B-46817 Agency Travel Card Question and Answer Addendum 1.docx

The document is an Addendum 1 for Invitation for Bid (IFB) 25-586SBE-FINAN-B-46817 issued by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), addressing a question regarding agency travel card services. The solicitation seeks a vendor to provide a commercial travel and transportation payment system for official state government travel and lodging expenses, with bids due by May 22, 2025. The contract will have an initial term through June 30, 2034, with a maximum total contract term of ten years. Notably, the addendum explicitly clarifies that a debit card solution is not acceptable for this procurement.

The procurement has an estimated annual dollar value of $330,000, with most revenues generated through card contractor fees at no direct cost to the state. The vendor must provide a comprehensive travel card system meeting specific requirements, including worldwide card acceptance, detailed monthly reporting, emergency card replacement, and 24/7 customer service. The state will evaluate bids based on responsiveness, responsibility, and lowest overall total price, with potential preferences for U.S.-manufactured products. The solicitation includes set-aside considerations for veteran-owned and small businesses, and the cards are strictly limited to travel and lodging expenses, prohibiting cash advances or retail purchases. An administrative fee of $15 will be deducted from the first contract payment, and the procurement may be partially or totally funded with federal funds.