SBE-AU84-Promotional State Fair Items

The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) is seeking qualified vendors to supply promotional and educational handout items for distribution at the Illinois State Fair 2026 through Request for Quote SBE-AU84-Promotional State Fair Items. The procurement encompasses five distinct product categories totaling approximately 33,000 units: 9,000 apple-shaped magnetic chip clips in translucent green with full-color logo (2.8" H x 2.8" W x 1.5" D), 4,000 farmer/produce truck stress balls with full-color Farm to School logo (4" W x 2" H x 1.5" D), 4,000 stress balls featuring a 250th Anniversary USDA map design in blue with red and white accents (2.5" W x 1" H x 3.5" D), 8,000 apple-shaped reusable hot/cold packs in red with white logo and non-toxic PVC construction (3.375" W x 0.5" H x 3.875" D), and 8,000 four-piece silicone measuring spoon sets in gray and blue that are BPA-free and dishwasher-safe. All items must be personalized with ISBE's contact information and logo according to detailed specifications, with final delivery required by July 16, 2026. Vendors must submit quotes including item numbers, photos or product links, and pricing valid for 30 days from submission, with all costs inclusive of setup, printing, and shipping. ISBE reserves the right to reject any or all offers, award by individual item or groups of items, reject non-compliant bids, and guarantee receipt of the lowest price in the event of price decreases. Required qualifications include maintaining comprehensive insurance coverage of $1,000,000 per occurrence in General Commercial Liability ($2,000,000 annual aggregate), $1,000,000 per occurrence in Auto Liability, Workers' Compensation as required by law, and $1,000,000 in Professional Liability Insurance with three-year tail coverage following final payment. The Request for Quote was posted on May 13, 2026, with a response deadline of May 20, 2026, and all inquiries should be directed to Ally Cooper at acooper@isbe.net or 217-782-3096.

This procurement encourages vendors to register as Small Businesses with the State of Illinois, and the contract opportunity is designated as SBE-AU84, indicating a small business enterprise set-aside or preference. Vendors must comply with all Standard Illinois Certifications (Version 26.2), which require certification of legal entity status, absence of criminal convictions related to bribery or felonies, non-delinquency on state debts, compliance with environmental and labor laws, drug-free workplace standards, equal employment opportunity provisions, and restrictions on political contributions and lobbying activities. All vendors must also comply with the State of Illinois Standard Terms and Conditions (Version 23.2), which impose a $15 Minority Contractor Initiative fee for contracts of $1,000 or more (deducted from first payment), compliance with the State Prompt Payment Act, prevailing wage requirements where applicable, prior written approval for any subcontractors, and three-year record maintenance (five years if federal funds are used). The contract is contingent upon appropriation of funds by the Illinois General Assembly, and the State reserves the right to terminate for convenience with 30 days' notice or immediately for cause. No incumbent vendors or specific budget range has been identified in the procurement documents, and no set-aside for disadvantaged enterprises beyond the small business designation is noted. All work product and intellectual property created under the contract becomes the exclusive property of the State of Illinois.