PO25-003 DCFS Sole Source Univ of Chicago Chapin Hall Research for Older Adolescents TP

The state of Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) is seeking to sole source a contract with the Chapin Hall Center for Children at the University of Chicago for a range of research, evaluation, continuous quality improvement, and implementation support services. The contract includes 21 projects across 14 areas such as evaluating models and interventions, providing data analytics and CQI support, and conducting strategic planning to help DCFS meet federal requirements, court consent decree obligations, and departmental goals. The contract term is for one year from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025, with no renewal options. The estimated value of the initial term is $5,078,500. DCFS has determined that Chapin Hall is the only vendor capable of providing the required services due to its proprietary data and systems, and that transitioning to a new vendor would be financially and operationally infeasible, as well as risk noncompliance with a federal consent decree governing DCFS operations.

This sole source contract opportunity is not subject to any set-aside designations or restrictions on the types of organizations that can respond. Chapin Hall has been the incumbent provider for these services over the past 10 years, with DCFS paying over $22 million during that time. The contract is required under a court order consent decree, so DCFS would be in violation if this sole source is not approved. No other budget ranges or award values are provided.