Exempt Notice - DHS Exempt Procurement Report - August 2026

The Illinois Department of Human Services posted an exempt procurement report on September 8, 2026, disclosing a contract award under 30 ILCS 500/1-10(b) and 1-12(b) that exceeds the $100,000 annual-value reporting threshold. This is a compliance notice, not a bidding opportunity.

The Department awarded a contract to Beardstown Therapy Clinic for physical therapy services valued at $35,000, running from August 28, 2026 through June 30, 2027. The contract qualifies for exemption under the "Purchase of Care" provision, which permits DHS to directly procure certain care-related services without competitive bidding. The report notes that DHS invokes this exemption category most frequently to meet client needs and ensure service continuity when competitive procurement is impractical or unavailable.

The filing includes a reference guide documenting 19 categories of procurement exemptions applicable to Illinois state agencies, including purchases of care, real estate acquisitions, litigation preparation, assistive-technology accommodations, medical cannabis program implementation, and artistic services for state fair events. Questions regarding the exempt contract or reporting process are due by October 7, 2026.

This notice signals DHS's reliance on the Purchase of Care exemption and may indicate an open market for care-service vendors seeking direct awards without RFP competition.