Illinois Library Cataloging and Resource Sharing OCLC Sole Source

The Illinois Secretary of State is entering into a sole source contract with OCLC for cataloging, resource sharing, and discovery services for almost 1,100 Illinois libraries of all types (public, school, academic, and special). The contract will provide statewide access to OCLC's extensive bibliographic records and global library holdings, including cataloging, interlibrary loan, and resource discovery services. An additional 1,500 libraries will also be granted access to the resource discovery services. The contract term is from July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2024, with no renewal options. The estimated contract value is $5,273,729, with annual subscription price increases limited to no more than 3% in each of the renewal years.

The Secretary of State has utilized OCLC's services for over 40 years, and the current subscription pricing program has been in place for 15 years. The state reviewed alternative services from Auto-Graphics and SkyRiver, but determined that OCLC's services are the only ones that can meet the requirements of Illinois libraries. There are no specified quantities, response dates, site visits, or bidder's meetings, as this is a sole source contract. The contract will be funded through the Secretary of State budget, and there is no information provided on any set-aside designations or restrictions on the types of organizations that can respond.