Revised WIOA Tech Assistance P and A RFP Final 4-18-2025.docx

STATE OF ILLINOIS

POST-PERFORMANCE REVIEW

The IL Dept. of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (“Agency,” or “State”) requests proposals from responsible Offerors to meet its needs. A brief description is set forth below for the Offeror’s convenience, with detailed requirements in subsequent sections of this solicitation. If interested and able to meet these requirements, the State appreciates and welcomes an Offer.

Brief Description:

The Department is seeking the services of a Certified Public Accounting firm to provide technical assistance, financial controls and program development to the Department. These services will involve working with state agency partners and its Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) grantees. The state agency partners (core partners) that administer the WIOA include the Illinois Community College Board, the Illinois Department of Human Services, and the Illinois Department of Employment Security. The WIOA grantees are local governments and non-profit organizations. The services are to be provided on an as-needed basis. The Department does not guarantee that there will be an ongoing need for these services. The services to be provided include but are not limited to:

· Developing controls and procedures to adequately safeguard WIOA grant funds and ensure compliance with all federal and state regulations

· Providing programmatic and fiscal management and monitoring support to address problems at the state and local workforce levels

· Providing Technical Assistance to the Department, Agency Partners and Grantees

· Completing research projects, analyze data and document findings as directed

· Providing assistance in the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of fiscal and programmatic policies that are compliant with the WIOA regulations The resulting contract shall have an initial term of 5 years, starting on July 1, 2025 or last dated signature until June 30, 2030. In no event will the total term of the contract, including the initial term, any renewal terms, and any extensions exceed ten (10) years. 30 ILCS 500/20-60.

Please read the entire solicitation package and submit an Offer in accordance with the instructions. All forms and signature areas contained in the solicitation package must be completed in full and submitted along with the technical response and price proposal which combined will constitute the Offer. Do not submit the instruction pages with Offers.

Vendor Disclosure (formerly named Forms A) and IPG Active Registered Vendor Disclosure (formerly named Forms B) may be downloaded from the Chief Procurement Officer for General Service’s website at https://cpo-general.illinois.gov/solicitation-and-contract-templates.html. Business Enterprise Program/Veterans Small Business Program Utilization Plan may be downloaded from the Commission on Equity and Inclusion’s website at https://cei.illinois.gov/business-enterprise-program/compliance.html. These sections are a material part of this solicitation, and must be returned when applicable with a Offeror’s Offer.

Offers that do not adhere to the form and content of the Request for Proposal requirements may not be considered.

PROFESSIONAL AND ARTISTIC REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity

26-420DCEO-STRTC-B-45731

In compliance with the State and Federal Constitutions, the Illinois Human Rights Act, the U.S. Civil Rights Act, and Section 504 of the Federal Rehabilitation Act, the State of Illinois does not discriminate in employment, contracts, or any other activity.

The State of Illinois encourages prospective vendors to consider hiring qualified veterans and Illinois residents discharged from any Illinois adult correctional center, in appropriate circumstances.

State of Illinois P & A RFP 1 Introduction V.24.1

SECTION 1.

SECTION 2

Pricing E.

SECTION 3.

The following sections (Vendor Disclosure (formerly named Forms A), and IPG Active Registered Vendor Disclosure (formerly named Forms B) of the solicitation may be found on the CPO’s website at:

https://cpo-general.illinois.gov/solicitation-and-contract-templates.html Vendor Disclosure (formerly named FORMS A ) Complete this section if you are not using a State of Illinois Vendor Registration Number which represents registration in the Illinois Procurement Gateway (IPG).

IPG Active Registered Vendor Disclosure (formerly named FORMS B) Complete this section only if you are using an active State of Illinois Vendor Registration Number.

To ensure that you are registered in the IPG, search for your business name in the IPG Registered Vendor Directory. If your company does not appear in the search results, then you are not registered in the IPG.

Download from the CEI’s website and complete these documents if this RFP contains a Business Enterprise Program (BEP) goal.

BEP Utilization Plan

Download from theCEI’s website and complete these documents if this RFP contains a Veteran Small Business Program (VBP) goal.

Veteran Small Business Utilization Plan

OUTLINE

State of Illinois P & A RFP 4

OUTLINE

V.24.1

SECTION 1.

A. INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUBMITTING OFFERS

Only Electronic Submissions through BidBuy of Bids and Offers will be Accepted

Pursuant to CPO Notice 2020.06, State agencies shall only accept electronic submissions for competitive solicitations (Invitation for Bid (IFB) and Request for Proposal (RFP)) through BidBuy. Manual submissions in paper format or on electronic medium, for example USB drives or digital video discs (DVD), shall not be accepted nor considered.

These instructions and information regarding electronic submission supersedes any instructions and information in this document that may be contradictory. Bidders and Offerors are required to submit their response to the State’s solicitation through BidBuy. Any information sent to the State outside of BidBuy, for example by US Mail, FedEx, UPS, e-mail, or hand delivery, will neither be accepted nor considered. Vendor submissions will only be considered if they are received through BidBuy and on or before the time and date indicated in the Bid Opening section within the solicitation. Any required attachments must be submitted via BidBuy.

Price entries on the items tab will be locked automatically upon submission of the offer. If the agency requires pricing to be submitted in an attachment, Vendor shall upload pricing under the “Required Documents” section on the attachments tab and check the box “Does the Attachment contain any pricing, cost or discount information?”. Failure to check this box allows your pricing to be viewed when bids are opened and may result in disqualification of your offer.

Documents shall be submitted in an electronic format that can be accessed and read using Microsoft Office or Adobe Reader. Corrupted files shall not be considered. It is the responsibility of the vendor to ensure that files are accessible and legible after uploading.

The vendor is solely responsible for ensuring timely submission of their electronic solicitation response. Failure to allow adequate time prior to the solicitation end date to complete and submit a response to a solicitation, particularly in the event technical support assistance from the State is required, places the vendor and their bid, offer or response at risk of not being accepted.

It is recommended that you access your BidBuy account prior to the solicitation due date and time to make sure that your company’s information is up-to-date and your password is current. Files may be uploaded at any time prior to submission.

File size may impact the uploading and downloading speed and may lead to browser time-outs resulting in failed upload/download attempts. Please consider this dependency when attaching very large documents.

The State encourages vendors to make sure that their BidBuy account is up-to-date.

A.1. PROCESS CHANGES RESULTING FROM BIDBUY: BidBuy is the new electronic procurement system being used by State agencies under the jurisdiction of the Chief Procurement Officer for General Services. With the implementation of BidBuy, some procurement processes have changed. In some instances, BidBuy entirely replaces the State’s previous procurement processes. In others, the past instruction or process remains unchanged or is augmented by BidBuy.

The State publishes Requests for Proposals (RFP) in BidBuy. BidBuy consists of public webpages that may be referred to as the “Bulletin” or information “on BidBuy”. BidBuy also permits vendors to create password protected Seller Accounts allowing electronic quoting for some procurement methods. The RFP, along with other attachments and information on BidBuy, constitutes the State’s solicitation. The State does not accept electronic offers in response to RFPs through BidBuy. Offerors must continue to submit offers in paper format and in accord with the instructions for submission. Offerors must pay special attention to the instructions found on BidBuy as they augment the information in this RFP. Offerors shall read the entire contents of this RFP and direct any questions to the Information Contact found on the BidBuy posting.

A.2. CONFLICT BETWEEN INFORMATION IN PAPER FORMAT AND ON BIDBUY: If the State provides information in paper format (i.e. the RFP and other attachments) that is different or in conflict with the information the State provides on BidBuy, then the information in paper format is presumed to represent the State’s intent. If the Offeror provides information in paper format that is different or in conflict with the information the Offeror provides in BidBuy through their Seller Account, then the information in paper format shall represent the Offeror’s intended submission.

A.3. HOW TO ENTER INFORMATION: Type information in the red text form fields provided. If the information requested does not apply to the Offeror’s situation, then enter “N/A” into the text form field. Please enter the requested information or N/A into every text form field.

A.4. PUBLISHED PROCUREMENT INFORMATION: The State publishes procurement information, including solicitations, awards, and amendments, on the General Services Illinois Procurement Bulletin, referred to as the Bulletin or BidBuy (https://www.bidbuy.illinois.gov/bso/). Procurement information may not be available in any other form or location. Offeror is responsible for monitoring the Bulletin. The State will not be held responsible if Offeror fails to receive the optional e-mail notice of future amendments to the solicitation.

A.5. INFORMATION CONTACT: The individual listed in the “Info Contact:” on the Bulletin posting shall be the single point of contact for this solicitation. Unless otherwise directed, Offerors should only communicate with the Information Contact. The State/Agency shall not be held responsible for information provided by or to any other person.

Suspected errors should be immediately reported to the Information Contact. Do not discuss, directly or indirectly, the solicitation or any Offer with any State officer or employee other than the Information Contact.

A.6. OFFEROR QUESTIONS AND AGENCY RESPONSE: All questions, other than questions raised at the Pre-Submission Conference, pertaining to this solicitation must be submitted in writing to the Information Contact no later than April 7, 2025. Questions received and Agency responses may be posted as an Amendment to the original solicitation on the Bulletin; only these posted answers to questions shall be binding on the State. Offerors are responsible for monitoring the Bulletin.

A.7. PRE-SUBMISSION CONFERENCE

In the Bulletin posting, the Agency may schedule a Pre-Submission Conference as the “Pre-Bid Conference:”.

Is Attendance at the Pre-Submission Conference mandatory? |_| Yes |X| No If attendance is mandatory, Offeror (current Vendor included) will be disqualified and considered non-responsive if Offeror does not attend, is not on time, leaves early or fails to sign the attendance sheet. Offeror must allow adequate time to accommodate security screenings at the site.

A.8. OFFER DUE DATE, TIME, AND ADDRESS FOR SUBMISSION OF OFFERS: Each solicitation contains the Offer Due Date and Time appearing as the “Bid Opening Date:” on the Bulletin posting. Offers will be opened at the Submit/Deliver Offers To address provided below on the “Bid Opening Date:”

A.8.1. Offer Firm Time: The Offer must remain firm for 180 days from opening.

A.9. SUBMISSION OF OFFERS: Only accepted through BidBuy A.10. SECURITY: Performance Bond: $N/A If a performance bond is required, Offeror must submit the Performance Bond to the Information Contact within ten (10) days after award. The bond must be from a surety licensed to do business in Illinois. An irrevocable letter of credit is an acceptable substitute. The form of security must be acceptable to the State.

A.11. SMALL BUSINESS SET-ASIDE: In the Bulletin posting, if “Yes” is shown to the question “Is this subject to Small Business Set-Aside?”, then Offeror must be qualified by the Small Business Set-Aside Program at the time Offers are due in order for the Offer to be evaluated. For complete requirements and to qualify Offeror’s business in the Small Business Set-Aside Program, please visit the CPO’s website at https://cpo-general.illinois.gov/sell-2-illinois.html .

A.12. MINORITY CONTRACTOR INITIATIVE: The State requires a fee of $15 to cover expenses related to the administration of the Minority Contractor Opportunity Initiative. Any offeror awarded a contract of $1,000 or more under Section 20-10, 20-15, 20-25 or 20-30 of the Illinois Procurement Code (30 ILCS 500) is required to pay a fee of $15. The Comptroller shall deduct the fee from the first check issued to the Vendor under the contract and deposit the fee in the Comptroller’s Administrative Fund. 15 ILCS 405/23.9.

A.13. PROCUREMENT OF DOMESTIC PRODUCTS: It is the policy of the State of Illinois to use State procurements to maximize the use of goods, products, and materials produced in Illinois. 30 ILCS 517. If this procurement is for a product alone and does not include a service, then preference shall be given to a product manufactured in the United States.

A vendor must affirmatively declare at the time they submit their bid or offer that the product being proposed to the State is manufactured in the United States. The purchasing agency may request documentation verifying the product’s manufacturing origin. The purchasing agency shall purchase the product manufactured in the United States unless the agency determines that any of the following applies: (1) the procured product is not manufactured in the United States in reasonably available quantities, or (2) the price of the procured product manufactured in the United States exceeds the price of available and comparable procured products manufactured outside of the United States by 12% or more, or (3) the quality of the procured product manufactured in the United States is substantially less than the quality of the comparably priced, available, and comparable procured products manufactured outside of the United States, or (4) the purchase of the procured products manufactured outside of the United States better serves the public interest by helping to protect or save life, property, or the environment, or (5) the purchase of the procured product is made in conjunction with contracts or offerings of telecommunications, fire suppression, security systems, communications services, Internet services, or information services, or (6) the purchase is of pharmaceutical products, drugs, biologics, vaccines, medical devices used to provide medical and health care or treat disease or used in medical or research diagnostic tests, and medical nutritionals regulated by the Food and Drug Administration under the federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.

A.14. FEDERAL FUNDS: The resulting contract may be partially or totally funded with Federal funds. Upon notice of intent to award, the percentage of goods and/or services involved that are Federally funded and the dollar amount of such Federal funds will be disclosed.

A.15. EMPLOYMENT TAX CREDIT: Offerors who hire qualified veterans and certain ex-offenders may be eligible for tax credits. 30 ILCS 500/45-67 and 45-70. Please contact the Illinois Department of Revenue (217-524-4772) for information about tax credits.

A.16. GOVERNING LAW AND FORUM: Illinois law and rules govern this solicitation and any resulting contract. Offeror must bring any action relating to this solicitation or any resulting contract in the appropriate court in Illinois. This document contains statutory references designated with “ILCS”. Offeror may view the full text at www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs.asp. The Illinois Procurement Code (30 ILCS 500) and the Standard Procurement Rules (44 ILL. ADM. CODE PARTS 1) are applicable to this solicitation and may be respectively viewed at http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs5.asp?ActID=532&ChapterID=7 and http://www.ilga.gov/commission/jcar/admincode/044/044parts.html.

A.17. PUBLIC RECORDS AND REQUESTS FOR CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT: Offers become the property of the State and late submissions will not be returned. All offers will be open to the public under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 ILCS 140) and other applicable laws and rules, unless Offeror requests in its Offer that the State treat certain information as confidential. A request for confidential treatment will not supersede the State’s legal obligations under FOIA. The State will not honor requests to keep entire Offers confidential. Offerors must show the specific grounds in FOIA or other law or rule that support confidential treatment. Regardless, the State will disclose the successful Offeror’s name, the substance of the Offer, and the price.

If Offeror requests confidential treatment, Offeror must submit additional copy/copies (see Instructions for Submission of Offers in Section A.10.) of the Offer with proposed confidential information redacted. This redacted copy must tell the general nature of the material removed, and shall retain as much of the Offer as possible. In a separate attachment, Offeror shall supply a listing of the provisions identified by section number for which it seeks confidential treatment and identify the statutory basis or bases under Illinois law, including a detailed justification for exempting the information from public disclosure.

Offeror will hold harmless and indemnify the State for all costs or damages associated with the State defending Offeror’s request for confidential treatment. Offeror agrees that the State may copy the Offer to facilitate evaluation, or to respond to requests for public records. Offeror warrants that such copying will not violate the rights of any third party.

A.18. RESERVATIONS: Offeror must read and understand the solicitation and tailor the Offer and all activities to ensure compliance. The State reserves the right to amend the solicitation, reject any or all offers, award by item/services, group of items/services, or grand total, and waive minor defects. The State may request a clarification, inspect Offeror’s premises, interview staff, request a presentation, or otherwise verify the contents of the Offer, including information about subcontractors and suppliers. The State may request Best & Final Offers when appropriate. The State will make all decisions on compliance, evaluation, and terms and conditions, and shall make decisions in the best interests of the State and in accordance with the Illinois Procurement Code, rules and other applicable State and Federal statutes and regulations. This competitive process may require that Offeror provide additional information and otherwise cooperate with the State. If an offeror does not comply with requests for information and cooperate, the State may reject the offer as non-responsive to the solicitation. Submitting an offer does not entitle Offeror to an award or a contract. Posting a vendor’s name in a Bulletin notice does not entitle the vendor to a contract. The State is not responsible for and will not pay any costs associated with the preparation and submission of any offer. Awarded vendor(s) shall not commence, and will not be paid for any billable work undertaken prior to the date all parties execute the contract, unless approved in writing in advance by the State Purchasing Officer or the Chief Procurement Officer (or designee).

A.19. AWARD: The State is not obligated to award a contract pursuant to this solicitation. If the State issues an award, the award will be made to the responsive and responsible offeror whose offer best meets the specified criteria unless otherwise permitted by the Illinois Procurement Code and Illinois Administrative Code. However, if the State does not consider the price to be fair and reasonable and negotiations fail to meet an acceptable price, then the State reserves the right to cancel the award and take appropriate action to meet the needs of the State. The State will determine whether the price is fair and reasonable by considering the offer, including the offeror's qualifications, the offeror's reputation, all prices submitted, other known prices, the project budget and other relevant factors. The State will post a notice to the Bulletin identifying the apparent most responsive and responsible offeror.

A.20. REFERENCES: |_| Yes |X| No. If “Yes” is marked, Offeror must provide references from established private firms or government agencies other than the procuring Agency, who can attest to Offeror’s experience and ability to perform the contract that is the subject of this solicitation. Offeror must provide the name, contact information and a description of the supplies or services provided using the References form found in Section 3, Part J.

A.21. INVOICING ADDRESS: The awarded Vendor shall invoice at the completion of the contract unless invoicing is tied in the contract to milestones, deliverables, or other invoicing requirements agreed to in the contract. The Bulletin posting contains the “Bill-to Address:” where invoices should be sent.

Vendor shall not bill for any taxes unless accompanied by proof that the State is subject to the tax. If necessary, Vendor may request the applicable Agency’s Illinois tax exemption number and Federal tax exemption information.

A.22. PROTEST REVIEW OFFICE: Offeror may submit a written protest to the Protest Review Office following the requirements of the Standard Procurement Rules. 44 ILL. ADM. CODE 1.5550. For protests related to specifications, the Protest Review Office must physically receive the protest no later than fourteen (14) days after the solicitation or related addendum was posted to the Bulletin. For protests related to rejection of individual proposals or awards, the protest must be received by close of business no later than fourteen (14) days after the protesting party knows or should have known of the facts giving rise to the protest. The Protest Review Office’s information is as follows:

Chief Procurement Office for General Services Email: CPOGS.PRO@illinois.gov Attn: Protest Review Office 300 W. Jefferson St, Suite 128 Springfield, IL 62702 A.23. EVALUATION PROCESS: The State determines how well offers meet the Responsiveness requirements. The State will rank offers, without consideration of price, from best to least qualified using a point ranking system (unless otherwise specified) as an aid in conducting the evaluation. Offerors who fail to meet minimum requirements or who receive fewer than the minimum required points, if any, will not be considered for price evaluation and award.

The State evaluates three categories of information: Responsibility, Responsiveness, and Price. The State considers the information provided and the quality of that information when evaluating offers. If the State finds a failure or deficiency, the State may reject the offer or reflect the failure or deficiency in the evaluation.

A.23.1. RESPONSIVENESS: A Responsive Offeror is one who submits an offer that conforms in all material respects to the Request for Proposal, and includes all required forms.

A.23.1.1. Subcontractor Disclosure: If the Offer includes any subcontractors, then Offeror shall complete the Subcontractor Disclosure form found in Section 3, Part I.

A.23.1.2. References: If references are required, then Offeror shall complete and return the References form in Section 3, Part J.

A.23.1.3. If completing IPG Active Registered Vendor Disclosure (formerly named Forms B), then responsiveness may include and may not be limited to:

· Active Illinois Procurement Gateway registration # with expiration date

· Disclosure of lobbyists for Offeror and parent entity(ies)

· Disclosure of pending and current contracts

· Certifications timely to this solicitation A.23.1.4. If completing Vendor Disclosure (formerly named Forms A), required forms may include and may not be limited to:

· Business and Directory Information: Offeror should complete and return the Business and Directory Information form in Vendor Disclosure, Part 1.

· Illinois Department of Human Rights Public Contracts Number: Offeror shall complete and return the IDHR Public Contracts Number form in Vendor Disclosure, Part 2.

· Authorized to Transact Business or Conduct Affairs in Illinois: A person (other than an individual acting as a sole proprietor) must be a duly constituted legal entity prior to submitting a bid and authorized to transact business or conduct affairs in Illinois prior to execution of the contract. For more information, see Authorized to Transact Business or Conduct Affairs in Illinois in Vendor Disclosure, Part 3.

· Standard Illinois Certifications: Offeror shall complete and return the Standard Illinois Certifications form in Vendor Disclosure, Part 4.

· State Board of Elections Registration: Offeror may be prohibited from making political contributions and be required to register with the State Board of Elections. For more information, see State Board of Elections in Vendor Disclosure, Part 5.

· Disclosure of Business Operations with Iran: Offeror should complete and return the Disclosure of Business Operations with Iran form in Vendor Disclosure, Part 6.

· Financial Disclosures and Conflicts of Interest: Offeror shall complete and return the Financial Disclosures and Conflicts of Interest form in Vendor Disclosure, Part 7.

· Taxpayer Identification Number: Offeror should complete and return the Taxpayer Identification form in Vendor Disclosure, Part 8.

A.23.1.5. The State will determine whether the Offer meets the stated requirements. Minor differences or deviations that have negligible impact on the price or suitability of the supply or service to meet the State’s needs may be accepted or corrections allowed. If no offeror meets a particular requirement, the State may waive that requirement.

A.23.1.6. When the specification calls for “Brand Name or Equal,” the brand name product is acceptable. Other products will be considered with proof that the other product meets stated specifications and is equivalent to the brand product in terms of quality, performance and desired characteristics.

A.23.1.7. The State will determine whether the Offer complied with the instructions for submitting offers. Except for late submissions, and other requirements that by law must be part of the submission, the State may require that an offeror correct deficiencies as a condition of further evaluation.

A.23.2. RESPONSIBILITY: A responsible Offeror is one who has the capability in all respects to perform fully the contract requirements and who has the integrity and reliability that will assure good faith performance. The State determines whether the Offeror is a “responsible” offeror; an offeror with whom the State can or should do business. For example, the State may consider the following:

A.23.2.1. A “prohibited bidder” includes any person assisting an employee of the State of Illinois by reviewing, drafting, directing, or preparing any invitation for bids, a request for proposal, or request of information, or providing similar assistance unless such assistance was part of a publically issued opportunity to review drafts of all or part of these documents. For purposes of this section, an employee of the State of Illinois means one who, by the nature of his or her duties, has the authority to participate personally and substantially in the decision to award a State contract. No person or business shall submit specifications to a State agency unless requested to do so by an employee of the State. No person or business that contracts with a State agency to write specifications for a particular procurement need shall submit a bid or proposal or receive a contract for that procurement need.

Nothing herein is intended to prohibit a vendor from bidding or offering to supply developing technology, goods or services after providing the State with a demonstration of the developing technology, goods, or services; provided the subject of the demonstration to the State represents industry trends and innovation and is not specifically designed to meet the State's needs. Nothing herein is intended to prohibit a person or business from submitting a bid or offer or entering into a contract if the person or business: (i) initiates a communication with an employee to provide general information about products, services, or industry best practices and, if applicable, that communication is documented in accordance with Section 50-39 of the Illinois Procurement Code or (ii) responds to a communication initiated by an employee of the State for the purposes of providing information to evaluate new products, trends, services, or technologies.

A.23.2.2. Other factors that the State may evaluate to determine responsibility include, but are not limited to: political contributions, certifications, conflict of interest, financial disclosures, taxpayer identification number, past performance in business or industry, references (including those found outside the offer), compliance with applicable laws, financial responsibility, insurability, effective equal opportunity compliance, payment of prevailing wages if required by law, capacity to produce or sources of supply, and the ability to provide required maintenance service or other matters relating to the offeror’s ability to deliver in the quality and quantity within the time and price as specified in this solicitation.

A.23.2.3. Awarded offerors must at all times have financial resources sufficient, in the opinion of the State, to ensure performance of the contract and must provide proof upon request. The State may require a performance bond if, in the opinion of the State, it ensures performance of the contract. The State may terminate the contract, consistent with the termination for cause provision of the contract, if the vendor lacks the financial resources to perform under the contract.

A.23.2.4. The State may require that an offeror correct any deficiencies as a condition of further evaluation.

A.23.3. PRICE: The State identifies the lowest priced offer that meets the responsibility and responsiveness requirements.

A.24. BUSINESS ENTERPRISE FOR MINORITIES, WOMEN, AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES ACT PARTICIPATION AND UTILIZATION PLAN: The Bulletin posting indicates whether this solicitation contains a goal to include businesses owned and controlled by minorities, women, and persons with disabilities. If this solicitation is for non-construction supplies or services and contains a goal, then failure to submit a Utilization Plan shall render the Offer non-responsive. 30 ILCS 575/4(f). All questions regarding the subcontracting goal must be directed to the Agency Business Enterprise Program (BEP) Liaison prior to submission of proposals.

Businesses included in Utilization Plans as meeting BEP requirements as prime vendors or subcontractors must be certified as BEP vendors prior to the Bid Opening Date. Go to https://cei.illinois.gov/ for complete requirements for BEP certification. Go to https://ceibep.diversitysoftware.com/ to search for certified BEP vendors.

A.25. VETERAN SMALL BUSINESS PARTICIPATION AND UTILIZATION PLAN: The Bulletin posting indicates whether this solicitation contains a goal to include businesses owned and controlled by military veterans. If this solicitation contains a goal, then failure to submit a Utilization Plan as instructed later in this solicitation may render the Offer non-responsive. All questions regarding the subcontracting goal must be directed to the Agency Veteran Small Business Liaison prior to submission of proposals.

Businesses included in Utilization Plans as meeting Veteran Owned Small Business (VOSB) and Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) requirements as prime vendors or subcontractors must be certified as VOSB or SDVOSB vendors prior to the Bid opening date. Go to https://cei.illinois.gov/veterans-business-program.html for complete requirements for VOSB or SDVOSB certification. Go to https://cms.diversitycompliance.com/ to search for certified VOSB and SDVOSB vendors.

A.26. BIDBUY TERMINOLOGY AND GUIDANCE: BidBuy is an online e-procurement system. There may be some difference between the procurement terminology used in this solicitation and the terms used in BidBuy. Please learn more about BidBuy by accessing the online resources found here:

https://www2.illinois.gov/cpo/PathwayToProcurement/Pages/Guides-and-Manuals.aspx.

-END OF INSTRUCTIONS-

STATE OF ILLINOIS

SUBCONTRACTOR DISCLOSURES

ATTACHMENT FF

INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUBMITTING OFFERS

State of Illinois RFP 30 Attachment FF– Subcontractor Disclosures V.13.3 State of Illinois P & A RFP 16 Section 1. Part A.Instructions V.24.1

B. SELECTION OF VENDOR

B.1. This solicitation is for “professional and artistic services.” Professional and artistic services means those services provided under contract to the State by a person or a business, acting as an independent contractor, qualified by education, experience, and technical ability. All mandatory requirements must be met to be considered for award. 30 ILCS 500/1-15.60.

B.2. The State may award to the most responsive and responsible Offeror whose Offer best meets the below criteria. All Mandatory requirement must be met to be considered for award.

B.3. The State determines how well Offers meet the responsiveness requirements. The State ranks Offers, without consideration of price, from best to least qualified using a point ranking system (unless otherwise specified) as an aid in conducting the evaluation. Offerors who receive fewer than the minimum required points will not be considered for price evaluation and award.

B.4. If the State does not consider the price to be fair and reasonable and negotiations fail to meet an acceptable price, the State reserves the right to cancel the award and take appropriate action to meet the needs of the State. The State determines whether the price is fair and reasonable by considering the Offer, including the Offeror's qualifications, the Offeror's reputation, all prices submitted, other known prices, the project budget, and other relevant factors.

B.5. The chart below shows the elements of responsiveness that the State evaluates, their relative weights in point format and any minimum point requirements.

B.5.1. The total number of points for technical and commitment to diversity is 1,200.

B.5.2. RESPONSIVENESS ELEMENTS

B.5.2.1. Mandatory Requirements

RFP Section

Mandatory Requirements In order for the Offer to be considered, the Offer must identify in the Offer that all Mandatory Requirements are met. Failure to submit responses to all mandatory requirements identified below will deem the Offer non-responsive.

Mandatory Met/Not Met

Vendor’s Proposal Page Ref

|_|Not Met Section Page(s)

|_|Not Met Section Page(s)

(see: https://apps.illinoisworknet.com/WIOAPolicy/Policy/Home).

|_|Met |_|Not Met Section Page(s)

|_|Not Met Section Page(s)

D.2.1.2.3 D.2.3.2

|_|Not Met

B.5.2.2 Desirable Evaluation Criteria (Technical) 1,000 Points *Please indicate in your proposal, utilizing the table below, the section and page number where the requested information is located.

RFP Section

Workforce Investment Opportunity Act Expertise Total Points - 300

MaximumPoints Vendor's Proposal Page Ref.

D.2 Vendor should demonstrate how they have applied their knowledge of Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (Pub. L. 113-128) and regulations in the area of compliance with the applicable provisions of the Act and the WIOA regulations (20 CFR Parts 603, 651, 652, 653, 654, 658, 675, 676, 677, 678, 679, 680, 681, 682, 683, 684, 685, 686, 687, and 688)

Section Page(s)

D.2.1.2.3 D.2.3.2

RFP Section

Agency & LWIA Fiscal Program Management Expertise Total Points - 400

Points Vendor's Proposal Page Ref.

Vendor should demonstrate experience in:

· providing financial accounting services

· Implementing controls and procedures to adequately safeguard WIOA grant funds and ensure compliance with WIOA (Pub.L.113-128) as well as the State of Illinois Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA), 30 ILCS 708/1 et seq.

Section Page(s)

D.4.3 Vendor should demonstrate ability to provide:

· Fiscal reporting on WIOA and other workforce development grants

· Analysis of grantee’s fiscal management policy and procedures

· Reconstruction of financial accounting systems and data.

D.2.2.1 Vendor should demonstrate experience in:

· providing management and consulting services in the public and private sector;

· developing recommendations for process improvement; and

· developing internal controls to ensure regulatory compliance.

D.2.1.3 Vendor should demonstrate ability to provide:

· programmatic monitoring support to address problems at the state and local workforce areas focused on: program design; the provision of case management, training and supportive services; performance management, reporting, evaluation

· fiscal management at the state and local workforce areas focused on the compliance with the reporting of program costs and compliance with the obligation and expenditures requirements outlined in the WIOA.

D.2.4.1 Vendor should demonstrate the ability to:

· Developing and presenting technical assistance trainings to state and local grantees associated with the WIOA programmatic requirements

D.2.3.1 Vendor should demonstrate the ability to:

· Assist the Department and/or Grantees in addressing issues associated with the reconfiguration and/or merger of local workforce areas including the reassignment of grantees and fiscal agent responsibilities.

D.2.3.2 Vendor should demonstrate the ability to:

· Assist with the implementation of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act requirements at the state and local levels including the development and implementation of applicable state policies as required by WIOA (Pub. L. 113-128).

RFP Section

Vendor & Staff Qualifications Total Points - 300

Points Vendor's Proposal Page Ref.

D.2.4.2

D.2.1.3.1

D.2.4.3

Vendor should demonstrate their ability to perform the requested services and fulfill any reporting requirements as reflected by assigned staff having the knowledge and experience of the programmatic and fiscal requirements of administering federally funding grants including the ability to perform support of the monthly fiscal reporting requirements in the Grant Reporting System (GRS) for reporting grant obligations, expenditures, and requesting cash.

· WIOA participant case management systems (Illinois Workforce Development System)

D.2.1

B.5.2.3. COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY ELEMENTS

Sections 20-15 and 35-30 of the Illinois Procurement Code (30 ILCS 500/) require offerors to be evaluated on their commitment to diversity. The points available for Commitment to Diversity are described in Section D.9. and are equivalent to 20% of the Technical Requirements points. The State evaluates Commitment to Diversity without consideration of price.

Commitment to Diversity Categories

Category 1 – BEP Compliance - Whether or how well the Offeror meets this solicitation’s goal of contracting or subcontracting with businesses owned by women, minorities, or persons with disabilities. 5%

Category 2 – Subcontracting/Contracting with any WMD businesses (not limited to BEP vendors) - Whether the Offeror assisted businesses owned by women, minorities, or persons with disabilities. 10%

Category 3 – Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Spend – Offeror’s percentage of business, education and/or community spend from prior calendar year gross revenue that involves businesses owned by women, minorities and/or persons with disabilities. The assisted businesses are not required to be certified in the Illinois Business Enterprise Program. 20%

Category 4 – DEI Time - Offeror’s hours spent in the prior calendar year on promoting DEI in the workplace, the community, education institutes, or supporting businesses owned by women, minorities, or persons with disabilities. The assisted business is not required to be certified in the Illinois Business Enterprise Program. The success or failure of each event does not impact the points achieved. The event may be voluntary or paid time. 20%

Category 5 – DEI Policies - Entity has provided a written copy of, or link to, their current written workforce diversity, equity, and inclusion policy. Policies must be actionable plans, not overarching concepts around DEI. 10%

Category 6 – Diversity in Staffing - % of individuals on governing board and/ or Senior executives out of all staff who identify as women, minorities or person with disabilities. 10% % of individuals in management /supervisor positions out of all staff who identify as women, minorities or person with disabilities. 13% % of total staff who identify as women, minorities or person with disabilities. 12%

B.6. The maximum number of points for Technical is 1,000.

B.7. The maximum number of points for the diversity plan is 200. The points will be awarded according to section B.5.2.3.3 & D.9, which the vendor should return with their proposal.

B.8. The maximum number of points is 1,200 (Technical 1,000 + Diversity Plan 200 )

SELECTION OF VENDOR

State of Illinois P & A RFP 17 Section 1. Part B. Selection of Vendor V.24.1 C. Project Title / BidBuy Reference #: Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Technical Assistance RFP

26-420DCEO-STRTC-B-45731

The undersigned authorized representative of the identified Offeror hereby submits this Offer to perform in full compliance with the subject solicitation. By completing and signing this form, the Offeror makes an Offer to the State of Illinois that the State may accept.

Offeror should use this form as a final check to ensure that all required documents are completed and included with the Offer. Offeror must mark each blank below as appropriate; mark N/A when a section is not applicable to this solicitation. Offeror understands that failure to meet all requirements is cause for disqualification.

C.1. SOLICITATION AND CONTRACT REVIEW: Offeror reviewed the Request for Proposal, including all referenced documents and instructions, completed all blanks, provided all required information, and demonstrated how it will meet the requirements of the State of Illinois.

|_| Yes |_| No C.2. ADDENDA: Offeror acknowledges receipt of any and all addenda to the solicitation and has taken those into account in making this Offer.

|_| Yes |_| No|_| N/A C.3. PRE-SUBMISSION: If attendance was mandatory, Offeror attended the Pre-Submission Conference.

|_| Yes |_| No |_| N/A C.4. OFFER SUBMISSION: Offeror is submitting the correct number of copies, in a properly labeled container(s), to the correct location, and by the due date and time.

|_| Yes |_| No C.5. VENDOR DISCLOSURE (formerly named FORMS A) or IPG ACTIVE REGISTERED VENDOR DISCLOSURE (formerly named FORMS B): Offeror is properly submitting either Vendor Disclosure or IPG Active Registered Vendor Disclosure, but not both.

|_| Yes |_| No C.6. BOND: If applicable, Offeror is submitting its Bid Bond or Performance Bond.

|_| Yes |_| No |_| N/A C.7. SMALL BUSINESS SET-ASIDE: Offeror is a qualified small business in the Small Business Set-Aside Program at the time Offers are due.

|_| Yes |_| No |_| N/A

C.8. PACKET 1 – SPECIFICATIONS/QUALIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK

|_| Yes |_| No

C.9. PACKET 2 – PRICING

|_| Yes |_| No

C.10. PACKET 3 – OFFER

|_| Yes |_| No

C.11. PACKET 4 – VENDOR DISCLOSURES (formerly named FORMS A)

C.12. PACKET 4 – IPG ACTIVE REGISTERED VENDOR DISCLOSURE (formerly named FORMS B)

C.13. PACKET 5 – REDACTED OFFER

C.14. PACKET 6 – BEP UTILIZATION PLAN