SBE-AU112-2025 Those Who Excel & Teacher of the Year Banquet

The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) is seeking a vendor to provide comprehensive event services for the 2025 Those Who Excel and Teacher of the Year Banquet scheduled for May 17, 2025. The procurement is a Request for Quote (RFQ) for a banquet event that will accommodate between 700 to 1,050 attendees in Central Illinois. Specific requirements include securing a conference space within or walking distance of a hotel, with necessary amenities such as meeting rooms, banquet seating, a registration area, stage, and audio-visual capabilities. The vendor must provide full-service catering, with pricing quoted for the estimated 1,050 attendees and additional per-plate rates for potential overflow. Evaluation criteria will be based on the lowest total price from a responsive bidder, with the quote required to remain valid for 160 days from submission. The RFQ was posted on November 13, 2024, with proposals due by November 21, 2024. Vendors must submit an all-inclusive quote that covers all service charges, rental fees, and associated expenses, with the understanding that ISBE is not subject to taxes.

No specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises are explicitly mentioned in the provided documentation. The procurement appears to be open to all qualified vendors capable of meeting the event requirements. While no incumbent vendors are listed, the contract opportunity requires compliance with the State of Illinois' Standard Terms and Conditions and Standard Illinois Certifications, which include various legal and ethical requirements for vendors. Vendors must certify compliance with policies related to political contributions, labor practices, environmental standards, and drug-free workplace regulations. The potential award value is not precisely defined, but will be determined by the total cost of the event services, including venue, catering, and associated logistics for up to 1,050 attendees. Interested vendors must carefully review the attached Standard Terms and Conditions and Standard Illinois Certifications to ensure full compliance with state procurement regulations.