DES - RFP - RESEA Training FY26

The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) issued a Request for Proposal on March 20, 2026, with proposals due April 28, 2026, seeking consultant services to develop and deliver professional development training for RESEA (Re-Employment Services and Eligibility Assessment) program staff. The procurement aims to improve employment services quality and reemployment outcomes for UI claimants. The selected vendor must develop and deliver comprehensive training covering resume development, interview preparation, networking skills, online application system navigation, and individualized services for specific populations, as well as provide train-the-trainer services to approximately 60-70 IDES staff and 15-20 managers through combined in-person sessions in Central and Northern Illinois locations and virtual sessions via WebEx. Training must commence no later than six months from contract execution and conclude within 20 months, with a total contract term of 24 months with no renewal options. Mandatory qualifications require at least one team member with five years of experience developing and delivering professional development training for publicly-funded employment services programs and specific experience with WIOA Title I/III or RESEA programs. All training materials developed become IDES property and must include training outlines, activities, facilitator guides, and virtual training recordings. Evaluation criteria consist of three independent components: technical requirements (100 points, weighted 60% on experience, 20% on facilitation guide content, and 20% on project team qualifications), commitment to diversity (20 points), and pricing (30 points), totaling 150 available points. The question deadline is April 1, 2026 at 4:00 PM, with submission required electronically through BidBuy.

This procurement is not designated as a small business set-aside, and vendors of all sizes may compete. However, the RFP includes substantial commitment to diversity evaluation criteria requiring vendors to demonstrate Business Enterprise Program (BEP) goal compliance, document subcontracting and contracting history with women, minority, and disability-owned businesses (WMDBs), provide evidence of DEI spending and community engagement activities, maintain written DEI policies, and demonstrate diversity representation across governing boards, management, senior executives, and staff. All vendors must complete comprehensive vendor disclosure forms and certifications addressing compliance with state and federal requirements, including anti-discrimination provisions, cybersecurity directives, confidentiality obligations under Section 1900 of the Illinois Unemployment Insurance Act, and federal funding compliance requirements under 2 CFR Parts 200 and 2900 and WIOA regulations. The selected vendor must integrate with OneNet, Illinois Central Management Services' existing learning management system, for training delivery and compliance tracking. The contract may be partially or wholly funded with federal funds, with the funding percentage to be disclosed upon notice of intent to award. While specific budget or award values are not disclosed in the solicitation documents, vendors must submit firm, fixed pricing through BidBuy's Items Tab with no separate pricing document required and no expenses allowed unless accompanied by proof of tax liability.