FY27-31 Child Care Services - Willard Ice Building

The State of Illinois Department of Revenue is procuring child care services for the Willard Ice Building through a Request for Proposals (RFP) with a contract term spanning fiscal years 2027 through 2031. The selected vendor will be responsible for providing comprehensive child care services at the specified location, including the development and implementation of a learning curriculum that incorporates Development Standard Benchmarks from the Illinois State Board of Education's Early Learning Standards. The vendor's responsibilities encompass facility management related to telecommunications utilities (internet and cable services) while maintaining compliance with state early learning standards and educational requirements. Evaluation criteria include technical competency, pricing, and a Commitment to Diversity (C2D) component that accounts for 20% of the technical score and assesses vendors' commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion practices across six categories: Business Enterprise Program (BEP) goal compliance, subcontracting with women, minority, and disability-owned businesses (WMDB), diversity spending as a percentage of gross revenue, time dedicated to DEI initiatives, written DEI policies, and diversity representation in staffing. The deadline for vendor questions is January 22, 2026, at close of business, with proposals due on February 13, 2026. Prospective vendors must submit completed Commitment to Diversity forms with supporting documentation, technical bids, and pricing proposals through the BidBuy system.

The procurement includes set-aside considerations through the Commitment to Diversity evaluation framework, which encourages vendors to increase investment in women, minority, and disability-owned businesses and demonstrate meaningful DEI commitments. The C2D evaluation requires vendors to provide comprehensive verification documentation, including contracts, receipts, timesheets, event materials, policy documentation, and staffing diversity metrics, with all documents submitted as a separate required attachment labeled "Commitment to Diversity." Vendors must also complete vendor disclosure forms, including the Active Registered Vendor Disclosure and general vendor disclosure documentation, to demonstrate compliance with state procurement requirements. While specific budget allocations or award values are not explicitly stated in the available documentation, the multi-year contract structure (FY27-31) suggests a significant service agreement requiring substantial operational capacity and compliance infrastructure. Two bid amendments have been issued to clarify contract requirements regarding utility responsibilities and curriculum standards, indicating the State's commitment to precision in vendor expectations. Interested vendors should review all RFP documents, job aids, and C2D guidance materials to ensure complete understanding of submission requirements and evaluation criteria before the February 13, 2026, proposal deadline.