FY27-30 IDOR Cigarette Tax Stamps IFB

The Illinois Department of Revenue is soliciting bids for a four-year contract to print and deliver serialized and heat-applied cigarette tax stamps covering the period July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2030. The Department estimates annual requirements of 350-450 cases per year, totaling approximately 270 million stamps annually or 1,080,000,000 stamps over the initial four-year term. Stamps must be produced using heat-applied gravure process or equivalent method at a minimum operating rate of 60 cartons per minute, packaged in rolls of 30,000 stamps with 25 rolls per case totaling 750,000 stamps per case, and include five-layer impressions with safety tint lettering, two or more distinctive colors, unique security features, and serial numbering. Bidders must submit ten sample stamp designs, three laminated paper samples postmarked no later than March 2, 2026, along with a confidential security statement and emergency contingency plan. The successful vendor must supply and maintain 25 functional readers throughout the contract term, comply with extensive production and security requirements including production worksheets, inventory controls, linear footage meters, and Department inspections, and perform all work within its own premises with no subcontracting permitted. All bid prices shall be submitted on a per-thousand-stamps basis, F.O.B. destination with freight prepaid, including manufacturing, original drawings, engravings, heat application guns, 25 functional readers, and delivery costs. The State will evaluate bids based on responsiveness, responsibility, and price, with award going to the lowest priced responsive and responsible bidder, and bids must remain firm for 180 days from opening.

No set-asides, minority business preferences, women-owned business preferences, or other special contractor preferences are indicated for this procurement; however, the solicitation requires vendors to affirmatively declare if proposed products are manufactured in the United States, with preference given to domestically manufactured products. Bidders must certify they are independent printing contractors not affiliated with any Illinois licensed cigarette distributor and must comply with prevailing wage requirements for printing services. The solicitation documents reference specialty paper replenishment procurement details and indicate that incumbent supplier information is available for vendor review in BidBuy systems, though no specific incumbent vendor name is disclosed in the available materials. Vendors must submit either a Vendor Disclosure form or an IPG Active Registered Vendor Disclosure form demonstrating compliance with Illinois procurement requirements, conflict-of-interest certifications, and forced labor prohibition statutes. A $15 administrative fee applies to any awarded contract valued at $1,000 or more under the Minority Contractor Opportunity Initiative, to be deducted from the first payment. While no specific budget range is provided in the solicitation, the estimated volume of 1,080,000,000 stamps over four years at per-thousand-stamp pricing suggests a substantial contract value, with pricing to be firm throughout the initial four-year term with no economic adjustments specified unless renewal pricing incorporates a different formula.