DHS SP SS DBHR FY27 Illinois 988 Improvement Project

The Department of Human Services/Division of Mental Health (DHS/DBHR) is pursuing a small purchase procurement with sole source conditions to contract with Dr. Amy Watson for the Illinois 988 Improvement Project. The primary service required is consulting and reporting on progress toward the goals and objectives established in the Illinois 988 Improvement Project, with deliverables including periodic reviews of performance data reported to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and comprehensive assessments of project progress to inform improved project management. The contractor must maintain ongoing evaluation of performance metrics and provide regular progress reports to support the State's management of the initiative. The posting was made on April 23, 2026, with a proposal due date of April 27, 2026, providing a four-day submission window. While specific qualifications are not detailed in the available documentation, the nature of the work suggests expertise in mental health services data analysis, SAMHSA reporting requirements, and 988 suicide and crisis lifeline program operations is expected. The contract is contingent upon appropriation of funds by the Illinois General Assembly, and the State reserves the right to terminate for convenience with thirty days' notice or for cause immediately upon performance or funding issues.

The procurement does not indicate specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises, though a standard Illinois $15 minority contractor initiative fee applies to contracts exceeding $1,000 and will be deducted from the first invoice payment. The sole source nature of this procurement limits competition and suggests Dr. Amy Watson possesses unique qualifications or prior experience essential to the project's success. All work products generated under the contract will be treated as work for hire with exclusive ownership vesting in the State of Illinois. Contractor compliance with Standard Illinois Certifications is mandatory, encompassing requirements related to educational loan defaults, criminal history disclosures, drug-free workplace standards, equal employment opportunity compliance, Illinois information technology accessibility standards, and anti-competitive practice certifications. The specific contract value or budget range is not disclosed in the available procurement documents. Invoices must be submitted by July 31 annually for work completed through June 30, and vendors must maintain full compliance with all prevailing wage and prompt payment requirements under the Illinois Prompt Payment Act.