PO22-003 DCFS Sole Source Univ of Chicago Chapin Hall Research for Older Adolescents

This is a notice of intent to award a sole source contract from the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) to Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago for multiple research projects focused on older adolescents. The contract, identified as PO22-003, has an estimated value of $3,176,235.90 for the term of July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022, with no renewal options. The research services to be provided by Chapin Hall include evaluations of various DCFS programs and pilots, data analytics, and support for the agency's efforts to improve safety, permanence, intact services, and well-being for youth in care. DCFS has justified the sole source award on the grounds that Chapin Hall has maintained the necessary longitudinal data and databases that would be extremely costly and time-consuming for another provider to replicate. The hearing on the sole source award will be held virtually via Webex on May 12, 2021 at 2:00 PM CST and will be canceled if no interested party submits written comments or requests a public hearing by the deadline of May 7, 2021 at 4 PM.

This is a sole source award, so there is no competitive procurement process. DCFS has determined Chapin Hall's pricing to be fair and reasonable, representing the best value for the state, and has noted that failure to approve the sole source would jeopardize the agency's compliance with the B.H. Consent Decree and its ability to meet federal requirements, potentially subjecting the state to fines and other consequences. No set-aside designations or restrictions on the types of organizations that can respond are mentioned, and no incumbent vendors or current contractors are identified.