AGR-Marketing-Bus Tour

The Illinois Department of Agriculture is seeking a motor coach transportation service for the 2025 Illinois Grain Industry Bus Tour, a specialized agricultural industry event scheduled from August 25-28, 2025. The procurement requires a bus less than five years old, capable of transporting up to 50 people, and equipped with specific amenities including a microphone system, restroom, Wi-Fi, electrical outlets, and luggage storage. The tour will visit multiple agricultural and industry locations such as GSI in Assumption, Clarkson Grain in Cerro Gordo, the Farm Progress Show in Decatur, Marquis Energy in Hennepin, and the Syngenta Research & Development Center in Malta. The contract, posted on April 3, 2025, has a submission deadline of April 9, 2025, with an initial term ending September 30, 2025, and a potential maximum contract term of ten years. The vendor must cover all operational costs including tolls, licenses, fees, parking, and fuel, with the state providing daily lunch and dinner for the driver and covering overnight accommodations when necessary.

The contract requires comprehensive insurance coverage, including $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 annual aggregate in general commercial liability, $1,000,000 in auto liability coverage, and mandatory worker's compensation insurance. While the document does not explicitly indicate set-aside designations or specific restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises, the detailed insurance and operational requirements suggest a preference for established transportation providers with significant operational capacity. No incumbent vendors are mentioned in the available documentation, and no specific budget range or award value is explicitly stated. The procurement is specifically targeted to Clinton County, Illinois, and appears to be part of a broader initiative to showcase and explore the state's agricultural industry and infrastructure. Potential bidders should carefully review the full contract documentation to ensure complete compliance with the technical specifications and operational requirements.