Exempt Notice-AGR-Exempt Procurement Report-September 2025

The state of Illinois is issuing an Exempt Procurement Report for October 2025, focusing on a series of specialized contract opportunities exempt from standard procurement processes. The report details six distinct contracts across various state agencies, utilizing specific exemption codes under the Illinois Procurement Code (30 ILCS 500/1-10(b)). Notable procurements include an Illinois FFA Membership program for high school students valued at $550,000, booth space procurement for international trade shows like ANUGA Food Show and Natural Products Expo West, and significant horse racing contracts with Hawthorne Horse Racing. The procurement opportunity covers contract periods ranging from October 2024 to June 2026, with exemption rationales primarily centered on trade show participation (Section 1-10(b)(14)) and public announcements (Section 1-10(b)(23)). The submission deadline for this exempt procurement report is October 22, 2025, with the opportunity initially posted on October 9, 2025.

While the documentation does not explicitly outline set-aside designations or specific vendor restrictions, the contracts demonstrate flexibility in procurement for state agencies. The Hawthorne Horse Racing contracts represent the most substantial financial commitments, with $3,932,959.99 allocated for thoroughbred horse racing and an additional $900,000 for purse supplementation. The procurement approach allows state agencies to bypass standard competitive bidding processes for specific circumstances, such as trade show participation and specialized program support. No incumbent vendor information is explicitly detailed, and the contracts appear to cover diverse programmatic needs across agriculture, educational, and entertainment sectors. The total contract values suggest a comprehensive approach to supporting state-sponsored initiatives through strategic procurement exemptions, with contract values ranging from $550,000 to nearly $4 million.