DHS - Emergency Coal for Choate and Murray Centers

The State of Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) has issued an emergency purchase to procure coal for the Choate Center and Murray Center. The emergency arises from the bankruptcy of the current contract vendor, leaving the centers with critically low coal supplies needed to provide heat and electricity. DHS has selected vendor Knight Hawk LLC to provide a 90-day supply of coal, purchased in approximately 25-ton truckloads, at an estimated cost of $415,400. DHS is preparing a competitive solicitation to secure a new long-term coal contract before the emergency supply is exhausted. The emergency purchase is necessary to prevent serious disruption to critical state services affecting health and safety, as the Choate and Murray Centers rely on coal to operate. Funding will come from state appropriated funds, and DHS expects to complete the competitive procurement process and award a new long-term contract before the end of the 90-day emergency term.

This emergency purchase is limited to the state of Illinois and specifically to the jurisdiction of Jefferson County. No set-aside designations or restrictions on the types of organizations that can respond are mentioned. The current contractor, Knight Hawk LLC, is listed as the emergency vendor, but there is no information provided about any incumbent vendors or existing infrastructure. The contract value is estimated at $415,400 for the 90-day emergency term.