Court Reporting /Transcription Services for Chicago and Springfield

The Illinois Commerce Commission is seeking court reporting and transcription services for its Transportation and Public Utilities Bureaus, with services required in two primary locations: Springfield (Sangamon County) and Chicago (Cook County). The procurement (Contract B-48765) calls for certified court reporters to provide verbatim transcription services, including attendance at Commission hearings, meetings, and public forums, with the option to provide transcriptions from audio recordings when on-site attendance is not possible. Vendors must deliver certified stenographic transcripts compliant with Section 10-102 of the Illinois Public Utilities Act, with services potentially performed virtually via approved online platforms or in person. Key qualifications include certification through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, minimum two years of experience serving at least three clients, and maintenance of an account with the ICC's eDocket system. Deliverables must be submitted within ten business days (standard) or expedited timeframes, meeting a minimum 97% accuracy threshold. The non-mandatory pre-submission conference is scheduled for October 28, 2025, at 10:00 CST via WebEx, with electronic bid submissions required through BidBuy by November 4, 2025. Bids must remain firm for 90 days from opening, with awards made separately to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for each service category.

This procurement is designated as a small business set-aside, exclusively available to Illinois businesses registered and active in the Illinois Small Business Set-Aside Program through the Illinois Procurement Gateway (IPG) at the time of bid opening. Vendors must have "Yes" marked under Classifications - Small Business Set-Aside Program to be eligible, with registration free for qualifying Illinois small businesses. The contract has an initial twelve-month term, with a maximum total contract term not exceeding ten years including potential renewals and extensions. No subcontractors are permitted, and vendors must provide quarterly performance reports subject to ICC monitoring. While a specific total contract value is not guaranteed, pricing is structured on a per-page basis for transcripts, with hourly appearance fees detailed in the BidBuy Purchase Order. In-person appearances carry a two-hour minimum charge with fifteen-minute billing increments, and virtual appearances have a one-hour minimum. Mileage is reimbursable at GSA rates when travel exceeds sixty miles, capped at $100 per engagement. Cancellation fees vary based on notice timing, with no fees for cancellations more than 24 hours in advance and increasing fees for shorter notice periods.