SBE: Sole Source - The College Board (FY27)

The State Board of Education is announcing its notice of intent to award a sole-source contract to The College Board to provide Advanced Placement test administration at reduced cost for qualifying low-income students taking AP exams in Spring 2027, with a public hearing scheduled for October 16, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. via WebEx and written comments due by 4:00 p.m. on that date. This is a sole-source procurement under the Illinois Procurement Code; interested parties may submit written objections or request oral hearing participation through Dianne Richman at the Chief Procurement Office for General Services (217-622-1857 or Dianne.Richman@illinois.gov).

The College Board has been selected as the sole source based on its established position as the national administrator of AP examinations and its ability to deliver services at reduced cost for eligible participants. The contract covers AP test administration during the standard national testing windows in Spring 2027 and emphasizes cost reduction for qualifying low-income students to reduce financial barriers to advanced academic assessment. Specific fee schedules and pricing structures are contained in the attached documentation.

The procurement number is BidbuyNo 27-586SBE-CHFED-B-54365. A public hearing has been scheduled to allow interested parties to present testimony regarding whether sole source award is appropriate and in accordance with the Illinois Procurement Code; written comments will receive equal weight as oral testimony. The hearing will be canceled unless an interested party submits written comments or makes a written request for a hearing by the deadline. The State Board of Education will make a final determination regarding approval of the sole source procurement method following consideration of testimony presented.