EMERGENCY NOTICE: AGR-EGG/MPI/LW-5 Mavericks and 4 Escapes

The Illinois Department of Agriculture has executed an emergency purchase under Section 20-30(d) of the Illinois Procurement Code for five Ford Mavericks Hybrid (with bed covers) and four Ford Escape Hybrid vehicles (2026 model year), with contract award on June 1, 2026 and total expenditure of $336,020.

The emergency procurement method was invoked because field inspector staff across the Bureaus of Meat and Poultry Inspection, Eggs, Animal Health and Welfare, and Land and Water Inspection grew significantly while thirteen vehicles were retired due to mechanical failure. The department's over 100 inspectors travel throughout Illinois conducting facility and farm inspections, with individual inspectors traveling more than 1,000 miles monthly. Landmark Ford Auto of Springfield, Illinois was selected as sole vendor after the department contacted multiple vendors seeking the specified quantity and models on expedited basis. Landmark was one of only two vendors with thirteen vehicles available on lot at reasonable price and could deliver within the compressed timeframe.

The department searched for Business Enterprise Program vendors under NIGP code 071-92 but identified only two vendors offering non-emergency medical transportation services rather than vehicle sales, and thus found no qualifying BEP participation. An active state motor vehicle contract existed; however, the F-150 trucks offered under that contract were not hybrid models and would have required a motor vehicle exemption form, while the Escape cutoff date had already passed. The purchase was funded through state sources and authorized by SPSA Michelle Grimsley on June 2, 2026.

This is a completed emergency sole-source award, not an open solicitation.