2027 DBE Today's Challenge, Tomorrow's Reward Conference - IFB

The Illinois Department of Transportation's Office of Business and Workforce Diversity is requesting bids for a venue to host the 2027 Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Conference: Today's Challenge, Tomorrow's Reward in March or April 2027, with bids due September 8, 2026. The venue must be located in Cook, Will, DuPage, Kane, McHenry, or Lake County.

The conference provides workshops and networking to help DBE firms pursue federally funded highway contracts and advance Federal Highway Administration goals. Bidders must submit all required documentation through BidBuy, including a Vendor Disclosure or IPG Active Registered Vendor Disclosure form, an Offer to the State of Illinois, the contract, and a completed pricing table. No bid bond or performance bond is required.

The State will award to the lowest priced responsive and responsible bidder meeting all specified criteria. Contract pricing shall be submitted in the Quote Items Tab on BidBuy and will serve as the basis for compensation. The contract may be partially or wholly funded with Federal funds, with the percentage and dollar amount to be disclosed upon award notification. Bid prices must remain firm for 180 days from opening.

Bidders awarded contracts of $1,000 or more will owe a $15 fee under the Minority Contractor Opportunity Initiative, to be deducted from the first payment issued. Bidders may claim Illinois-specific business preferences, including the Illinois Business Preference and Domestic Product Preference, with appropriate documentation and affidavits. All bids become public record under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act unless specific confidentiality exemptions are claimed with statutory justification. The State reserves the right to amend the solicitation, reject any or all bids, request clarifications, and waive minor defects. A pre-submission conference may be designated as mandatory.