Laboratory Information Management System RFP

The Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT) and the Illinois Department of Public Health are seeking proposals for a comprehensive Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) modernization project to replace their current STARLIMS and paper-based systems. The procurement aims to implement a cloud-hosted solution that will support laboratory operations across three state locations in Springfield, Chicago, and Carbondale, with the goal of reducing paper reliance, improving efficiency, and enhancing instrument interfacing and report management. The new LIMS must support multiple testing domains including Arbovirus, Blood Lead, Enteric, Whole Genome Sequencing, and Influenza, with capabilities to manage specimen intake, sample tracking, test result processing, and comprehensive reporting. Vendors must demonstrate ability to interface with various laboratory equipment, support multiple web browsers, provide data encryption, and comply with HIPAA, NIST, and other federal and state regulations. The RFP includes a pre-submission conference scheduled for March 25, 2025, with proposal submissions due by April 17, 2025, and an expectation that the system will be fully deployed statewide within the initial twelve months of the contract. Evaluation will be based on technical capabilities, system functionality, compliance with use cases, and alignment with the detailed traceability matrix provided in the RFP documentation.

The procurement includes a Business Enterprise Program (BEP) goal of 10% for minority, women, and disabled-owned businesses, with vendors required to complete a Commitment to Diversity Vendor Answer Sheet demonstrating their engagement with diverse businesses. The contract will have an initial five-year term with potential renewal options for an additional five years. While no specific budget range was explicitly stated, the Price Workbook suggests a comprehensive pricing structure covering project management, implementation, data migration, training, SaaS provisioning, maintenance, and ongoing support. Vendors must be prepared to provide detailed pricing across multiple project phases, with costs tied to specific deliverables. The current system processed over one million samples in the 2020-2021 fiscal year, indicating the significant scale and importance of this laboratory information management system. Potential bidders must comply with extensive security requirements, including providing System Security Plans, risk assessments, and undergoing third-party security audits. Vendors will need to demonstrate robust capabilities in handling Protected Health Information (PHI) and meet stringent cybersecurity standards aligned with NIST 800-53 guidelines for moderate security categorization.