SHPO Economic Impact Reports CY26 and CY28

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is soliciting bids for the development of economic impact reports covering the Illinois Historic Preservation Tax Credit program and the River Edge Historic Tax Credit program for calendar years 2026 and 2028 under Solicitation 27-422DNR-REALT-B-53743, with bids due September 3, 2026. A 7% Business Enterprise Program (BEP) goal applies; failure to submit a completed BEP Utilization Plan with documented good faith efforts renders a bid non-responsive.

The vendor must deliver two comprehensive, graphically designed PDF reports compliant with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 Level AA, supported by detailed databases of all Illinois Federal Historic Tax Credit projects with National Park Service-approved Part 2s from 2000 through the respective reporting periods, Google Earth map layers with color-coded project pins, and analyses covering program statistics, economic impacts, housing unit creation, geographic distribution, job creation, tax trends, and comparative project evaluations. Deliverables also include supporting data and research materials in formats to be determined jointly by IDNR and the vendor.

Staffing requirements mandate at least one team member meeting federal professional qualification standards in history, architectural history, or historic architecture per 36 CFR Part 61; collective experience including minimum three completed economic impact reports for state or federal historic tax credit programs; a master's degree holder in economics-related disciplines; survey and evaluation expertise; access to IMPLAN or equivalent software; and graphic design capabilities. The vendor must maintain General Commercial Liability insurance of $1 million per occurrence and $2 million annual aggregate. Subcontracting is permitted with prior written approval for subcontractors with annual values exceeding $100,000.

The contract term runs from execution through June 30, 2029, with no renewal options. Key milestone deadlines include an initial meeting within 20 working days of execution, data compilation within two months, preliminary analysis within three months, draft maps and executive summary within four to five months, draft report within six months, and final delivery within nine months for the first report (2027). Comparable timelines apply for the second report (2029). Pricing is firm; the maximum amount will be entered by the State prior to execution, and payment follows Illinois Prompt Payment Act requirements tied to milestone completion. All work product is owned exclusively by the State of Illinois. Bids must remain firm for 90 days from opening. Award will be made to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder meeting all stated requirements.