part I and part II ISAC B-40445.pdf

Sole Source Justification Form

Version 7.01 Page 1 of 5

Bulletin Reference Number R-193935, B-

Requesting Agency/University Illinois Student Assistance Commission

Sole Source Justification Form - Part I Section I - General Information

Department/Bureau/Section: College Access and Outreach

Need Identified Date: Sep 5, 2023 Supply/Service Need By Date: Jan 1, 2024

Project Title: Prepare for Illinois Future Program – Teaching Test Prep

Vendor: Pearson – Illinois Licensure Testing System/ILTS

Provide a description of the supplies or services required:

Online comprehensive test preparation and professional licensure preparation for the Illinois Licensure Testing Systems for teacher certification in the State of Illinois

Value: Estimated Value of Initial Term, this Change Order or Amendment: 675,000

Will this Sole Source amend a Professional or Artistic Services contract? Yes No

*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.

Type: New Sole Source

Section II - Proposed Term

One-Time Purchase Term Contract

Estimated Contract Begin Date: Jan 1, 2024

Estimated Contract End Date: Jun 30, 2024

Number of Potential Renewals: 0

Length of Each Renewal in Months:

Total Value of All Renewals:

If a Term Contract, does the term, including renewals, exceed 12 months? Yes No

Section III - Funding Source Select the type of funding to be used (Check all that apply): State Appropriate Funds Federal Funds Other (Explain):

Section IV - Sole Source Justification

This purchase is economically only available from a single source primarily because it is: (If "Other" explain in one sentence)

The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has contracted with and only allows Pearson to perform the teacher licensing testing, therefor

Are there secondary justification(s) for this sole source? Yes No

Section V - Purchase History

Has the Agency or University Purchased these supplies or services in the past? Yes No

Section VI - Business Rationale

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Bulletin Reference Number R-193935, B-

Requesting Agency/University Illinois Student Assistance Commission

1. Provide a detailed explanation of the need for the supplies or services:

An online test preparation, practice tests, and professional licensure preparation service is needed for the Illinois Licensure Testing Systems for teacher certification in the State of Illinois. The need for this service is to meet the state legislation mandate passed in spring of 2023, Prepare for Illinois' Future Program. This online test preparation service will offer students at Illinois public four-year (4-year) institutions of higher education free access to professional exam preparation courses and practice tests to prepare for exams to become a licensed teacher in Illinois. This will help address current racial and socioeconomic equity gaps that exist for many students who cannot afford the practice tests and enable them to access practice exams and get preparation resources to maximize their opportunity to become a licensed teacher in Illinois. To receive an Illinois Professional Educator License to teach in Illinois as required by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), students must meet the testing requirements prescribed by ISBE through the Illinois Licensure Testing Systems (ILTS).

2. Provide a list and describe in detail the specifications required to satisfy the need:

The specifications that are required to satisfy the need are Pearson to provide administrative interface, functionality, and workflow of the online teaching test preparation, practice tests, and professional licensure solution, including any limitations to managing and reviewing analytic insights of the number of tests and other online materials accessed by students, other data related to the solution provided, and related demographic data of students using teaching test preparation services. The service must also provide: a student interface, functionality, and workflow of the online teaching test preparation, practice tests, and professional licensure solution; data reporting at the student, institutional, and state levels on use of services, including but not limited to demographic data of students and utilization data of services; provide at the student, institutional, and state levels the support, including technical support (recognizing the unique needs of different constituent groups), design, technology, and security used in administering the test preparation, practices tests, and professional licensure solution.

In order to provide vouchers for students to take ILTS practice tests at no cost to them, Pearson will work directly with the Illinois public four-year (4-year) institutions to provide vouchers as requested by the institutions for their respective students. Pearson will track the number of vouchers issued and the number of vouchers redeemed. ISAC will be invoiced, on a schedule determined by ISAC and Pearson, only for the number of vouchers redeemed and used by students.

Pearson shall provide a description of the implementation process and timeline to implement the proposed solution once a contract is fully executed; as well as the following: provide a process to add on additional programs or make changes to the services as state and institutional needs change; provide the option to request a demonstration of the services requested; provide data reporting on a schedule determined by ISAC and an institution for its respective students using Pearson's systems, including reporting that provides real-time data on a student’s progress in using a test preparation service(s) (e.g., administrator’s dashboard); data reporting must include the number of students using any of the test preparation services and which services used, the frequency of any test preparation service used, and including student demographic data, such as institution, gender, race/ethnicity, and any other data at the aggregate level; and other data items part of the online test preparation and professional licensure solution that ISAC or an institution identifies.

Pearson shall provide information on additional online student support services, courses, and topics they can provide as part of their response in addition to the items noted above. If after the execution of the contract and before the end of the contract term, Pearson adds any additional online test preparation services that it offers to the general public, those same services will be made available under the contract with ISAC and public four year (4-year) universities without any additional charges through the end of the contract period.

Pearson shall provide any print and on-line documentation for students, institutions, and ISAC sufficient to allow full utilization of the proposed comprehensive online test preparation and professional licensure solution. Documentation will include, but is not limited to, overview descriptions of all major functions and detailed step-by-step instructions on how to access the online test preparation, practice tests, and professional licensure solution provided by Pearson.

To receive an Illinois Professional Educator License to teach in Illinois as required by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), students must meet the testing requirements prescribed by ISBE through the Illinois Licensure Testing Systems (ILTS). Please find an attached list of various content area tests that are part of the ILTS.

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Bulletin Reference Number R-193935, B-

Requesting Agency/University Illinois Student Assistance Commission

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?

As noted in the legislation, Prepare for Illinois' Future Program, it is important to provide at no cost to students who want to become teachers in Illinois with practice tests and preparation assistance for the Illinois Licensure Testing System. To be a teacher in Illinois, a person must complete testing through the Illinois Licensure Testing System which is administered exclusively on behalf of the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) by Pearson. As there is no other vendor permitted to provide the required testing system to be a licensed teacher in Illinois, using that vendor for the requested services of test preparation to support students is an efficient and effective means.

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:

To be a teacher in Illinois, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) requires a person to complete testing through the Illinois Licensure Testing System. There is no other testing system. ISBE has appointed Pearson with the unique designation as the only administrator of the ILTS and there for is uniquely positioned to provide test preparation and practice test resources for students want to become teachers in Illinois who will have to test through the ILTS.

5. Has the Agency or University considered alternative supplies or services to satisfy their need? Yes No

5a. If no, why weren't alternatives evaluated?

To be a teacher in Illinois, a person must complete testing through the Illinois Licensure Testing System (ILTS) which is administered exclusively on behalf of the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) by Pearson. There is no other provider in Illinois who provides this service.

6. Are there resellers or distributors?

Yes No N/A

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?

The agency has received pricing information from Pearson. The pricing will be based on a voucher system as stated in question #2. The vendor has offered discounted pricing (16.5% discount) per voucher, from $29.99 to $25.00. ISAC will only be invoiced for the number of vouchers redeemed by students rather than the number of vouchers issued to the institution by the vendor.

8. Will this purchase obligate the State to this vendor for future purchases such as maintenance, licensing or continuing need?

Yes No

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?

Illinois will not be able to deliver a legislatively mandated program to the students of illinois and will not address the inequity in accessibility to important test preparation services for Illinois students. The state will not be able to meet its legislative mandate to the people of the State of Illinois.

10. Is there any additional information you would like to add to justify this sole source?

n/a

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Bulletin Reference Number R-193935, B-

Requesting Agency/University Illinois Student Assistance Commission

Section VII

Requesting Department Representative

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.

Date 12/11/2023

Printed Name Sam Nelson E-mail Address sam.nelson@illinois.gov

Phone Number 847-846-3193

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)

E-mail Address Eric.Zarnikow@illinois.gov

Phone Number 847-831-8370 Date

Printed Name Eric Zarnikow

Agency Bureau/Division Head or University Purchasing Director and Not a Designee

SPO Approval and Signature Required

I have reviewed and understand the contents of this Sole Source Justification and agree with the State Agency or University determination.

I have reviewed and understand the contents of this Sole Source Justification and do not agree with the State Agency or University determination. As a result, the State Agency or University must explore other sourcing methods to satisfy their need.

State Purchasing Officer Signature Phone Number 217-299-5883 Date 12/11/2023

Printed Name Rebecca Gossett E-mail Address rebecca.gossett@illinois.gov

Version 7.01 Page 5 of 5

Bulletin Reference Number R-193935, B-

Requesting Agency/University Illinois Student Assistance Commission

Sole Source Justification Form - Part II Section I - General Information

Project Title Prepare for Illinois Future Program – Teaching Test Prep

Vendor Pearson – Illinois Licensure Testing System/ILTS

Initial Date of Procurement Bulletin Posting Dec 12, 2023

Was a Sole Source hearing held per 30 ILCS 500/20-25?

Yes - Complete Section II and III below (Section II will only be visible when this option is selected)

No - Section II not required, go to Section III below Section III - CPO Approval and Signature Required

Based on my review, I authorize the Agency/University to proceed in accordance with the published Notice referenced above.

Based upon my review, I authorize the Agency/University to proceed with the following Changes.

Based on my review, the Agency/University is not authorized to proceed with this sole source as presented and my recommendation is that it be cancelled.

Other

CPO Signature CPO Phone 217-558-2231

Printed Name Ellen H. Daley Date

CPO E-mail Ellen.H.Daley@illinois.gov

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 Ellen.H.Daley@illinois.gov

In order to provide vouchers for students to take ILTS practice tests at no cost to them, Pearson will work directly with the Illinois public four-year (4-year) institutions to provide vouchers as requested by the institutions for their respective students. Pearson will track the number of vouchers issued and the number of vouchers redeemed. ISAC will be invoiced, on a schedule determined by ISAC and Pearson, only for the number of vouchers redeemed and used by students.

Pearson shall provide a description of the implementation process and timeline to implement the proposed solution once a contract is fully executed; as well as the following: provide a process to add on additional programs or make changes to the services as state and institutional needs change; provide the option to request a demonstration of the services requested; provide data reporting on a schedule determined by ISAC and an institution for its respective students using Pearson's systems, including reporting that provides real-time data on a student’s progress in using a test preparation service(s) (e.g., administrator’s dashboard); data reporting must include the number of students using any of the test preparation services and which services used, the frequency of any test preparation service used, and including student demographic data, such as institution, gender, race/ethnicity, and any other data at the aggregate level; and other data items part of the online test preparation and professional licensure solution that ISAC or an institution identifies.

Pearson shall provide information on additional online student support services, courses, and topics they can provide as part of their response in addition to the items noted above. If after the execution of the contract and before the end of the contract term, Pearson adds any additional online test preparation services that it offers to the general public, those same services will be made available under the contract with ISAC and public four year (4-year) universities without any additional charges through the end of the contract period.

Pearson shall provide any print and on-line documentation for students, institutions, and ISAC sufficient to allow full utilization of the proposed comprehensive online test preparation and professional licensure solution. Documentation will include, but is not limited to, overview descriptions of all major functions and detailed step-by-step instructions on how to access the online test preparation, practice tests, and professional licensure solution provided by Pearson.

To receive an Illinois Professional Educator License to teach in Illinois as required by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), students must meet the testing requirements prescribed by ISBE through the Illinois Licensure Testing Systems (ILTS). Please find an attached list of various content area tests that are part of the ILTS.