SBE-AU084-School Nutrition Training Conference

The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) is seeking a venue to host the 2025 School Nutrition Programs Annual Training, a two-day event scheduled for Monday, June 16th (half day) and Tuesday, June 17th (full day) in 2025. The procurement is a Request for Quote (RFQ) targeting venues located in Champaign/Urbana, Bloomington/Normal, or Peoria that can accommodate 300 participants on the first day and up to 650 on the second day. Required venue capabilities include providing registration tables, meeting spaces, breakout rooms, audiovisual equipment, high-speed internet, presentation screens, podiums, and microphones for all sessions. The vendor must also provide catering services, specifically a boxed lunch with meat and vegetarian options for the full-day session. Evaluation criteria will likely include venue capabilities, location, cost, and ability to meet all specified technical requirements. The RFQ requires a comprehensive quote with all costs included in one final total, with pricing to remain valid for 30 days from submission. The contract term will run from execution through June 19, 2025, with a proposal due date of April 21, 2025.

The ISBE encourages small businesses to register with the State of Illinois and participate in this procurement opportunity. While no specific set-aside designations are explicitly mentioned, the standard Illinois Certifications form (Version 23.1) indicates a commitment to diverse vendor participation and compliance with various legal and operational requirements. Vendors must meet extensive certification standards, including compliance with employment and human rights laws, maintenance of a drug-free workplace, and adherence to tax regulations. Insurance requirements are stringent, mandating $1,000,000 in general commercial liability and professional liability insurance. The State Board reserves the right to reject all offers and to award contracts partially or in total. Though a specific budget range is not provided, vendors should be prepared to submit comprehensive proposals that meet all technical and logistical requirements for hosting a comprehensive school nutrition training conference. The procurement is governed by the State of Illinois Chief Procurement Office General Services Standard Terms and Conditions (Version 23.2), which provides additional guidance on contractual expectations and vendor responsibilities.