central communications system

The Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) is seeking proposals for a Central Communications System (CCS) to connect, monitor, and manage video gaming terminals (VGTs) across the state. The procurement aims to establish a comprehensive technological infrastructure capable of communicating with and monitoring a minimum of 120,000 VGTs across over 8,400 licensed video gaming locations in Illinois. The successful vendor will be responsible for creating, implementing, operating, and maintaining a real-time communication system that supports site controllers and related technological components in the video gaming industry. The RFP requires a detailed technical solution with mandatory capabilities including robust security protocols, reporting functions, data management, and integration with existing state systems. The evaluation will be comprehensive, allocating 900 points for technical solutions, 180 points for commitment to diversity, and 180 points for pricing, totaling 1,260 possible points. The procurement has a tentative timeline with a proposal submission deadline of November 15, 2024, and the contract will have an initial 5-year term with two optional renewal periods, potentially extending the total contract term to 10 years. Key deliverables include a transition plan, implementation of the CCS, ongoing maintenance, and compliance with state regulatory requirements.

The procurement includes a significant emphasis on diversity, with a Commitment to Diversity (C2D) evaluation factor worth 20% of the technical score. Vendors must demonstrate investment in Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities (WMD) businesses through subcontracting, spending, policies, and staffing diversity. The current contract, which expires on December 31, 2025, will transition to the new vendor with a unique payment structure where the incoming supplier will initially receive the same percentage of Net Terminal Income (NTI) as the incumbent (currently 0.92%) for connected VGTs. The RFP indicates a base annual NTI of $3,400,000,000, suggesting substantial potential revenue for the selected vendor. Prospective offerors must have extensive experience in technological system integration, cybersecurity, data management, and regulatory compliance within the gaming industry. The procurement requires vendors to be registered in the Illinois Procurement Gateway and comply with numerous state certifications and standard terms. While no specific budget cap is mentioned, the comprehensive nature of the system and the large number of VGTs suggest a multi-million dollar contract opportunity with potential for significant ongoing revenue based on the NTI percentage.