SEFS IRU Dark Fiber - Dekalb

The Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT) has issued a notice of intent to award a sole-source contract for Indefeasible Right to Use (IRU) dark fiber in DeKalb to Syndeo Networks, Inc., with written comments or hearing requests due November 13, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. CST. This is not a solicitation, and the sole-source approval is contingent on no interested party submitting written comments or a hearing request by that deadline.

The procurement secures four strands of dark fiber along a 7.56-mile route connecting the Northern Illinois University point of presence at 375 Wirtz Drive, DeKalb, to the Illinois Tollway Fiber Optic Network via South Peace Road or Somonauk Road. It provides redundant connectivity for the DeKalb POP serving the Illinois Century Network, with required delivery on December 1, 2026.

DoIT's justification rests on Syndeo's ownership of existing fiber along the route. A prior competitive Invitation for Bid (B-50663) drew one response from DNA Communications, which proposed new construction at an estimated $350,000. DoIT rejected that proposal as economically unfeasible and inconsistent with state policy discouraging unnecessary duplication of communications networks. The justification cites outage exposure exceeding $42,000 per hour at the single-path NIU POP as the basis for treating redundancy as a critical requirement.

The initial term value is $202,695.10, calculated on approximately 30.253 fiber miles at a $1,700-per-mile non-recurring IRU fee plus $250-per-mile annual maintenance over the 20-year term from December 31, 2026, through December 30, 2046. The source names no renewal options. State appropriated funds fully fund the procurement. DoIT found pricing fair and reasonable by comparison with comparable dark fiber IRU agreements the state currently uses.

A public hearing is scheduled for November 18, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. CST via WebEx, and it will be canceled unless interested parties submit written comments or hearing requests by the November 13 deadline. Written comments receive equal consideration to oral testimony. Division Head Charles Levy and State Purchasing Officer Joshua Sergent approved the sole-source justification on November 4, 2026. The notice contact is Dianne Richman, Chief Procurement Officer for General Services, at Dianne.Richman@illinois.gov or 217-622-1857.