NG & CT Nucleic Acid Amplification Assay, Instrumentation, and Testing Supplies

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is issuing an Invitation for Bid (IFB) solicitation number 26-482DPH-OFCDI-B-50488 for a fully automated nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT) platform capable of simultaneously detecting Neisseria gonorrhea (NG) and Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) from multiple specimen types including vaginal, endocervical, throat, and rectal swabs, as well as urine specimens. The instrumentation and associated testing supplies will be centrally located at the IDPH Carbondale Laboratory (1155 South Oakland Avenue, Carbondale, IL 62901) to support IDPH's sexually transmitted infection prevention and surveillance programs. The awarded vendor must provide a complete, reagent-rental style solution including FDA-cleared or FDA-approved instrumentation, preventative maintenance, calibration, software licenses, training, shipping, installation, and validation support. IDPH estimates annual test volumes of 25,000 tests each for NG and CT and 30,000 collection kits per year, though these figures are estimates only and do not guarantee purchase quantities. The initial contract term is five years from the last dated signature with options to renew for up to five additional years in any combination of full or partial year renewals, resulting in a maximum total contract term of ten years. Vendors must submit bids electronically through the BidBuy platform with all required documentation including vendor disclosures and offers to the State of Illinois by the deadline of February 25, 2026, and all written questions must be submitted within fifteen days of the bid published date of January 14, 2026. Award will be made to the lowest priced responsive and responsible bidder whose bid meets all specified criteria, with instrumentation installation and validation required within 90 days of contract execution and on-site training within 10 business days of installation.

There is no Business Enterprise Program (BEP) goal or set-aside designation for this procurement, meaning all qualified vendors are eligible to bid regardless of ownership status or disadvantaged enterprise classification. The contract prohibits subcontracting entirely, requiring all services to be performed in the United States at the Carbondale Laboratory location, and vendors must comply with Illinois prevailing wage requirements where applicable. Bidders must possess general commercial liability insurance of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 annual aggregate, auto liability insurance of $1,000,000 per occurrence, and workers' compensation insurance as required by law. Pricing must be submitted as firm, fixed-price per test kit with all ancillary costs including instrumentation rental, maintenance, parts, shipping, and support services included in the per-kit fee, with no additional charges or penalties applied for volume variances from estimated quantities and renewal pricing remaining at the same rate as the initial contract term. The contract may be partially or wholly funded with federal funds, with the funding percentage and dollar amounts to be disclosed upon notice of award, and a $15 administrative fee is required for any contract awarded at $1,000 or more under the Illinois Procurement Code. No specific budget range or award value is provided in the solicitation documents, as the State of Illinois retains the right to terminate the contract for convenience with thirty days' notice without penalty and may terminate for cause immediately if performance jeopardizes health, safety, or property.