State of Illinois RFP V.26.2

Illinois State Board of Education

Request for Proposal

Training for Tenured Teacher Dismissal Hearing Officers

26-586SBE-FINAN-B-49934

Section A. SCOPE OF WORK

A.1. OVERVIEW AND PURPOSE

The purpose of this Request for Proposal (RFP) is to select an Offeror to provide training annually to no more than 25 potential hearing officers each year who may preside over the dismissal hearings of teachers in contractual continued service (i.e., tenured teachers) throughout the State of Illinois and principals employed by the Chicago Board of

Education, consistent with the requirements set forth in Sections 24-12, 34-85, and 24-

16.5 of the School Code (105 ILCS 5/24-12, 34-85, and 24-1.5), as well as Part 51 of Title

23 of the Illinois Administrative Code (23 Ill. Admin. Code 51). In addition to demonstrating mastery of the relevant provisions contained in the Illinois School Code and corresponding rules, the successful Offeror must be able to present a structured and coherent plan of training and support to ensure that all hearing officers will be familiar with issues generally involved in evaluative and non-evaluative dismissals of tenured teachers and specified principals, as well as the process of conducting dismissal hearings as set forth under Federal and Illinois law and regulations.

A.2. DESIRED OUTCOMES OF THIS PROJECT/ENGAGEMENT

Under the oversight of the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), the Offeror shall prepare a training program for potential hearing officers who may preside over dismissal hearings of tenured teachers throughout the State of Illinois and principals employed by the Chicago Board of Education. The training must be ready for presentation on or before June 30, 2026, and each subsequent June 30 during the term of the contract. The selected Offeror will have the following responsibilities during the term of the contract:

1. Develop and provide a training program for the potential hearing officers.

2. Develop and execute a plan to address updates and effectiveness of the training program.

3. Develop and execute a plan to present the training program and provide ongoing technical assistance.

4. Develop and execute a plan to certify training completion.

5. Develop and execute a plan for an assessment report.

6. Work with ISBE on the development of the training program and related plans, and submit the training program and all plans to ISBE for final approval prior to the delivery of the training.

Specific requirements for the responsibilities are listed in F.1.

Desired Outcome/Deliverable Schedule Develop initial draft of training program as well as plans for:

• Delivering the training program,

• Updating and ensuring effectiveness of training programs,

• Providing ongoing technical assistance,

• Certifying completion of training, and

• Providing an assessment report.

Within the first 3-5 months of the contract.

Meet with stakeholders (virtually or in-person) and incorporate feedback.

Within the first 5-8 months of the contract.

Update draft of training program and plans with feedback from stakeholders.

Within the first 5-8 months of the contract.

Create a procedure and mechanism for hearing officers to communicate with the Offeror and each other regarding technical issues.

Within the first 6-9 months of the contract.

Obtain approval from ISBE of the final draft of training program and all materials, including plans.

On or before June 30 of each year of contract.

Provide the training program.

July 1 through September 30 of each year of the contract.

Track, maintain, and certify to ISBE whether each potential hearing officer has completed the training program.

July 1 through September 30 of each year of the contract.

Certification must be submitted to ISBE within 30 days of training.

Update the training program, with ISBE approval, to reflect legal changes and provide updated trainings as may be needed.

As needed, ongoing. All updates need to be incorporated by June 30 of each contract year.

Obtain feedback from potential hearing officers. Within 3 months after the presentation of the training materials.

Provide ISBE with an assessment report. Within 3 months after the presentation of the training materials.

A.3. SCHEDULE & BUDGET

Solicitation Posted November 2025

Bid Opening December 2025

Technical Evaluation December 2025

Award December 2025

Contract Execution January 2026

A.4. UNIQUE CONSIDERATIONS

ISBE has resources, supportive tools, and prior training program materials that can be used as a reference in the preparation of the training program. Additionally, ISBE can provide contact information and facilitate meetings with stakeholders.

A.5. TERM

A.5.1. TERM OF THIS CONTRACT: The contract resulting from this procurement will have an initial term commencing upon the last dated signature of the Parties and ending on June 30, 2028. In no event will the total term of the contract, including the initial term, any renewal terms, and any extensions, exceed 10 years. Vendor shall not commence billable work in furtherance of the contract prior to final execution of the contract except when permitted pursuant to 30

ILCS 500/20-80.

Section B. CURRENT CONDITIONS

B.1. OVERVIEW & BACKGROUND

Pursuant to Sections 24-12(d)(3) and 24-16.5 of the School Code, ISBE is required to maintain a master list of hearing officers qualified to preside over dismissal hearings for tenured teachers employed by any Illinois school district, except the Chicago Board of

Education. Additionally, pursuant to Sections 34-85(a)(3) and 24-16.5, the Chicago

Board of Education must maintain a list of at least nine hearing officers to conduct hearings for the dismissal of tenured teachers and principals employed by the Chicago

Board of Education. All hearing officers on either list must have participated in and completed a training provided or approved by ISBE specific to issues generally involved in evaluative and non-evaluative dismissals. (See Sections 24-12(d)(3) and 34-85(a)(3) of the School Code.) This solicitation seeks proposals from eligible entities to conduct the training on behalf and with the approval of ISBE.

Several provisions of the School Code govern tenure, evaluations, and the dismissals of tenured teachers and Chicago Board of Education principals, including 105 ILCS 5/24-11;

105 ILCS 5/24-12; 105 ILCS 5/24-16.5; 105 ILCS 5/24A-1 et seq.; 105 ILCS 5/34-84; and

105 ILCS 5/34-85. Rules governing the relevant dismissals are found at 23 Ill. Admin.

Code 51 and rules governing evaluations are found at 23 Ill. Admin. Code 50. Offerors are encouraged to review relevant portions of the School Code and rules prior to submitting a proposal.

B.2. VOLUMES & QUANTITIES

ISBE has maintained a master list with approximately 25 qualified hearing officers. The

Chicago Board of Education is required to maintain a list of at least nine qualified hearing officers. We anticipate a few additional qualified individuals will want to become hearing officers for ISBE’s master list and/or the Chicago Board of Education’s list. We do not expect more than 25 individuals to attend the training in any given year.

In the past 10 years, there have been between one and 24 hearings annually with the decisions of the hearing officers posted on https://www.isbe.net/Pages/Educator-

Dismissals.aspx.

B.3. AREAS OF CONCERN/CHALLENGES

The laws and rules regarding teacher dismissals are in constant flux so the Offeror will need to adapt to changing legislation and rules, including Public Act 104-0020, and maintain the most up-to-date information. During at least the first year of the contract, Parts 50 (Evaluation of Educator Licensed Employees Under Articles 24A and 34 of the School Code) and 51 (Dismissal of Tenured Teachers Under Article 24 and Dismissal of https://www.isbe.net/Pages/Educator-Dismissals.aspx https://www.isbe.net/Pages/Educator-Dismissals.aspx

Tenured Teachers and Principals Under Article 34 of the School Code) of Title 23 of the Illinois Administrative Code will likely be under review and pending revisions. The Offeror will monitor developments from the legislature and judicial systems to ensure that the hearing officers have access to the most up-to-date information on legal developments affecting their responsibilities. This may require frequently updating materials on short notice.

B.4. STRENGTHS

ISBE last offered hearing officers training from approximately 2012 through 2014. During that time, approximately 25 hearing officers participated in the training and were added to ISBE’s master list and/or the Chicago Board of Education’s list. ISBE has materials from prior trainings and additional resources.

B.5. FIGURES, DIAGRAMS, & REFERENCE DOCUMENTS

Attachment A - Agency Terms and Conditions.

Section C. PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS

Only Electronic Submissions through BidBuy of Offers will be Accepted

C.1. REQUIRED DOCUMENTS TO COMPLETE AND SUBMIT

The Offeror shall submit the listed documents in BidBuy under the Attachments tab in the appropriate “Required Attachments” spaces.

• Vendor Disclosure or IPG Active Registered Vendor Disclosure

• Technical response

• Offer to the State of Illinois

• Commitment to Diversity

Blank documents may be found on the Chief Procurement Officer for General Service’s website at https://cpo-general.illinois.gov/solicitation-and-contract-templates.html and on the BidBuy posting under “File Attachments:”. 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/purchasing-entity-resources/compliance.html.

Failure to submit Vendor Disclosure or IPG Active Registered Vendor Disclosure, as applicable, and the Utilization Plan(s), as applicable, with the Offer submitted in BidBuy shall render the Offer non-responsive.

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. Offeror submissions will only be considered if they are received through BidBuy and on or before the time and date indicated as the “Bid Opening Date” on the BidBuy posting. Any required attachments must be submitted via BidBuy.

https://cpo-general.illinois.gov/solicitation-and-contract-templates.html https://cei.illinois.gov/purchasing-entity-resources/compliance.html

Price entries on the Items tab will be locked automatically upon submission of the quote.

E n t e r i n g c o s t , p r i c i n g o r d i s c o u n t i n f o r m a t i o n i n t h e A l t e r n a t e D e s c r i p t i o n m a y r e s u l t i n d i s q u a l i f i c a t i o n . If the agency requires pricing to be submitted in an attachment, Offeror 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 will result in disqualification of your offer. NOTE: Do not check “Does the attachment contain any pricing, cost or discount information” if the attachment does NOT include pricing, cost, or discount information.

Documents shall be submitted in an electronic format that is accessible and readable using

Microsoft Office suite software or Adobe Reader. Corrupted files shall not be considered. It is the Offeror’s responsibility to check that files are accessible and legible after uploading.

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

The State encourages the Offeror to ensure that their BidBuy account is up-to-date. 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.

OFFEROR INSTRUCTIONS TO SUBMIT IN BIDBUY

Create Quote:

General Tab : Save and Continue

Items Tab Follow instructions in the Pricing section of the solicitation document as to whether pricing will be entered in the Unit Cost of the Items Tab or submitted as a separate Pricing Document in the Attachments Tab.

Note: any pricing entered in the Unit Cost of the Items Tab will be locked until after Technical Evaluations take place. Do not enter cost, pricing, or any discount information in the Alternate Description field. Entering cost, pricing or discount information in the Alternate Description may result in disqualification.

Terms and Conditions Tab

: Select “Yes”, “No”, or “Yes with Exceptions”

Note: If taking any exceptions to Standard Terms and Conditions an offeror must submit a redline version of the Standard Terms and Conditions with their proposal.

Attachments Tab For each required quote attachment listed:

: “Upload” (next to each required attachment) : “Choose File” Note: If a pricing document is required, mark the box next to the question, “Does this attachment contain any pricing, cost, or discount information?”

Failure to mark this box when attaching a pricing document will result in disqualification.

Check this box ONLY if a separate pricing document is required.

Do NOT check this box for any other required quote attachment such as the Technical Proposal, Vendor Disclosure / IPG Active Registered Vendor Disclosure, or Utilization Plan(s), or Offer.

Summary Tab : “Submit Quote”

Offerors may also view the “Request for Proposal (RFP) Vendor Submission Instructions

Video found at https://cpo-general.illinois.gov/vendor-resources.html

C.2. DUE DATE AND TIME FOR SUBMISSION OF OFFERS

Each solicitation contains the Offer due date and time, appearing as the “Bid Opening

Date:” on the BidBuy posting. Offeror shall submit Offers in BidBuy, and the State shall open Offers electronically in BidBuy on the “Bid Opening Date”. The Offer must remain firm for 180 days from opening.

C.3. CONFLICT BETWEEN INFORMATION IN ELECTRONIC DOCUMENTS AND ON BIDBUY

If the State provides information in electronic documents (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 electronic documents is presumed to represent the

State’s intent. If the Offeror provides information in electronic documents that is different or in conflict with the information the Offeror provides in BidBuy through their

Seller Account, then the information in electronic documents shall represent the

Offeror’s intended submission.

C.4. PUBLISHED PROCUREMENT INFORMATION

https://cpo-general.illinois.gov/vendor-resources.html

The State publishes procurement information, including solicitations, awards, and amendments, on the Chief Procurement Officer for General Services’ Illinois

Procurement Bulletin, known 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 BidBuy. The State will not be held responsible if Offeror fails to receive the optional e-mail notice of future amendments to the solicitation.

C.5. INFORMATION CONTACT

The individual listed in the “Info Contact:” field on the BidBuy posting shall be the single point of contact for this solicitation. Unless otherwise directed, Offeror 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.

C.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

November 20, 2025. Questions received and Agency responses may be posted as a Bid

Amendment to the original solicitation on BidBuy; only these posted answers to questions shall be binding on the State. Offeror is responsible for monitoring BidBuy and BidBuy email notifications.

C.7. SMALL BUSINESS SET-ASIDE

In the Bulletin posting, if “Yes” is shown to the question “Is this a Small Business Set-

Aside Procurement?”, then Offeror must be registered by the Illinois Small Business Set-

Aside Program at the time Offers are due for the Offer to be evaluated. For requirements on qualifying Offeror’s business in the Small Business Set-Aside Program, please go to the Chief Procurement Office for General Service’s website at https://cpo-general.illinois.gov/sell-2-illinois.html .

C.8. SECURITY

Bid/Performance Bond: $ N/A. If a bond is required, Offeror must submit the Bid Bond with your offer or Performance Bond to the Information Contact within ten (10) days after contract execution. 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.

https://www.bidbuy.illinois.gov/bso/ https://cpo-general.illinois.gov/sell-2-illinois.html https://cpo-general.illinois.gov/sell-2-illinois.html

C.9. TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Standard Terms and Conditions will become a part of any resulting contract. To view the

Standard Terms and Conditions, please go to https://cpo-general.illinois.gov/solicitation-and-contract-templates.html.

Agency terms and Conditions will become a part of any resulting contract. (Please see

Section G.)

https://cpo-general.illinois.gov/solicitation-and-contract-templates.html

Section D. EVALUATION PROCEDURES

D.1. EVALUATION PROCESS

The State assesses each Offer for Responsibility (E.10) and Responsiveness. The State considers the information provided and the quality of that information when assessing

Offers. If the State finds a failure or deficiency, the State may reject the Offer or reflect the failure or deficiency in the assessment.

There are three scored parts to each proposal – technical, commitment to diversity, and pricing. Each part of the proposal is evaluated and ranked independently of the other parts of the proposal. The results of the evaluation of all three parts shall be used in ranking the proposals.

The State may award to the most responsive and responsible offeror whose offer best meets the specified criteria.

D.2. 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.

D.2.1. The State will determine whether the Offeror 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.

D.2.2. Subcontractor Disclosure: If the Offer includes any subcontractors, then

Offeror shall complete the Subcontractor Disclosure section of the Offer to the State of Illinois.

D.2.3. If completing IPG Active Registered Vendor Disclosure, then responsiveness may include and may not be limited to:

• Active Illinois Procurement Gateway registration # with expiration date

• Certifications timely to this solicitation

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

• Disclosure of pending and current contracts

D.2.4. If completing Vendor Disclosure, required parts 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 (IDHR) 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 an Offer 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.

D.2.5. The State will determine whether the Offer meets the stated Technical 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 Technical requirement, the State may waive that requirement.

D.2.6. 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.

D.3. EVALUATION METHODOLOGY

The Technical Requirements are described in Sections F.2., F.3., and F.5. The State evaluates the Technical Requirements without consideration of price.

D.3.1. Total Number of Points Available for Technical Requirements is: 576

D.3.2. Offeror shall complete and return Sections F.2., F.3.

D.3.3. Relative Weight in Point Format

Technical Requirements Points Available

Mandatory Requirements with Evidence 0; all must be met and are evaluated as pass or fail

Proposed Technical Solution 480

D.4. 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 F.4. and are equivalent to 20% of the Technical

Requirements points. The State evaluates Commitment to Diversity without consideration of price.

D.4.1. The total number of points for Commitment to Diversity is 96.

D.4.2. Offeror shall complete and return Section F.4 Commitment to Diversity

D.4.3. Commitment to Diversity Categories: The percentages at the end of each section reflect the weighted distribution of points available identified in

D.4.1.

Commitment to Diversity Categories

Category 1 – BEP Compliance - Whether the Offeror meets the set goal for contracting or subcontracting with businesses owned by women, minorities, or persons with disabilities or completed a Good Faith Effort Waiver for this procurement. 5%

Category 2 – Subcontracting/Contracting with any WMD businesses (not limited to BEP vendors) - Whether the

Offeror has contracted/subcontracted within the prior calendar year with 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 - The vendor has provided a written copy/screenshot of their current written workforce diversity, equity, and inclusion (“DEI”) policy. The policy provided must be actionable plans, not overarching concepts around DEI. 10%

Category 6 – Diversity in Staffing - % of individuals on governing board and/ or Senior executives who identify as women, minorities or person with disabilities. 10%

% of individuals in management /supervisor positions who identify as women, minorities or person with disabilities. 13% % of total staff who identify as women, minorities or person with disabilities. 12%

D.5. MINIMUM REQUIRED POINTS

Requests for Proposal may specify that offerors must receive a minimum number of points in their Technical and Commitment to Diversity proposals combined to be considered for price evaluation and award.

The State determines how well offers meet the Technical and Commitment to Diversity requirements and rank the offers 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.

D.5.1. The total number of available points for Technical and Commitment to

Diversity is 576.

D.6. PRICE

The State opens Price proposals after evaluating all Technical and Commitment to

Diversity proposals.

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 price proposals submitted, other known prices, the project budget, and other relevant factors.

D.6.1. The total number of points for Price is 115.

D.6.2. The State will determine Price points using the following formula:

Maximum Price Points X (Lowest Price/Offeror’s Price) = Total Price

Points

D.7. MAXIMUM AVAILABLE POINTS

The maximum number of points is 480 (Technical) + 96 (Commitment to Diversity) +

115 (Price) = 691 maximum available points.

Section E. ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS

E.1. 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”.

To view the full text, go to https://ilga.gov/Legislation/ILCS/Chapters . The Illinois

Procurement Code (30 ILCS 500) and the Standard Procurement Rules (44 ILL. ADM.

CODE PART 1) are applicable to this solicitation. To view them respectively, go to

Illinois General Assembly - 30 ILCS 500/ Illinois Procurement Code and Illinois General

Assembly - ADMINISTRATIVE CODE.

E.2. PUBLIC RECORDS AND REQUESTS FOR CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT

Offers become the property of the State. 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 C.) 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.

https://ilga.gov/Legislation/ILCS/Chapters https://www.ilga.gov/Legislation/ILCS/Articles?ActID=532&ChapterID=7 https://www.ilga.gov/Legislation/ILCS/Articles?ActID=532&ChapterID=7 https://ilga.gov/agencies/JCAR/Sections?PartID=04400001&TitleDescription=TITLE%2044:%20%20GOVERNMENT%20CONTRACTS,%20GRANTMAKING,%20%20%20PROCUREMENT%20AND%20PROPERTY%20MANAGEMENT https://ilga.gov/agencies/JCAR/Sections?PartID=04400001&TitleDescription=TITLE%2044:%20%20GOVERNMENT%20CONTRACTS,%20GRANTMAKING,%20%20%20PROCUREMENT%20AND%20PROPERTY%20MANAGEMENT

E.3. 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.

E.4. FEDERAL FUNDS

The resulting contract may be partially or totally funded with Federal funds. Upon notice of intent to award, the percentage of supplies and/or services involved that are

Federally funded and the dollar amount of such Federal funds will be disclosed.

E.5. 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 [35 ILCS 5/216, 5/217].

E.6. 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 Offeror(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).

E.7. 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.

E.8. 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.

E.9. 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

Attn: Protest Review Office

Email: cpogs.pro@illinois.gov

E.10. 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 mailto:cpogs.pro@illinois.gov 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:

E.10.1. 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 publicly 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, supplies or services after providing the

State with a demonstration of the developing technology, supplies, 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.

E.10.2. Other factors that the State may use to 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.

E.10.3. Awarded offerors must always 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.

E.10.4. The State may require that an offeror correct any deficiencies as a condition of further evaluation.

E.11. 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://pathway2procurement.illinois.gov/bidbuy.html https://pathway2procurement.illinois.gov/bidbuy.html

Section F. PROPOSAL FORMS

Offeror must complete and return:

• The following three (3) tables include: Contract Requirements (Section F.1), and Technical Requirements: Mandatory Requirements with Evidence (Section F.2), and Proposed Technical Solution (Section F.3)

• Commitment to Diversity (Section F.4)

• Offer to the State of Illinois

Please read and follow each instruction carefully.

F.1. CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

Please read each contract requirement carefully in F.1. These contract requirements shall be included in any contract resulting from this solicitation.

CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

F.1.1. Develop and provide a training program for the potential hearing officers. The program must include:

a. A presentation, training manual, and other resources that address all the legal requirements for evaluative and non-evaluative dismissals, as well as the process of conducting dismissal hearings, as outlined in the School Code and relevant rules;

b. Instruction on the procedures for dismissals under Sections 24-12, 34-85, and 24-16.5 of the School Code; Part 51 of Title 23 of the Illinois Administrative Code; and related provisions of Federal and Illinois laws and regulations;

c. Instruction on relevant State and Federal case law;

d. Instruction on the relevant Illinois Rules of Evidence;

e. Feedback and input from stakeholders, including representatives from

ISBE, school districts, exclusive bargaining representatives, current hearing officers, and other interested parties;

f. Instruction on the effective mediation techniques and other best practices for facilitating the settlement of disputes;

g. Instruction on evaluating evidence and witness credibility;

h. Instruction on the role of collective bargaining agreements in hearings;

i. Overview of employment laws that may be raised as part of the proceedings; and

j. Instruction on the best practices of decision-writing and form, including format of decision/recommendation; critical thinking;

analysis of evidence; impartiality and civility; and use of case law.

All training program materials shall be provided to all potential hearing officers participating in the program and must be approved by ISBE in advance of presentation.

F.1.2. Develop and execute a plan to address and incorporate updates and ensure effectiveness of the training program. The plan must address how the Offeror will:

a. Meet (virtual or in-person) with and incorporate relevant information from the various ISBE pre-approved stakeholders, including representatives from ISBE, school districts, exclusive bargaining representatives, current hearing officers, and other interested parties;

b. Stay up to date with legal changes, including statutory, regulatory, and case law;

c. Incorporate feedback from hearing officers to assess the effectiveness of the training program and update the training program as may be needed, with ISBE approval. The Offeror must create a uniform evaluation form for potential hearing officers to complete after the training to assess the training program and identify areas of strength and areas of improvement; and

d. Establish procedures and mechanisms for hearing officers to communicate with the Offeror and each other regarding technical issues.

F.1.3. Develop and execute a plan to present the training program and provide ongoing technical assistance. The plan must address how the Offeror will provide:

a. The presentation and materials at least once per year of the contract to no more than 25 potential hearing officers annually in a virtual or in-person platform;

b. A presentation that lasts between four and six hours;

c. Interactive portions of the training that allow potential hearing officers to ask questions and check for understanding; and

d. Technical assistance prior to, during, and after the completion of the training program. Technical assistance will be limited to procedural questions and not questions regarding the substance or merits of a particular case before a hearing.

F.1.4. Develop and execute a plan to certify training completion. The plan must describe how:

a. The Offeror will track and maintain evidence as to whether each potential hearing officer has completed the training program; and

b. The Offeror will certify to ISBE whether the potential hearing officers completed the training.

F.1.5. Develop and execute a plan for an assessment report. The plan must include:

a. How the Offeror will report to ISBE on the effectiveness of the hearing officer training program (including recommendations for future programs);

b. Address how information for the assessment report will be collected;

c. How the Offeror will collect and report hearing officer completion rate, feedback from hearing officers, areas of strengths, and areas of improvements; and

d. How the Offeror will assess and report the performance of the potential hearing officers.

F.1.6. The Offeror shall work with ISBE on the development of the training program and related plans, and will submit the training program and all plans to ISBE for final approval prior to the delivery of the training. Offeror will provide ongoing related technical assistance to hearing officers.

By submitting an offer to this solicitation. The offeror agrees that will meet the contract requirements in Section F.1.

F.2. MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS WITH EVIDENCE

Please check “Met” to each of the mandatory requirements for the proposed solution. An

Offeror that does not provide substantiating evidence for each requirement will be disqualified and the rest of the proposal will not be scored.

These Mandatory Requirements shall be included in any contract resulting from this solicitation.

Please provide substantiating evidence in your Proposed Technical Solution. Use the column on the right to indicate the section and page number where your evidence/response to each item may be found. The State will evaluate Offeror’s evidence/response to verify the mandatory requirement is met.

MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS WITH EVIDENCE Proposal Section and

Page Number

F.2.1. Accredited by a national arbitration organization. Met

MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS WITH EVIDENCE Proposal Section and

Page Number

F.2.2. Minimum of 5 years of experience directly related to labor and employment relations matters between employers and employees or their exclusive bargaining representatives.

Met

F.3. PROPOSED TECHNICAL SOLUTION – DESIRABLE ELEMENTS

Please explain how your organization meets or will meet each of the desirable elements.

Use the column on the right to indicate the section and page number of your proposal where your response to each item may be found.

PROPOSED TECHNICAL SOLUTION – DESIRABLE

ELEMENTS

Point Value Proposal Section and

Page Number

F.3.1. Offeror provided evidence of demonstrated experience and expertise in the laws governing tenured teacher for Illinois school districts, principal dismissals for Chicago Public Schools, and union relations. The ideal candidate will have experience representing both management and employees/labor.

F.3.2. Offeror provided evidence of demonstrated experience in administrative law and administrative due process proceedings.

F.3.3. Offeror provided evidence of having attended (live or virtual on-demand) Chicago-Kent College of Law’s 40th Annual Public Sector Labor Relations Labor Law Conference, seminar on Tenured Teacher Dismissals in Illinois Public Schools (https://ckcle.ce21.com/item/tenured-teacher-dismissals-illinois-public-schools- 669661#tabDescription).

F.3.4. Offeror provided at least two examples of evidence of qualifications beyond the minimum experience requirements describing why the Offeror is capable of meeting the mandatory and technical elements of the

RFP.

F.3.5. Offeror provided a plan describing the process by which the Offeror will develop and update the training program that will be offered to potential hearing officers.

F.3.6. Offeror provided a detailed description and example of the training program that will be offered, including a description of the curriculum, training materials and manual, and method of delivering the training.

https://ckcle.ce21.com/item/tenured-teacher-dismissals-illinois-public-schools-669661#tabDescription https://ckcle.ce21.com/item/tenured-teacher-dismissals-illinois-public-schools-669661#tabDescription https://ckcle.ce21.com/item/tenured-teacher-dismissals-illinois-public-schools-669661#tabDescription

PROPOSED TECHNICAL SOLUTION – DESIRABLE

ELEMENTS

Point Value Proposal Section and

Page Number

F.3.7. Offeror provided a plan describing the means by which the Offeror will provide the training.

F.3.8. Offeror provided a plan describing the means by which the Offeror will supply technical assistance to the hearing officers including the manner by which hearing officers will be permitted to contact the Offeror and each other. (Technical assistance will be limited to procedural questions and not questions regarding the substance or merits of a particular case before a hearing.)

F.3.9. Offeror provided a plan describing how the Offeror will track, maintain, and certify the completion of the training program by the hearing officers.

F.3.10. Offeror provided a plan describing how the Offeror will obtain and utilize feedback from potential hearing officers, stakeholders, and others to assess the effectiveness of the training program and update the training program as may be needed, with ISBE approval.

F.4. COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY

Commitment to Diversity Vendor Guidance including Vendor Submission Forms are located on the Chief Procurement Officer for General Service’s website at https://cpo-general.illinois.gov/commitment-to-diversity/c2d-guidance.html and on the

BidBuy posting under “File Attachments:”

F.5. PRICING

F.5.1. FORMAT OF PRICING:

F.5.1.1. Offeror shall submit pricing in the Quote Items Tab on BidBuy, based on the terms and conditions set forth in this Request for

Proposal Solicitation Document. Offeror’s price offer shall serve as the basis for the compensation terms of the resulting contract. Failure to submit pricing in the Items Tab on BidBuy may render Offeror’s entire Offer non-responsive and ineligible for award. Note: any pricing entered in the Unit Cost of the

Items Tab will be locked until after Technical and Commitment to Diversity Evaluations are complete. Do not enter cost, pricing, or any discount information in the Alternate

Description field. Entering cost, pricing or discount information in the Alternate Description may result in disqualification.

https://cpo-general.illinois.gov/commitment-to-diversity/c2d-guidance.html

F.5.1.2. Offeror shall submit pricing via the attachments tab in BidBuy, utilizing the agency provided form for pricing. Offeror shall upload pricing under the “Required Documents” section of 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.

F.5.2. TYPE OF PRICING: The Illinois Office of the Comptroller requires the

State to indicate whether the contract pricing is firm or estimated at the time it is submitted for obligation. Pricing pursuant to this contract is firm.

F.5.3. EXPENSES ALLOWED: Expenses are not allowed

F.5.4. TAXES: Pricing shall not include any taxes unless…