4-Complete with Docusign Stella Jones Sole Sou.pdf

Sole Source Justification Application

Rev. 9/2025

C I T Y C O L L E G E S O F C H I C A G O

Sole Source Justification Application

Why are you requesting a Sole Source Waiver?

☐Only one known source that can provide the commodity or service. Procurement of public utility services.

☐Compatibility (e.g. CCC requires a specific piece of equipment to be compatible with an existing equipment system).

☐Public safety concerns.

☐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 _______________________________________________________

If your request does not meet any of these criteria, STOP, consult with Procurement services to identify an alternative procurement method.

Name of requestor:

Department/School:

Project title:

Email address:

Contract or Board Report number:

Vendor:

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:

Value of all/remaining renewals:$

Actual Estimated

Choose one of the following:

New Sole Source Sole Source renewal Change Order or Amendment to an existing Sole Source

Provide a description of the supplies or services required

Sherai Troxler stroxler2@ccc.edu

Dawson Technical Institute

Overhead Electrical Line Workers Program Stella-Jones Corporation

22583.10

24 months

We require procurement of treated wood utility poles for the Dawson's Overhead Electrical Line Workers Program to support overhead electrical line work training. We need treated wood utility poles, produced and treated to recognized utility standards, delivered in the quantities and on the schedule needed to support new or replacement overhead electrical line infrastructure.

75000,00

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

Items are needed for trial use or testing

Media for advertising

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

Public utility regulated services

Radio and television broadcast rights software license/ upgrade/maintenance

Other (Explain):

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:

Term Term From: Term To: Value Description Vendor Selection

One Two

Three Four Five Six

Seven Eight Nine Ten

If more than 10 years, explain:

8/22/2024 12/11/2024 $29326.44 Utility poles Stella-Jones

3/10/2025 5/10/2025 $24870.00 Utility poles Stella-Jones

8/25/2025 12/14/2025 $22583.10 Utility poles Stella-Jones

To our knowledfge we have been in business with Stella-Jones for the past 18yrs. However, we are only able to provide documents of orders placed during our tenure.

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

Provide specific. measureable factors/qualifications:

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?

The OELW program requires 40–65 ft treated utility poles that meet industry standards for climbing, rigging, rescue training, and real-world utility work. These poles are essential to operating our pole yard and delivering the hands-on instruction required for students to successfully pass ComEd’s OELW assessments. To maintain safety, instructional integrity, and program continuity, DTI must procure poles that meet exact specifications. Stella-Jones has been the only vendor able to consistently provide these poles at an economical price for the past 18 years.

While other vendors technically exist, Stella-Jones is the only economically viable source for 40–65 ft utility poles that meet all required specifications. Over 18 years of program operation, multiple bid recapulations have shown that alternative suppliers either:

-Offer significantly higher pricing, -Cannot consistently supply poles in the required height range, -Have longer or unreliable delivery timelines, or -Do not treat or manufacture poles to the standards needed for utility training.

Stella-Jones is the only vendor that delivers the necessary combination of quality, specification accuracy, consistent availability, and cost-efficiency.

Not applicable. This request concerns specialized goods, not professional services.

They are unable to fulfill the required quantities or lack the necessary inventory.

DTI has conducted multiple bid recapulations, vendor outreach efforts, and price comparisons over the past 18 years. These efforts consistently revealed that other vendors either provided quotes far above budget, had inconsistent inventory, or did not meet the technical specifications required for safe line-worker training.

Alternatives were unacceptable because:

Their pricing was not economically feasible, Their poles did not meet the 40–65 ft specification or treatment requirements, and Delivery timelines would disrupt instructional operations.

Stella-Jones has proven to be the only vendor capable of fulfilling all program requirements at a sustainable cost.

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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 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

Department/College Representative Signature Printed Name Date

VC/ College President Signature

Procurement Approval and Signature

Printed Name Date

Printed Name Date

Yes. Each procurement cycle involved reviewing market rates, comparing vendor quotes when available, and consulting historical pricing. Stella-Jones has consistently provided the most economical and competitive pricing. Their longstanding relationship with the program has helped maintain price stability and ensured we receive the best value for this specialized product.

The price is reasonable because Stella-Jones has consistently offered the lowest and most cost-effective pricing across all bid recapulations performed since 2006. Additionally, their pricing reflects industry norms for poles of this size and treatment. No other vendor has been able to match their combination of:Competitive pricing,Reliable availability,Compliance with required specifications, andProven 18-year track record supplying poles without issue.This makes their pricing demonstrably fair and justified.

Precious bid recapulations have consistently demonstrated that Stella-Jones is the only vendor providing an economical and compliant option, resulting in the same outcome each time. Conducting a new RFP would duplicate prior results, delay instruction, and add unnecessary administrative steps when the market landscape has already been validated.

Failure to procure these poles from Stella-Jones would significantly disrupt the OELW program. Potential impacts include:Inability to conduct climbing, rescue, and rigging training,Delayed or cancelled academic cohorts,Reduced student readiness for ComEd assessments,Compromised safety conditions,Loss of employer confidence and pipeline partnership integrity, andNegative impacts on enrollment, completion, and job placement outcomes.The OELW program cannot function safely or effectively without proper poles. Securing them from Stella-Jones is essential to maintaining program operations.

1/6/2026 | 10:19:51 AM CSTSherai Troxler

Inesha Kelly 1/6/2026 | 2:05:32 PM CST

Jennifer Williams 1/6/2026 | 3:27:38 PM CST

2/9/2026 | 11:50:29 AM CSTNicholas Gibb