Certification Supportive for Districts 7 - 9 - RFP

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is seeking a vendor to provide Certification Supportive Services for Highway Districts 7 through 9, focusing on technical assistance and outreach to Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) firms. The selected vendor will assist DBE firms with certification processes, work category expansion, and provide training presentations. Key requirements include having an office location within the specified districts and a project manager with a minimum of 3 years of experience in IDOT's DBE program. The initial contract term is 2 years, with an option to renew for an additional 2 years. Proposals must be submitted electronically through the State's BidBuy system by November 20, 2024. The evaluation will be comprehensive, with 80% of the total score based on technical requirements and 20% on pricing, requiring a minimum technical score of 650 points to advance to the pricing evaluation. Vendors must demonstrate expertise in DBE certification, small business development, and federal regulations.

The procurement has a significant focus on DBE participation, with a 27% DBE participation goal for this non-construction services contract. Vendors must submit a detailed DBE Utilization Plan showing how they will meet or make good faith efforts to achieve the participation goal. The contract includes specific requirements for reporting, with quarterly FHWA reports due on January 15, April 15, July 15, and October 15, tracking assistance provided to DBE firms. Vendors must complete multiple state-required disclosure forms, including the Illinois Procurement Gateway Active Registered Vendor Disclosure and Vendor Disclosure forms, which require detailed information about the business, potential conflicts of interest, and compliance with state laws. While the pricing table in the documents shows zero-dollar values, this appears to be a placeholder, and the actual contract value is not explicitly stated. The procurement is structured to maximize opportunities for disadvantaged businesses while ensuring comprehensive support for DBE firms in Illinois' transportation-related construction industry.