Sole Source Justification Form

Version 7.01 Page 1 of 6

Bulletin Reference Number 26-586SBE-CHFED-B-51548

Requesting Agency/University Illinois State Board of Education

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

Department/Bureau/Section: Multilingual / Language Development Department

Need Identified Date: 9/2/2025 Supply/Service Need By Date: 07/01/2026

Project Title: English Learner Professional Development and Technical Assistance

Vendor: The Illinois Resource Center

Provide a description of the supplies or services required: Training and Professional Development for Educators of English Learners and Technical Assistance for English Learner's Excellence

Value: Not to Exceed Value of Initial Term, this Change Order or Amendment: 4,199,888

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: 07/01/2026

Estimated Contract End Date: 06/30/2028

Number of Potential Renewals: 0

Length of Each Renewal in Months: 0

Total Value of All Renewals: 0

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

If yes, provide a detailed justification including any economic benefit received for agreeing to a multi-year term:

A multi-year term will allow for longer term planning of professional development and technical assistance efforts, thereby ensuring that such professional development and technical assistance are sustainable and more effective. As the 105 ILCS 5/14C-1 states that the amount shall be no less than in previous years, there is no economic benefit received as we cannot reduce the amount of money spent on such Professional Development and Technical Assistance from what was spent in the past.

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 Resource Center is the only organization that meets the requirements set out in 105ILCS 5/14C-1

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

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Bulletin Reference Number 26-586SBE-CHFED-B-51548

Requesting Agency/University Illinois State Board of Education

Section V - Purchase History

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

Term Term From Term To Value Description Contract Number Type

1 07/01/2024 06/30/2026 4,199,888

Training and Professional Development for Educators of English Learners and Technical Assistance for English Learners' Excellence

MY254501 Sole Source

2 07/01/2022 06/30/2023 3,799,888

Training and Professional Development for Educators of English Learners and Technical Assistance for English Learners' Excellence

MY23450 Sole Source

3 07/01/2021 06/30/2022 1,699,944 Professional Development and Technical Assistance 22033 Sole Source

4 11/08/2021 06/30/2022 200,000 Computer Science Professional Development for Teachers 22059 Sole Source

5 07/01/2020 06/30/2021 1,199,947 Training and Professional Development of Educators of English Learners

MY17251 Renewal

6 07/01/2020 06/30/2021 499,997 Technical Assistance for English Learners' Excellence MY17252 Renewal

7 07/01/2019 06/30/2020 1,199,947 Training and Professional Development for Educators of English Learners

MY17451 Renewal

8 07/01/2019 06/30/2020 499,997 Technical Assistance for English Learners' Excellence MY17452 Renewal

9 07/01/2018 06/30/2019 1,199,947 Training and Professional Development for Educators of English Learners

MY14751 Renewal

10 07/01/2018 06/30/2019 499,997 Technical Assistance for English Learners' Excellence MY14752 Renewal

If more than 10, or if other comments, explain:

07/01/2017-06/30/2017, $499997, Technical Assistance for English Learners' Excellence, MY 17452 RFP. 07/01/2016-06/30/2017, $1,199,947, Training and Professional Development of Educators of English Learners, MY 17451, RFP. The Illinois Resource Center is the only organization that can meet the requirements of 105 ILCS 5/14C-1.

Section VI - Business Rationale

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Bulletin Reference Number 26-586SBE-CHFED-B-51548

Requesting Agency/University Illinois State Board of Education

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

English Learners are the fastest growing subgroup of students in the State of Illinois. There are over 350,000 English Learners speaking over 200 different languages, with less than 30% of ELs located in the city of Chicago. Illinois has seen a growth of over 50,000 ELs over the past two years with more than half of all school districts receiving at least 1 newcomer EL in that time. English Learners are a protected class under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, and as such, districts are under certain obligations to ensure that they receive high quality services and instruction. Therefore, it is vital that the Illinois State Board of Education provide professional development opportunities for teachers, administrators, schools, and districts to enable them to meet these obligations to ELs.

105 ILCS 5/14C-1 states that “it is the purpose of this Act to provide for the establishment of transitional bilingual education programs in the public schools, to provide supplemental financial assistance through fiscal year 2017 to help local school districts meet the extra costs of such programs, and to allow this State through the State Board of Education to directly or indirectly provide technical assistance and professional development to support transitional bilingual education or a transitional program of instruction statewide through contractual services by a not-for-profit entity for technical assistance, professional development, and other support to school districts and educators for services for English learner pupils."

The Illinois State Board of Education Multilingual Department is unable to provide sufficient technical assistance and professional development to support transitional bilingual education or a transitional program of instruction statewide with our current staffing and funding levels. Therefore, it is necessary to contract with a not-for-profit entity in order to meet the needs of the 350,000+ English Learners in the state of Illinois.

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

See attached Document: "FY27 & 28 The Center Sole Source Specifications"

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?

The Illinois Resource Center is the only not-for-profit entity in Illinois that meets the requirements set forth in 105 ILCS 5/14C-1 for not-for-profit entities that can provide services which state:

“Not-for-profit entities providing support to school districts and educators for services for English learner pupils must have experience providing those services in a school district having a population exceeding 500,000; one or more school districts in any of the counties of Lake, McHenry, DuPage, Kane, and Will; and one or more school districts elsewhere in this State.”

The Illinois Resource Center is the only organization in Illinois that has experience providing support to school districts and educators for services for English Learners. They have worked with Chicago Public Schools (school districts having a population exceeding 500,000); and school districts in Lake, McHenry, DuPage, Kane, Will, and across the state. On top of meeting the minimum requirements laid out in 105 ILCS 5/14C-1, the Illinois Resource Center's staff is made up of experts in the field of English Learners who have not only been EL practitioners in schools, but who are active researchers and authors on topics related to English Learners.

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:

The Illinois Resource Center is uniquely placed among vendors in the state of Illinois based on their focus on the needs of English Language Learners. They are able to provide research based professional development for educators of all levels and technical assistance for districts that are grounded in the best practices for the instruction of English Learners. In addition, they meet the standards set forth in 105 ILCS 5/14C-1. The Illinois Resource Center staff is made up of experts in the field of English Learner Education with former EL teachers and EL Program Administrators and EL Researchers and Authors of definitive texts on staff. Along with the director and administrative staff, there are 7 Education Specialists with experience in program administration, implementation and design, bilingual education, bilingual special education, biliteracy, curriculum and instruction, applied linguistics, and English Learner methodology. They model an assets-based approach to education within each format through a linguistically and culturally responsive lens.

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

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Bulletin Reference Number 26-586SBE-CHFED-B-51548

Requesting Agency/University Illinois State Board of Education

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

There are no other alternatives that meet the standards set forth in 105 ILCS 5/14C-1. Nevertheless, ISBE intends to conduct a full competitive procurement for FY29 to determine whether any new vendors or alternative solutions have since emerged that could meet those requirements.

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?

105 ILCS 5/14C-1 states "In no case may aggregate funding for contractual services by a not-for-profit entity for support to school districts and educators for services for English learner pupils be less than the aggregate amount expended for such purposes in Fiscal Year 2017." The price for these services and supports will not exceed $4,199,888. This cost will cover increased number (compared to previous contracts) of professional development offerings. As mentioned in question 1, providing high quality professional development is a necessity given the growing number of ELs across the entire state and the protected status that ELs have. Please see "IRC Budget" attachment to see the anticipated budget for this project. The Illinois Resource Center is the sole not-for-profit entity in Illinois that meets the requirements set forth in 105 ILCS 5/14C-1 that can provide such services. The agency reached out to the Illinois Resource Center and confirmed that this is the best price the Illinois Resource Center can offer and the price is non-negotiable.

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?

While there is no negative financial impact, the Multilingual Department neither possesses the necessary content expertise nor staffing to develop and deliver the volume of the professional development and technical assistance work that the Illinois Resource Center does in a timely manner. Without this Sole Source, the Illinois State Board of Education will not be able to provide all of the services included in this sold source. For example, ISBE would not be able to provide targeted technical assistance through the School Improvement process to districts who are identified as targeted or comprehensive districts due to EL populations. These districts would be unsupported in their efforts to improve services to English Learners leaving English learners across the state falling farther behind as suggested by annual data. In addition, the annual State Bilingual Director's meeting, which is a key event for training EL program administrators on the requirements of EL programs, providing Professional Development, and disseminating best practices, would have to be canceled until we could find another organization who could do the work and meet the requirements of 105ILCS5/14C-1. The Bilingual Parent Summit, which reaches over 1,500 parents of English Learners from across the state would also have to be canceled.

This summit is a key event for training English Learner parents on their rights as parents and the rights of their students, supporting the development of district Bilingual Parent Advisory Councils, and providing professional development to parent advocates. In both instances, cancellation places ISBE out of compliance with the requirements of 105ILCS5/14C-1. Finally, 56 workshops (typically serving up to 30 teachers / administrators / other educators), 12 webinars (reaching over 100 educators each), and 4 Administrators Academies will be canceled as well. This will negatively impact thousands of educators directly, and hundreds of thousands of English Learner students indirectly. Like the aforementioned, not providing these professional learning opportunities places ISBE out of compliance with the requirements of 105ILCS5/14-C1.If not approved, this would negatively impact the field as there are no other providers of professional development developed for English Learners that meet the requirements in 105 ILCS 5/14C-1.

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

Not only is the Illinois Resource Center the only organization that meets the requirements of 105ILCS 5/14C-1, but it also meets requirements under Section 21B-45 of the School Code for providing professional development for teachers, including providing professional development that aligns to the licensee's performance, has outcomes for the activities that relate to student growth or district improvement, and their activities align to state-approved standards.

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Bulletin Reference Number 26-586SBE-CHFED-B-51548

Requesting Agency/University Illinois State Board of Education

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 02/06/2026

Printed Name Joanne M. Clyde E-mail Address jclyde@isbe.net

Phone Number 312-814-3850

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 jperry@isbe.net

Phone Number 217-785-8777 Date 03/13/2026

Printed Name Jason Perry

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 217-299-0935 Date

Printed Name Colene Underwood E-mail Address Colene.Underwood@Illinois.gov

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Bulletin Reference Number 26-586SBE-CHFED-B-51548

Requesting Agency/University Illinois State Board of Education

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

Project Title English Learner Professional Development and Technical Assistance

Vendor The Illinois Resource Center

Initial Date of Procurement Bulletin Posting Mar 13, 2026

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 217-622-1857

Printed Name Ellen H. Daley Date Apr 9, 2026

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

105 ILCS 5/14C-1 states that “it is the purpose of this Act to provide for the establishment of transitional bilingual education programs in the public schools, to provide supplemental financial assistance through fiscal year 2017 to help local school districts meet the extra costs of such programs, and to allow this State through the State Board of Education to directly or indirectly provide technical assistance and professional development to support transitional bilingual education or a transitional program of instruction statewide through contractual services by a not-for-profit entity for technical assistance, professional development, and other support to school districts and educators for services for English learner pupils."

The Illinois State Board of Education Multilingual Department is unable to provide sufficient technical assistance and professional development to support transitional bilingual education or a transitional program of instruction statewide with our current staffing and funding levels. Therefore, it is necessary to contract with a not-for-profit entity in order to meet the needs of the 350,000+ English Learners in the state of Illinois.

“Not-for-profit entities providing support to school districts and educators for services for English learner pupils must have experience providing those services in a school district having a population exceeding 500,000; one or more school districts in any of the counties of Lake, McHenry, DuPage, Kane, and Will; and one or more school districts elsewhere in this State.”

The Illinois Resource Center is the only organization in Illinois that has experience providing support to school districts and educators for services for English Learners. They have worked with Chicago Public Schools (school districts having a population exceeding 500,000); and school districts in Lake, McHenry, DuPage, Kane, Will, and across the state. On top of meeting the minimum requirements laid out in 105 ILCS 5/14C-1, the Illinois Resource Center's staff is made up of experts in the field of English Learners who have not only been EL practitioners in schools, but who are active researchers and authors on topics related to English Learners.