ISAC - 2027 Education Matters (EM) Conference venue

The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) is soliciting quotes under RFQ Bid# 27-691ISAC-GENCO-B-54834 for a single venue and catering vendor for its 2027 Education Matters Conference, with quotes due November 19, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. through BidBuy. The vendor must provide a facility within 25 miles of Tinley Park, Illinois, and must deliver all services directly, as no subcontracting or third-party vendors are permitted.

The event is scheduled for Thursday, July 15, 2027, from 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., for up to 600 attendees, with setup access the day prior. Required spaces include one main ballroom with round tables for 8-10 people, ten breakout rooms with theater-style seating for 75 each, a 16,000-square-foot exhibit space with high-top tables, and a registration entry room. The facility must supply 14 projectors, 14 screens, 15 microphones, 11 podiums, 14 power strips, all cables, complimentary Wi-Fi with guest sign-in, and complimentary parking for 600 vehicles. Catering includes a continental breakfast buffet with coffee and juice and a lunch buffet with pizza and pasta, with vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options at both meals. The vendor provides food service and cleanup.

Pricing must be itemized across room rental, food and beverage, audiovisual equipment, and setup fees, with a grand total. Quotes must remain valid for 30 days from submission and include shipping and handling, with no later increases. Any price decreases pass to the agency. ISAC may award on lowest price by item or by total, reject any or all offers, and waive minor defects. Vendors must certify compliance with 34 mandatory Standard Illinois Certifications (v.26.2), which apply to the primary contractor and all subcontractors, and false statements expose vendors to liability under the Illinois False Claims Act. The Standard Terms and Conditions (v23.2) require general commercial liability insurance of $1 million per occurrence and $2 million annual aggregate, a $15 Minority Contractor Initiative fee on contracts exceeding $1,000, prevailing wage for applicable service categories, and records retention of three years, or five years if federal funds are used. Federal funding may partially or fully support the contract, with the percentage disclosed in award notices. The State holds work-for-hire ownership of work product, may terminate for convenience on 30 days' notice, and all contract records are subject to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act. ISAC approves all media releases that mention the organization.

Questions and clarifications route to Phyllis Wiley at the ISAC office in Deerfield, Illinois. The RFQ and attached terms were posted November 10, 2026.