Database Subscriptions Questions and Answers 4.docx

Question Set 4 ILSOS Illinois State Library Database Subscriptions

24-350SOS-LIBRA-B-41700

1. Can we submit more than one offer per Digital Content Area (e.g., two-to-three different bundle options under one category, representing different resources and/or coverage levels)? If yes, can you please advise on how we should present this kind of offer, where the portal only allows one price to be entered per Digital Content Area, and how the pricing evaluation would proceed in this case??

No, only one offer may be submitted. ILSOS is evaluating how you propose to meet the content areas of requested coverage. In order to fairly evaluate pricing, we have to compare apples to apples with other vendors. Submitting different prices would constitute submitting two different responses

1. When referring to GeoIP, please can you confirm if this is being used as a shortened form of geolocation authentication via IP or is it specific to GeoIP, a service provided by MaxMind?

It is geolocation authentication via IP

1. Is the requirement that a user first logs in to an Illinois Public Library System and then follows a link to a product, or is the expectation that the users would go directly to the product? This is also related to the GeoIP authentication requirement.

The expectation is that a user goes directly to a vendor’s product once they have been authenticated either by geolocation and/or any authentication method used by individual libraries.

1. The invoicing requirement reads like ILSOS wants to be invoiced at the end of each contracting term/year. Can you confirm that we’re interpreting that correctly?

The invoicing terms are negotiable, but ILSOS is prohibited form paying for services in advance.

1. RFP requirements provide instructions on what to provide if the vendor is not registered with the state; in our case, we are registered and have been certified with all the required agencies. We have been doing business with Illinois for years; the forms identified in the RFP are required as a condition of business, so we maintain and files the appropriate paperwork for re-certification annually. The instructions indicate our response could be disqualified if we don’t complete the forms identified. Can you please clarify which documents (if any) we need to return with the response if we are currently registered and doing business with Illinois?

Offerors should complete the Vendor Disclosure Forms linked here: https://cpo-general.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/cpo-general/general/documents/vendor-disclosure-(formerly-forms-a)-v.24.1.docx The Vendor Disclosure Form walks offerors through each requirement described within the RFP.

1. We see the primary focus of the RFP is to meet the research needs of the citizens of Illinois, primarily via Public Libraries, K-12, Colleges/Universities, and remote access for those citizens that are not served by a Public Library. With the inclusion of some Special Libraries, including for-profit corporations and hospitals, we are limited on what we can offer the state. However, to give the greatest access to all the databases/services in our offer to every Illinois Public Library, K-12, College/University, and remote access for those citizens that are not served by a Public Library, we would have to limit access to specific databases for Special Libraries (primarily corporations). Would this be acceptable?

Offerors will be evaluated on how well its proposal meets the needs of ILSOS as outlined in Section B and Section D.5 of the RFP.

1. Further to Question 6 in the released “Database Subscriptions Questions and Answers 3” – we have noted sections D.2.8 through D.2.11 and D.4 are mandatory. To confirm, minor exceptions/caveats are allowed to other parts of section D, correct, and could be outlined in our Technical response for your review?

This is correct.

1. Can you please clarify section H – how should this be filled? Are the State Supplemental Provisions with green instances of “click here to enter text” not applicable?

Vendors should only reference the State Supplemental Provisions that are listed regarding Data Security Standards and Security Policy.

1. Regarding Section D.5, Digital Content Areas – when content details are asked to be provided “in each subject area” (e.g., under section D.5.5.2, D.5.8.6, D.5.9.7) – are these meant to be self-defined subject areas covered in our resources, or do you mean subject area as in the Digital Content Area (e.g., subject area = General Interest, Business, etc. as a whole)?

The intent is for the vendor define and describe the subject areas/content covered in the resources included in their response.

1. Regarding the Vendor Disclosure Forms, we are asked to disclose a list of current / pending contracts with units of State of Illinois government. Do you have a list of these units available online somewhere? If not, would you be able to provide further definition of what customers might constitute a unit of State of Illinois government? E.g., strictly government-level accounts, or also state-funded academic institutions, schools and public libraries? Is there a contact on your side that would have access to / could pull a list of our current agreements State agency is defined in the Illinois Procurement Code (30 ILCS 500/1-15.100) as follows: State agency. "State agency" means and includes all boards, commissions, agencies, institutions, authorities, and bodies politic and corporate of the State, created by or in accordance with the constitution or statute, of the executive branch of State government and does include colleges, universities, and institutions under the jurisdiction of the governing boards of the University of Illinois, Southern Illinois University, Illinois State University, Eastern Illinois University, Northern Illinois University, Western Illinois University, Chicago State University, Governors State University, Northeastern Illinois University, and the Board of Higher Education. However, this term does not apply to public employee retirement systems or investment boards that are subject to fiduciary duties imposed by the Illinois Pension Code or to the University of Illinois Foundation. "State agency" does not include units of local government, school districts, community colleges under the Public Community College Act, and the Illinois Comprehensive Health Insurance Board