JPMC Casual Footwear

The State of Illinois, specifically the Central Management Services (CMS) Bureau of Strategic Sourcing (BOSS), is issuing an Invitation for Bid (IFB) for a Joint Purchase Master Contract (JPMC) to procure casual footwear for governmental units and qualified not-for-profit agencies. The contract will establish a procurement vehicle for ordering casual footwear on an as-needed basis, with a minimum order requirement of $750 for F.O.B. Destination delivery. The initial contract term is four years, with a maximum total term not exceeding ten years. Vendors can propose product substitutions if items become discontinued, subject to CMS BOSS approval, and pricing will utilize a Producer Price Index (PPI) methodology for potential adjustments. A pre-bid conference is scheduled for August 13, 2025, at 10:00 am CST via Webex, where potential bidders can discuss procurement requirements and learn about the Business Enterprise Program (BEP) goals. The bid submission deadline is August 26, 2025, with bids required to remain firm for 180 days from opening, and electronic submissions must be made through the BidBuy platform.

The procurement includes a 6% Business Enterprise Program (BEP) participation goal, targeting specific NIGP codes for various types of footwear including athletic shoes, casual shoes, and orthopedic support footwear. The State intends to award a single contract to the lowest-priced responsive and responsible bidder, with a focus on supporting minority, women-owned, and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses. Vendors must submit a comprehensive BEP Utilization Plan, Vendor Disclosure form, and Offer to the State of Illinois Contract, with potential consequences for non-compliance including bid disqualification. The contract emphasizes diversity and inclusion, with aspirational goals of awarding at least 30% of total contract dollar amounts to businesses certified as owned and controlled by minorities, women, and persons with disabilities, and at least 3% to service-disabled veteran-owned and veteran-owned small businesses. While specific award values are not explicitly stated, the contract allows for potential pricing adjustments and is contingent on fund availability, with the state reserving the right to terminate the contract if appropriate funding is not secured.