SOLE SOURCE Hitec Nextalk/ TEXTNET TTY Services

The State of Illinois, through the Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT), is issuing a sole source contract for Nexttalk/Textnet TTY services to be provided by HITEC Group International, Inc., dba HITEC. The services will enable communication for individuals with hearing and speech impairments, utilizing a LAN-based network with 280 assigned 800 numbers and 635 users across various state agencies. The current contract term is from February 1, 2022 to January 31, 2023, with an estimated value of $110,000 for the initial one-year period. HITEC has provided these services under sole source contracts since 2008, and the State has determined that HITEC is the sole authorized distributor of Nexttalk/Textnet services in Illinois and Wisconsin, and that transitioning to a new vendor would require significant investment in new TTY equipment by state agencies.

This sole source contract is open only to HITEC Group International, Inc., dba HITEC, as they are the sole provider of the required Nexttalk/Textnet services in the State of Illinois. The pricing for the services, which includes software maintenance, port licenses, and additional 800 numbers, has been negotiated by the State and determined to be fair and reasonable. The State will be canceling the public hearing for this sole source contract unless an interested party submits written comments or requests a public hearing by November 5, 2021.