EXEMPT NOTICE-OSS-IL State Fair-Raptor/Birds of Prey Exhibit

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources, specifically the Office of Strategic Solutions, State Parks, and World Shooting Recreational Complex, is procuring a Raptor/Birds of Prey Exhibit for the Illinois State Fair Conservation World, located in Sangamon County. This appears to be a direct procurement opportunity involving the World Bird Sanctuary (WBS Education) as the primary vendor. The exhibit will focus on educational programming featuring birds of prey, with the procurement process currently in the final administrative stages of contract execution. The contract opportunity was posted on August 6, 2025, with a response deadline of August 20, 2025. The procurement involves standard terms and conditions that have been reviewed and confirmed by the vendor, with Nicholas A. Bearss serving as the Procurement Administrator responsible for managing the contract. The exhibit's specific objectives include providing an educational experience about raptors and birds of prey to state fair attendees, though detailed service requirements were not explicitly outlined in the available documentation.

Based on the available information, there are no explicit set-aside designations or restrictions on vendor participation mentioned in the contract documents. The World Bird Sanctuary appears to be the incumbent or sole-source vendor for this specific exhibit, suggesting a potential sole-source or direct procurement approach. No specific budget ranges or award values were disclosed in the provided materials. The procurement seems to be a direct agreement between the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and WBS Education, with standard terms and conditions forming the basis of the contractual relationship. The vendor has demonstrated qualification through its educational expertise in raptor programming and has formally acknowledged the state's standard contractual terms. While precise financial details are not available, the contract appears to be for an educational exhibit service at the Illinois State Fair, with the World Bird Sanctuary providing specialized knowledge and live raptor demonstrations as part of the Conservation World programming.