DMH/DD Sole Source Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) Training

The Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) Division of Mental Health intends to award a sole source contract to Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) for Nonviolent Crisis Intervention training and Advanced Physical Skills training across nine facilities, including mental health centers and schools for the deaf and visually impaired. The procurement is for a comprehensive behavior management system that provides intervention strategies to prevent, de-escalate, and safely respond to disruptive or assaultive behavior. Specific deliverables include training programs, work manuals, and annual fees covering cognitive and physical skills for staff to manage crisis situations using least restrictive interventions. The contract period will run from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, with a procurement bulletin posting date of January 15, 2025. Key deadlines include a January 24, 2025, 4:00 PM deadline for submitting written comments or requesting a public hearing, with a potential hearing scheduled for January 29, 2025, at 2:00 PM. The procurement is being conducted as a sole source award, with CPI determined to be the only viable provider due to their specialized training methods, copyright protection, and recognition by The Joint Commission.

The contract appears to have no specific set-aside designations or restrictions on responding organizations. CPI is the incumbent and sole source vendor, with approximately 40 certified instructors currently training 2,700 staff across all facilities. The agency conducted market research evaluating nine alternative vendors but determined CPI remained the only viable option due to their specialized training for mental health inpatient settings. The contract has an estimated value of $245,000, funded through state appropriated funds, which is consistent with previous fiscal year contracts (FY2024 at $225,000 and FY2025 at $249,000). CPI offers volume discounts, with over 60% of their customers being non-profit organizations, and the training will cover staff across all three shifts at facilities including Alton, Chester, Choate, Elgin, Madden, Packard, and Chicago-Read Mental Health Centers, as well as the Illinois School for the Visually Impaired and Illinois School for the Deaf.