by the original contract holder Federal/CCC Grant requires contract with specific vendor

(attach Grant Award Agreement) Item is copyrighted or patented and the item is only available from the holder

Copyright or Patent Number(s):

Media for advertising Organization memberships (Dues, fees, conference charges including mandated travel and related expenses)

Has CCC purchased these supplies/services in the past? Yes No

If yes, STARTING WITH THE MOST RECENT CONTRACT AND WORKING BACKWARD, for the entire relationship with this vendor for this supply or service, list each term, value, short description and type of procurement of each:

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Rev 3/2023

Name of requestor:

Department/School:

Project title:

Compatibility with existing/current equipment, accessories, replacement parts or service

Items are needed for trial use or testing

Public utility regulated services Radio and television broadcast rights software license/ upgrade/maintenance

Other (Explain):

VC Initial ______

Business Rationale

1. Provide a detailed explanation of the need for the supplies or services:

2. What are the unique features of the supplies or services that are not available in any other product or by any other vendor?

Provide specific, quantifiable factors/qualifications:

3.

4. Were alternative supplies or services evaluated? Yes No

a. If yes, what were they and why were they unacceptable? If no, why were alternatives not evaluated?

Please be specific with regard to features, characteristics, requirements, capabilities and compatibility:

5. What efforts were made to get the best possible price?

6. Will this purchase obligate the CCC to this vendor for future purchases such as maintenance, licensing or continuing needs?

Yes No If yes, please provide details regarding future obligations and/or needs:

7. Why is the price for this purchase considered to be fair and reasonable?

8. If this is a renewal, describe why circumstances are such that competitive selection is still not an alternative since awarding the original contract:

9. What will be the financial or other impact to CCC if this sole source is not approved and a competitive solicitation is required?

Department/College Representative Signature Printed Name Date

Rev 3/2023

If professional services, what are the unique qualifications the vendor possess?

Provide specific. measureable factors/qualifications:

Department/College Representative Signature Required I know and understand the contents of this Sole Source /Bid Waiver Justification and attest that all statements are true and correct.

Department/College Representative Signature Printed Name Date

VC/ College President Signature

Procurement Approval and Signature Required

Printed Name Date

Printed Name Date

Sole Source/Bid Waiver Justification

Only one known source that can provide the commodity or service: Off
Compatibility eg a public safety CCC requiring a specific piece of equipment to be compatible with an: Off
Limited or proprietary systems ie additional licenses updates specialized replacement parts etc: Off
A professional expert is requested: On
New Sole Source: On
Sole Source Renewal: Off
Change Order or Amendment to an Existing Sole Source: Off
Educational Funds: On
Capital Funds: Off
Grant Funds: Off
Other Explain:
Other Explain_2: Professional expert (see below)
Numbers:
Term FromOne:
Term ToOne:
ValueOne:
DescriptionOne:
Vendor SelectionOne:
Term FromTwo:
Term ToTwo:
ValueTwo:
DescriptionTwo:
Vendor SelectionTwo:
Term FromThree:
Term ToThree:
ValueThree:
DescriptionThree:
Vendor SelectionThree:
Term FromFour:
Term ToFour:
ValueFour:
DescriptionFour:
Vendor SelectionFour:
Term FromFive:
Term ToFive:
ValueFive:
DescriptionFive:
Vendor SelectionFive:
Term FromSix:
Term ToSix:
ValueSix:
DescriptionSix:
Vendor SelectionSix:
Term FromSeven:
Term ToSeven:
ValueSeven:
DescriptionSeven:
Vendor SelectionSeven:
Term FromEight:
Term ToEight:
ValueEight:
DescriptionEight:
Vendor SelectionEight:
Term FromNine:
Term ToNine:
ValueNine:
DescriptionNine:
Vendor SelectionNine:
Term FromTen:
Term ToTen:
ValueTen:
DescriptionTen:
Vendor SelectionTen:
If more than 10 years explain:
Provide a detailed explanation of the need for the supplies or services: The Anaplan software is a critical system used by CCC to prepare the annual budget. Clarity Partners provides software support in order to maintain and enhance this system including routine system maintenance, data integration, user support, and custom enhancements to optimize budgeting and planning processes. From 2018 to 2024, Clarity Partners were included as subcontractors in our contract with Anaplan in order to build and maintain the system. Anaplan requested Clarity Partners to be removed from Anaplan's renewal agreement approved in July 2024 in order to streamline Anaplan's contract renewal process. This resulted in the Anaplan renewal contract now including licensing only and no longer including the needed software support services provided by Clarity Partners.
What are the unique features of the supplies or services that are not available in any other product or by any: Since 2018, Clarity Partners has worked with CCC to build and maintain our Anaplan budgeting and financial management system. They are intimately familiar with the specifics of our Anaplan configuration, as well as CCC's systems, processes, and requirements.
Were alternative supplies or services evaluated: Partner has unique qualifications
What efforts were made to get the best possible price: The price will be dependent on the amount of hours worked. Utilizing the consultants who have existing knowledge of CCC's processes and Anaplan system build will reduce the cost compared to the additional costs of bringing a new vendor up to speed.
Will this purchase obligate the CCC to this vendor for future purchases such as maintenance licensing or:
If this is a renewal describe why circumstances are such that competitive selection is still not an alternative: N/A
What will be the financial or other impact to the CCC if this sole source is not approved and a competitive: Clarity Partners have been the sole consultants responsible for building and maintaining CCC's Anaplan system since its inception. Significant time was invested with these specific consultants regarding CCC's systems, process, and requirements. This amount on onboarding time would be cost prohibitive to bring a new vendor up to speed with CCC's Anaplan system, integrated systems, processes, and requirements within our budget constraints.
2025-09-03T15:03:50-0500
Dan Kirschner
Public Utility: Off
Sales territories or product availability within limited geographic boundaries: Off
Other: Off
Explanation of Other:
VC Initial_3:
VC Initial_2:
Name of Requestor: Daniel Kirschner
DepartmentSchool: Financial Planning & Budget
Project Title: Budget Planning Software Support
Email Address: dkirschner@ccc.edu
Bulletin or Reference Number:
Term Value: up to 50,000
Number of PotentialRemaining Renewals: N/A
Length of Each Renewal in Months: N/A
Value of AllRemaining Renewals: N/A
Provide a description of the supplies or services required 2: This contract covers Anaplan software support services including routine system maintenance, data integration, user support, and custom enhancements to optimize budgeting and planning processes.
Actual: Off
Estimated: On
Vendor: Clarity Partners, LLC
Art: Off
Compatibility: Off
Critical: Off
Fed Grant: Off
Copyright: Off
Trial: Off
Media: Off
Membership: Off
Utility: Off
Radio: Off
Other 2: On
Services - Provide specific quantifiable factorsqualifications 2: Clarity Partners have been the sole consultants responsible for building and maintaining CCC's Anaplan system since its inception. Significant time was invested with these specific consultants regarding CCC's systems, process, and requirements. This amount of onboarding time would be cost prohibitive to bring a new vendor up to speed with CCC's Anaplan system, integrated systems, processes, and requirements within our budget and time constraints.
Yes: Off
No: On
Yes2: Off
No2: On
Yes3: Off
No3: On
Fair and reasonable: The cost is based on the work performed
Date1: 9/3/2025
Printed Name1: Daniel Kirschner
Printed Name2:
Date2:
Printed Name3:
Date3:
Printed Name4:
Date4:

File details come from the government source that posted it. Updated .