FY25 - Spring Training Mower Operator Safety Training (TMOST)

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) are seeking a vendor to provide a comprehensive Tractor Mower Operator Safety Training (TMOST) program for fiscal year 2025. The procurement is a statewide training initiative targeting right-of-way maintenance workers, consisting of a 10-day course across nine Illinois locations from March 24 to April 4, 2025. Each full-day (7-hour) session will combine classroom instruction and hands-on equipment training, accommodating 30 participants per class in locations including Carbondale, Waterloo, Springfield, Effingham, Roanoke, East Peoria, Moline, Ottawa, and Saint Charles. The training must follow Association of Equipment Manufacturers guidelines and cover safe equipment operation practices, with instructors required to have a minimum of 10 years safety training experience, OSHA authorization, and National Association of Safety Professionals certification. Deliverables include workbooks, personal protective equipment, completion certificates, and pre/post-course testing. The proposal due date is March 7, 2025, with vendors required to submit pricing through the BidBuy Purchase Order system and provide documentation of past course offerings and trainer qualifications.

The procurement does not explicitly specify set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises, though the standard Illinois certifications document suggests potential compliance requirements related to diversity and equal opportunity. Vendors must complete 33 standard certifications covering areas such as environmental compliance, labor regulations, and ethical standards. While no incumbent vendors are identified, the contract appears structured to be awarded to a single vendor capable of delivering training across all nine locations. The training will utilize IDOT-provided equipment and facilities, with no specific budget range disclosed in the documents. Contractors must provide comprehensive, all-inclusive pricing covering salary, benefits, travel, insurance, overhead, and equipment expenses. Additional requirements include $1 million in general liability insurance and compliance with prevailing wage laws. The contract is contingent upon fund appropriation by the Illinois General Assembly, with potential termination provisions allowing the state to cancel the contract with 30 days' notice.