CHANGE ORDER NOTICE - DHS Communication Services

The Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS), through the Chief Procurement Office for General Services, is issuing a change order notice to increase an existing contract by $3.5 million for continuation of public communications campaigns supporting the Illinois Office to Prevent and End Homelessness (OPEH), with proposals due August 24, 2026.

The scope expands two existing 988 marketing and communications campaigns under original Purchase Order 22-444DHS-PROCU-P-35674 (Bid 27-444DHS-MENTH-B-53509). Work includes diversifying 988 awareness campaigns with focused outreach to communities at highest risk for self-harm and suicide, including youth athletes, and geographic areas with the lowest current awareness levels. The contractor is DCC, the incumbent under the original contract.

The contract increase is $3.5 million and is driven by remaining federal SAMHSA 988 grant funds that must be deployed before the end of the grant cycle. The change order qualifies for 14-day posting under Section 33E-9 of the Criminal Code because the increase exceeds $25,000. DHS determined that DCC's existing campaign infrastructure and immediate execution capacity make it the most effective vehicle for utilizing the remaining federal allocation rather than redirecting resources to 988 Lifeline Contact Centers, which confirmed inability to absorb the additional allocation at the current grant stage. The funds support the state's Community Emergency Services and Supports Act (CESSA) compliance efforts by strengthening the integrated 911, 988, and mobile crisis response system.