DBHR/DD Sole Source Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) Training

The Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS), Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery (DBHR), is pursuing a sole source procurement for Nonviolent Crisis Intervention (NCI) and Advanced Physical Skills training services from Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI). This procurement is designated for Fiscal Year 2027 and includes training delivery to nine state facilities: Alton Mental Health Center, Chester Mental Health Center, Choate Mental Health Center, Elgin Mental Health Center, Madden Mental Health Center, Packard Mental Health Center, Chicago-Read Mental Health Center, the Illinois School for the Visually Impaired, and the Illinois School for the Deaf. The training program is a behavior management system designed to equip staff with cognitive and physical skills to prevent, de-escalate, and safely respond to disruptive or assaultive behavior using the least restrictive intervention methods. Deliverables include instructor certification training (4 days for new instructors), biennial renewal training (2 days), annual fees for certified trainers, and work manuals. The contract term runs from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. Interested parties had until April 17, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. to submit written comments or request a public hearing, with the hearing scheduled for April 22, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. via WebEx. CPI was selected as the sole economically feasible source based on its exclusive offering of training specifically designed for mental health inpatient settings, comprehensive physical intervention techniques, and Joint Commission accreditation compliance.

This is a sole source procurement with no competitive bidding process; therefore, no set-asides for disadvantaged enterprises or restrictions on organizational types apply. CPI has served as the incumbent contractor since Fiscal Year 2024, with previous contract values of $225,000 (FY24), $249,000 (FY25), and $255,000 (FY26). The State of Illinois determined that switching vendors would be cost-prohibitive, as over 2,700 staff members across the nine facilities have already been trained in CPI methodology, and vendor changes could jeopardize Joint Commission compliance and result in loss of federal funding. Alternative vendors evaluated—including MANDT, APT-USA, Relias, QBS, AIU8, SAMA, CRTI, FAAC'S, and CEBC—were deemed insufficient due to lack of comprehensive physical intervention techniques and mental health facility specialization. The estimated contract value for the initial term is $278,852.80, comprised of renewal instructor training ($71,021.00), new instructor training ($101,983.00), annual fees ($9,200.00), and manuals ($96,648.80), funded entirely through state funds. CPI offers a 3.5% volume discount on manuals and discounted pricing for renewing instructors.