DHS Murray Emergency Notice for Coal

The State of Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) is seeking an emergency procurement for approximately 2,000 tons of coal to be delivered to the Murray Developmental Center, located in Madison County. This emergency purchase is critical to ensure continuous heat and electricity for the facility, which is experiencing extremely low coal supplies due to a contract renewal lapse. The procurement is being conducted through an emergency purchase process, with Knight Hawk Coal identified as the sole vendor capable of immediate delivery in the area. The emergency contract has a 90-day duration, with the procurement officially posted on August 29, 2024, and a final due date of November 29, 2024. The total estimated cost for this emergency coal delivery is $134,000, which will be funded through state appropriated funds. While the procurement process is expedited due to the emergency nature, the State of Illinois Chief Procurement Office for General Services is overseeing the transaction to ensure compliance with procurement regulations.

The emergency purchase opportunity does not appear to have specific set-aside designations or extensive restrictions on potential vendors. While there was potential for 13% Business Enterprise Program (BEP) participation, the selected vendor (Knight Hawk Coal) declined when offered. The procurement is focused exclusively on coal delivery and does not seem to require complex vendor qualifications beyond the ability to provide immediate coal supply. The emergency nature of the contract suggests that typical competitive bidding processes have been bypassed to address an urgent operational need at the Murray Developmental Center. Funding for the $134,000 contract will come from state appropriated funds, indicating this is a direct government procurement without external grant or alternative funding sources. The emergency purchase is specifically designed to prevent service interruption at a critical human services facility by ensuring a continuous supply of coal for heating and electricity generation.