Bid Amendment - Vendor question B-49001.docx

This document is a Bid Amendment for a cable television service contract issued by the Illinois Department of Corrections for the Sheridan Correctional Center. The solicitation seeks a vendor to provide comprehensive cable services for 1,740 facility drops/hookups over a five-year contract term from October 1, 2025, to September 30, 2030. The contract requires the delivery of 57 standard channels, four programmable dedicated facility channels, four digital music channels from SiriusXM, and four religious channels. Vendors must provide all necessary equipment, installation, maintenance, and signal quality, with mandatory 24/7 technical support and a commitment to dispatch a service technician within 24 hours of notification. The bid submission deadline is September 3, 2025, with bids required to remain firm for 90 days from opening.

The procurement includes specific set-aside provisions favoring small businesses, with non-small business participation restricted to no more than 49% of the contract value. Vendors must be registered in the Illinois Small Business Set-Aside Program and complete mandatory documentation, including the Illinois Procurement Gateway Active Registered Vendor Disclosure form and Vendor Disclosure form. The state offers potential tax credits for hiring qualified veterans and ex-offenders. Evaluation criteria will focus on responsiveness, responsibility, and pricing, with the state intending to award to the lowest priced responsive and responsible bidder. All bidders must comply with strict Department of Corrections security protocols, including comprehensive background checks for personnel. The procurement will be conducted exclusively through electronic bid submissions via BidBuy, with the state reserving the right to amend the solicitation, reject any or all bids, and make award determinations in the best interest of the state.