IFB CCS

The Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) is conducting an Invitation for Bid (IFB) for a Central Communications System (CCS) to support the state's video gaming infrastructure. The procurement seeks a vendor to design, develop, implement, operate, and maintain a comprehensive system that will connect and monitor approximately 48,400 video gaming terminals across 8,700 locations throughout Illinois. The system must provide 24/7 support for regulatory monitoring, with capabilities to support a minimum of 120,000 VGTs and 16,000 licensed establishments, including real-time communication, comprehensive reporting, and remote terminal activation/deactivation functionalities. The contract term is ten years, with a required transition and upgrade plan to transfer data and hardware by December 31, 2027. Evaluation will be conducted on a lowest estimated price basis, calculating total fees per year over the entire contract term. Vendors must submit bids electronically through BidBuy by November 20, 2025, with all questions to be submitted in writing to Joe Miller, Director of Policy, no later than 12 PM on November 13, 2025. Bids must remain firm for 90 days from the opening date.

The solicitation contains specific vendor restrictions, requiring bidders to be a manufacturer, distributor, or supplier licensee under the Illinois Video Gaming Act, Illinois Sports Wagering Act, or Illinois Gambling Act. The primary CCS site must be hosted in Illinois, with secondary sites located within the United States, and all services must be performed domestically unless explicitly approved otherwise. Vendors are prohibited from subcontracting, and must meet mandatory staffing requirements including a Project Manager, Functional Manager, and Technical/Software Configuration/Development Manager, each with a minimum of two years of industry experience. The procurement includes comprehensive security requirements, mandating vendors provide annual SOC 1 and SOC 2 Type 2 reports, conduct third-party penetration testing, and maintain encryption standards. While a specific budget is not explicitly stated, the pricing workbook references an estimated annual Net Terminal Income of $3.4 billion, with vendors required to propose percentage-based fees for each of the ten contract years. An administrative fee of $15 will be deducted from the first payment for contracts valued at $1,000 or more, and the resulting contract may be partially or fully funded with federal funds.