Sole Source - Dietary Kitchen Trailers

The Illinois Department of Corrections (DOC) is pursuing a sole source procurement for two 48-foot mobile kitchen trailers from US Mobile Kitchens to temporarily support food service operations at the Stateville Northern Reception Center during permanent kitchen renovations. The mobile kitchen units will serve up to 1,800 inmates and staff over a 24-month period from December 4, 2024 to December 3, 2026. These specialized trailers have been custom-fitted with specific security and safety requirements unique to a correctional facility, ensuring continuous 24/7 dietary services during the Capital Development Board's renovation project. The procurement is being conducted through a sole source justification process, with a public hearing scheduled for November 13, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. Written comments or requests for a public hearing must be submitted by November 8, 2024 at 4:00 p.m. The DOC has determined that US Mobile Kitchens is the only economically feasible source due to significant prior infrastructure investments and the specialized modifications already implemented for the facility.

The procurement appears to have no specific set-aside designations or restrictions on responding organizations. US Mobile Kitchens is the incumbent vendor, having provided mobile kitchen units since December 2023 through an initial emergency procurement with two extensions. The total estimated contract value is $5,409,840, with a monthly rental rate of $225,410 for the two mobile kitchen units. State appropriated funds will be used to cover the contract costs, and the procurement explicitly states that this contract will not obligate the State to future purchases from the vendor. The mobile kitchen units represent a critical infrastructure solution that will enable the DOC to meet its constitutional requirement of providing hot, nutritious meals during the facility's kitchen renovation. No renewal options are included in the current procurement, and the contract is specifically designed to address the temporary dietary service needs during the renovation period.