ISVI Monarch Braille Devices

The Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS), specifically the Illinois School for the Visually Impaired (ISVI), is seeking to procure ten (10) Monarch Dynamic Tactile and Multi-Line Braille Tablets for classroom use at their facility located at 658 East State St., Jacksonville, IL 62650. This procurement is structured as an Invitation for Bid (IFB) with solicitation number B-47182, to be electronically submitted through BidBuy with bids due on a date specified in the BidBuy posting. The contract will have an initial term commencing upon final signature and ending on 06/30/2025, with all devices required to be received and invoiced by that date. Evaluation criteria will focus on responsiveness, vendor responsibility, and lowest overall total price, with bids required to remain firm for 90 days from opening. No substitutions will be accepted, and the agency reserves the right to adjust quantity based on pricing and budget considerations. Vendors must comply with comprehensive requirements including general commercial liability insurance of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 annual aggregate, and adhere to state technology accessibility standards.

The procurement includes provisions for small business set-asides and encourages participation from vendors who hire qualified veterans and certain ex-offenders, who may be eligible for tax credits. Bidders must be registered in the Illinois Small Business Set-Aside Program if applicable, with specific subcontracting limitations for awarded small businesses. Vendors are required to complete extensive documentation, including a Vendor Disclosure form, Offer to the State of Illinois Information and Technology forms, and a Business Enterprise Program/Veterans Small Business Program Utilization Plan. While a specific budget range is not explicitly stated, the procurement may be partially or totally funded with federal funds, and the state emphasizes the use of domestic products. The contract requires vendors to meet rigorous compliance standards, including background check protocols, data security requirements, and adherence to various state and federal regulations such as the Illinois Personal Information Protection Act and NIST security control baselines. Potential vendors must also disclose business operations, political contributions, and any potential conflicts of interest as part of the comprehensive vetting process.