DES - FY27 Data Analytics

The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) is procuring data analytics services through a sole source contract award to RAH Analytics LLC under procurement identification B-52613. This engagement encompasses data warehouse operations enhancement, longitudinal record linking of quarterly wage files, and integration of multiple data sources to support Shared Data Agreements and customer-facing resources. Key deliverables include weekly UI claimant cohort files, quarterly legislative district reports, Legislative Data Dashboard production, quality validation of historical data files, and ongoing subject matter expert consultation on innovative workforce data applications. The contract period runs from June 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, with no renewal options. The procurement is justified as an economically feasible sole source award based on the vendor's irreplaceable system-specific knowledge of the Illinois State University-developed workforce data warehouse and the critical nature of maintaining uninterrupted operations to comply with intergovernmental agreements with the Illinois Board of Education and City Colleges of Chicago. A public hearing is scheduled for May 30, 2026, at 2:00 PM via WebEx; interested parties must submit written comments or request a public hearing by 4:00 PM on May 30, 2026, or the hearing will be cancelled. The notice of intent to award was posted on May 21, 2026, with a due date of June 4, 2026.

This is a sole source procurement restricted to RAH Analytics LLC, with no open competition or set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises. The incumbent vendor, Raysha Hutchins (owner of RAH Analytics LLC), has been providing emergency engagement services scheduled to expire on May 15, 2026, and this contract serves as a bridge until a newly proposed full-time Data Scientist position is filled, anticipated by June 2027. The contract requires integration with the existing Illinois State University-developed workforce data warehouse system and must maintain compatibility with current Shared Data Agreements and reporting infrastructure. The contract value is not to exceed $203,700, calculated at $97 per hour for 56 weeks at 37.5 hours per week, representing costs significantly below market rates for senior-level data scientists with labor economics expertise (typically $250–$450 per hour). The contract is funded through federal funds and represents a cost-avoidance strategy that prevents potential loss of federal reimbursements and grant funding while maintaining critical reporting compliance and operational continuity.