PO26-060 Court Reporting and Transcription Services

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) is seeking a court reporting and transcription services vendor for administrative review cases and administrative hearings across Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, and Will Counties. The contract requires a certified shorthand court reporter to transcribe digital voice recordings, with an expected volume of approximately 175 administrative review complaints annually. Transcripts must be completed within 30 calendar days of initial request, with expedited delivery options including 10 working days, 5 working days, or 24-hour turnaround. The contract term will run from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, with services to be scheduled at the direction of the Department or Administrative Law Judge. Key qualifications include licensure as a certified shorthand reporter, ability to pass Illinois State Police Background Check, DCFS Child Abuse and Neglect Tracking System (CANTS) check, and Sexual Offender Registry (SOR) check. The proposal is due by July 21, 2025, with the opportunity originally posted on July 15, 2025. Subcontracting is expressly prohibited, and all services must be performed directly by the licensed and certified shorthand reporter.

The contract appears to have no specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises, though vendors must complete the Standard Illinois Certifications form which includes numerous compliance requirements related to non-discrimination and workplace practices. Vendor employees will be subject to extensive background screening, and strict confidentiality requirements mandate that no information or transcripts can be released to unauthorized parties. The total contract value will be specified in the BidBuy Purchase Order, with funding contingent upon appropriation availability. The contract includes provisions for termination for cause, convenience, and insufficient funding scenarios. Vendor responsibilities extend to maintaining comprehensive insurance coverage, adhering to state procurement standards, and complying with the detailed Standard Terms and Conditions outlined in the accompanying documentation. While no incumbent vendor is specifically identified, the contract represents a critical service procurement for administrative legal proceedings across multiple Illinois counties.