HFS B521951 Pitney Bowes Postage -.pdf
PDF 840 KB Posted
- Attached to
- Pitney Bowes Mail Meter Postage FY 27
- Solicitation number
- 26-478HFS-PERSA-B-52192
- Issued by
- Illinois
About this file
This is a Sole Source Justification Form submitted by the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) for a sole economically feasible source award to Pitney Bowes, Inc. for postage services. HFS intends to purchase postage to be downloaded onto HFS-owned or leased Pitney Bowes postage meters for mail pieces sent via the United States Postal Service (USPS). The postage will be requested in arrears through Pitney Bowes' Power Purchase program at an average volume of $670,000 monthly, consisting of approximately $600,000 monthly for mass mailings and approximately $70,000 monthly for postage used by local or regional offices. The contract term is one year, from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027, with an estimated value of $8,400,000 based on a monthly projection of $700,000 to accommodate potential volume fluctuations. The need was identified on March 27, 2026, with a required service date of July 1, 2026. No formal bidders' meeting or site visit was required for this sole source procurement.
HFS justified the sole source award based on equipment compatibility, the potential loss of Federal funds if required mailed service is not provided, and Pitney Bowes' unique ability to bill in arrears for the exact postage used without additional rates, fees, or interest charges. Pitney Bowes is the only vendor that will download postage onto Pitney Bowes meters due to proprietary restrictions. Although a Request for Quotes posted through the NASPO Value Point Master Agreement indicated that NeoPost (Quadient) submitted a lower bid by approximately $10,000 annually, HFS determined that Pitney Bowes offered superior value through seamless transition, one-week deployment of new meters, and zero percent upfront financing compared to NeoPost's requirement for third-party financing and a 30-day deployment period. The contract will be funded through both State and Federal funds. HFS has maintained continuous Pitney Bowes postage contracts since at least 2019, with prior annual contracts valued at approximately $6,000,000 per year. The public hearing was canceled as no interested parties submitted written comments or requested a hearing by the May 8, 2026 deadline.
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Sole Source Justification Form Version 7.01 Page of Sole Source Justification Form - Part I Section I - General Information Will this Sole Source amend a Professional or Artistic Services contract?
If yes, what was the original contract value?
*Sole Source may not be used for amendments for Professional or Artistic Services if the amendment would increase the value by more than 5% of the initial award or extend the term by more than 60 days.
Section II - Proposed Term If a Term Contract, does the term, including renewals, exceed 12 months?
If yes, provide a detailed justification including any economic benefit received for agreeing to a multi-year term:
Section III - Funding Source Select the type of funding to be used (Check all that apply):
Section IV - Sole Source Justification Are there secondary justification(s) for this sole source?
Section V - Purchase History Has the Agency or University Purchased these supplies or services in the past?
Term Term From Term To Value Description Contract Number Type Section VI - Business Rationale
1. Provide a detailed explanation of the need for the supplies or services:
2. Provide a list and describe in detail the specifications required to satisfy the need:
3. Provide detail explaining the justification selected in Section IV to explain why the requested supplies or services are the only ones available that can satisfy the agency or university requirements?
4. 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:
5. Has the Agency or University considered alternative supplies or services to satisfy their need?
5a. If yes, name the alternative vendors whose supplies or services were evaluated:
5b. If yes, what were the alternatives for each vendor and why were they unacceptable? Be specific with regard to features, characteristics, requirements, capabilities and compatibility:
5c. Explain how the market evaluation was conducted?
*This evaluation is to determine available options within a market. If the evaluation is to determine quality or best suited option, this is not the appropriate source selection. Under no circumstances shall the evaluation consist of testing alternative options. These activities must be conducted in a competitive transparent environment (i.e. IFB or RFP).
5a. If no, why weren't alternatives evaluated?
6. Are there resellers or distributors?
7. What efforts were made to get the best possible price (i.e. did the agency/university negotiate) and how did you determine the price for this purchase is considered fair and reasonable?
8. Will this purchase obligate the State to this vendor for future purchases such as maintenance, licensing or continuing need?
8a. If yes, please provide details regarding future obligations and/or needs:
9. What will be the financial or other impact to the State if this sole source is not approved and a competitive bid is required?
10. Is there any additional information you would like to add to justify this sole source?
Section VII Requesting Department Signature Required I know and understand the contents of this Sole Source Justification and attest that all statements are true and correct and the fairness and reasonableness of the price was adequately confirmed.
State Agency Bureau/Division Head or University Purchasing Director Approval and Signature Required I know and understand the contents of this Sole Source Justification and attest that all statements are true and correct and the fairness and reasonableness of the price was adequately confirmed. (All prior form fields will lock once this e-signature is completed) SPO Approval and Signature Required Sole Source Justification Form - Part II Section I - General Information Was a Sole Source hearing held per 30 ILCS 500/20-25?
Section II - Sole Source Hearing Details The State posted to the Illinois Procurement Bulletin a description of the State's need, the justification for the sole source decision, and information regarding the opportunity to submit comments and testify at a public hearing. Notice of the hearing was also posted outside of the hearing room 48 hours prior to the hearing.
The public hearing was conducted for the purpose of receiving testimony regarding the sole source determination. The Hearing Officer recommends the following:
The following relevant documents are attached:
Section III - CPO Approval and Signature Required 9.0.0.2.20101008.1.734229
| BulletinNum: 26-478HFS-PERSA-B-52192 |
| Requesting: Healthcare and Family Services |
| CurrentPage: |
| PageCount: |
| Department: HFS/Bureau of Administrative Services/Procurement Management |
| NeedIdentifiedDate: 3/27/2026 |
| NeedbyDate: 07/01/2026 |
| ProjectTitle: Pitney Bowes Postage Sole Economically Feasible Source |
| ProjectTitle: Pitney Bowes Postage Sole Economically Feasible Source |
| Vendor: Pitney Bowes, Inc. |
| Vendor: Pitney Bowes, Inc. |
| Description: The Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) intends to award a contract to Pitney Bowes for the purchase of postage to be used on mail pieces sent via the United States Postal Service (USPS). The postage must be downloaded to HFS owned or leased Pitney Bowes postage meters. HFS requests postage, in arrears, at a volume which averages $670,000/month, that Pitney Bowes will provide through its Power Purchase program. The cost is comprised of postage that is used for mass mailings at approximately $600,000/month plus approximately $70,000/month for postage utilized by local or regional offices. Due to the potential for volume fluctuations, the estimated projection will be $700,000/month to avoid the need for a future amendment and to ensure uninterrupted service. |
| ValueIs: Estimated |
| ValueofInitialTerm: 8400000.00000000 |
| P-Ayes: |
| P-Ano: |
| P-AValue: |
| ThisIsA: New Sole Economically Feasible Source |
| One-Time: |
| Term: |
| BeginDate: 07/01/2026 |
| EndDate: 06/30/2027 |
| NumberofRenewals: |
| RenewalLength: |
| RenewalValue: |
| ExceedingYes: |
| ExceedingNo: |
| TextField3: |
| StateFunds: 1 |
| FederalFunds: 1 |
| FundingOther: 0 |
| TextField4: Pitney Bowes Sole Source for Postage |
| DropDownList1: Compatibility of Equipment, Accessories, Replacement Parts or Service |
| DropDownList1: Potential loss of Federal Funds if required mailed service is not provided |
| DropDownList1: Sole Source |
| DropDownList1: RFP |
| DropDownList1: Amendment |
| DropDownList1: Sole Source |
| DropDownList1: Sole Source |
| DropDownList1: Sole Source |
| DropDownList1: RFP |
| DropDownList1: Sole Source |
| DropDownList1: Sole Source |
| DropDownList1: RFP |
| Justify: |
| PastYes: |
| PastNo: |
| DateTimeField20: 07/01/2025 |
| DateTimeField19: 06/30/2026 |
| NumericField8: 8400000.00000000 |
| TextField5: 2026-11-002 |
| DateTimeField18: 07/01/2025 |
| DateTimeField17: 06/30/2028 |
| NumericField9: 223120.44000000 |
| TextField10: Pitney Bowes Mail Machines NASPO Order Against Master |
| TextField11: 2026-11-001 |
| DateTimeField16: 04/01/2025 |
| DateTimeField15: 06/30/2025 |
| NumericField10: 1800000.00000000 |
| TextField16: Pitney Bowes Amendment for Postage |
| TextField17: 2025-11-001-02 |
| DateTimeField14: 07/01/2024 |
| DateTimeField13: 06/30/2025 |
| NumericField11: 6000000.00000000 |
| TextField22: Pitney Bowes Sole Source for Postage |
| TextField23: 2025-11-001 |
| DateTimeField12: 07/01/2023 |
| DateTimeField11: 06/30/2024 |
| NumericField12: 6000000.00000000 |
| TextField28: Pitney Bowes Sole Source for Postage |
| TextField29: 2024-11-001 |
| DateTimeField10: 07/01/2022 |
| DateTimeField9: 06/30/2023 |
| NumericField13: 6000000.00000000 |
| TextField34: Pitney Bowes Sole Source for Postage |
| TextField35: 2023-11-001 |
| DateTimeField8: 07/01/2022 |
| DateTimeField7: 06/30/2025 |
| NumericField14: 211031.64000000 |
| TextField40: Pitney Bowes Mail Machines NASPO Order Against Master |
| TextField41: 2023-11-002 |
| DateTimeField6: 07/01/2021 |
| DateTimeField5: 06/30/2022 |
| NumericField15: 6000000.00000000 |
| TextField46: Pitney Bowes Sole Source for Postage |
| TextField47: 2022-11-002 |
| DateTimeField4: 07/01/2020 |
| DateTimeField4: 2026-04-24 |
| DateTimeField4: 2026-04-24 |
| DateTimeField3: 06/30/2021 |
| NumericField16: 6000000.00000000 |
| TextField52: Pitney Bowes Sole Source for Postage |
| TextField53: 2021-11-001 |
| DateTimeField2: 07/01/2019 |
| DateTimeField1: 06/30/2022 |
| NumericField17: 196505.28000000 |
| TextField58: Pitney Bowes Mail Machines NASPO Order Against Master |
| TextField59: 2020-11-004 |
| IfMoreThan10: |
| Q1Answer: HFS requires meters that are automated to ensure that mail is processed quickly. HFS requires invoicing for postage once the exact amount due is determined. The postage meters must be compliant with all USPS requirements to ensure that HFS does not apply more postage than necessary. HFS sends numerous pieces of mail annually. Most of the mail HFS processes is time-sensitive, and failure to meet time constraints will result in the loss of Federal funding and expose the State to potential lawsuits for failure to provide services as directed. The majority of the mail processed contains client information, much of which is mandated by both State and Federal statutes. In order to meet the demand, postage meters are used for the application of postage. The postage for each piece of mail varies, and is determined after the mailing is sorted. Various factors affect the price of postage including size, pre-sort service, volume and the number of pieces addressed to individual zip codes. |
Through the Intergovernmental Agreement, DHS is the primary source of mailings for HFS. As part of the Intergovernmental Agreement, DHS applies postage and HFS is billed monthly for the actual postage costs. HFS is responsible for paying the monthly postage billed by DHS directly to Pitney Bowes. Because DHS is unable to project the cost in any given month, the postage is billed in arrears once the final determination of cost is made with no additional rates, fees or interest charges.
The mailings are extremely time-sensitive, and failure to meet time constraints will result in the loss of Federal funding and expose the State to potential lawsuits for failure to provide services as directed. If this purchase is not approved, mail services may cease and cause undue harm to the citizens of Illinois.
| Q2Answer: The majority of the mail processed contains client information, much of which is mandated by both State and Federal statues. HFS owns or leases meters from Pitney Bowes, and Pitney Bowes will only download postage onto Pitney Bowes meters due to proprietary issues. In addition to the postage utilized through the Intergovernmental Agreement, Pitney Bowes virtually loads postage onto the mail meter machines located in HFS offices and invoices HFS in arrears for the actual postage at cost with no additional rates, fees or interest charges. |
| Q3Answer: Through participation in the Pitney Bowes Power Purchase program, Pitney Bowes bills the Agency for the exact amount of postage used for the month. Due to the variable nature of the pricing structure created by the USPS, the quantity of mail pieces and the fluctuating daily postage required, HFS must purchase monthly postage from a vendor able to bill in arrears and with equipment compatible with the meters owned or leased by HFS. The Pitney Bowes meters are compatible with HFS owned or leased equipment. The meters in large scale mailing operations are made by or leased from Pitney Bowes, and Pitney Bowes will only download onto Pitney Bowes meters at the rate determined by USPS. Pitney Bowes invoices the Agency for postage at cost with no additional rates, fees or interest charges. By way of an Intergovernmental Agreement, DHS is the primary source for mailings, and sends a monthly invoice to HFS for the Agency's postage used. |
| Q4Answer: Pitney Bowes meters are compatible with the equipment currently used in the HFS mail rooms and Pitney Bowes will only load postage onto a Pitney Bowes meter. Pitney Bowes is the only company which offers the postage draw balance, automatic postage load and billing in arrears for postage in an amount sufficient to meet HFS needs. |
| altYes: |
| altNo: |
| Q5aAnswer: The "one touch" mail processing is enabled by integrated and high speed meter info equipment which incorporates an inserter. Pitney Bowes is the only manufacturer of an USPS approved high speed meter which can be integrated in such fashion, the Infinity Meter. |
Pitney Bowes invoices for only the postage cost.
| Q5aAnswer: Pitney Bowes is the only company that can download postage onto Pitney Bowes meters. |
| Q5bAnswer: A Request for Quotes was posted in BidBuy with the qualified vendors under the NASPO Value Point Master Agreement. Pitney Bowes and NeoPost (Quadient) were the two vendors that responded. Although the bid received from NeoPost (Quadient) was lower than Pitney Bowes by approximately $10,000.00 per year, a contract with NeoPost (Quadient) would have required HFS to procure a third party financing contract, and incur interest payments for the third party financing. Furthermore, a contract with NeoPost (Quadient) would have required a 30-day time period to deploy the new postage meters. Although the cost was higher, the bid from Pitney Bowes offered the best value, a seamless transition, a one-week deployment of the new postage meters, and 0% up front financing for the cost of the postage used. |
| Q5cAnswer: The current one (1) year Sole Source (2022-11-002) for postage is effective from 07/01/2021 - 06/30/2022. OPM sought other alternatives within State Government, but there were no feasible alternatives that could be put in place in a timely manner that would provide a seamless transition without raising service costs and putting HFS at risk of losing Federal funding and exposing the State to potential lawsuits for failure to provide services as directed. |
| Q6Yes: |
| Q6No: |
| Q6NA: |
| Q7Answer: Pitney Bowes bills for only the postage used in the previous billing cycle. HFS does not incur any additional charges for the use of this service. Postage prices are set by the USPS. |
| Q8y: |
| Q8n: |
| Q8aAnswer: |
| Q9Answer: The mailings are extremely time-sensitive, and failure to meet time constraints will result in the loss of Federal funding and expose the State to potential lawsuits for failure to provide services as directed. If this purchase is not approved, mail services may cease and cause undue harm to the citizens of Illinois. |
| Q10Answer: No. |
| SignatureField1: |
| TextField63: Steve Dorchinecz |
| TextField63: steve.dorchinecz@illinois.gov |
| TextField63: Monique.N.Wantland@illinois.gov |
| TextField63: Monique Wantland |
| TextField64: 217-785-9507 |
| TextField65: 217-557-5777 |
| Approve: |
| denied: |
| Comments: |
| Phone: 217.993.1719 |
| Date: 2026-04-27 |
| PN: Jennifer Klein |
| Email: jennifer.klein@illinois.gov |
| InitialPostingDate: 2026-04-29 |
| HearingYes: |
| HearingNo: |
| HearingDate: |
| HearingTime: |
| HearingLocation: |
| No: 0 |
| Members: 0 |
| recommends: |
| WrittenComments: 0 |
| DecisionMemo: 0 |
| HearingMinutes: 0 |
| Other: 0 |
| OtherComments: |
| HearingOfficerSignature: |
| Authorize: |
| AuthorizeWChanges: |
| Cancel: |
| CPOComments: |
| CPOSignature: |
| CPOTelephone: |
| CPOPrintedName: |
| CPOEmail: |
File details come from the government source that posted it. Updated .