Sole Source: Horizontech Data Entry of Forms and Imaging of Forms and Documents

The Illinois Secretary of State is pursuing a sole source procurement with Horizontech Technologies, Inc. for data entry and imaging services related to vehicle documentation and transactions. The contract, valued at $2,974,519, will cover data entry and image processing for title and registration applications, IRP/insurance vehicle transactions, and scrapped vehicle documentation. The proposed contract term spans two years, specifically from October 1, 2025, to September 30, 2027, representing a continuation of previous contracts dating back to July 2016. A public hearing is scheduled for October 6, 2025, at 2:00 pm in Springfield, Illinois, located at 501 South Second Street, where interested parties can provide input on the sole source procurement. Written comments must be submitted by October 2, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. to potentially influence the procurement process. The vendor, Horizontech, has demonstrated specialized capabilities including system integration, VINTelligence software for vehicle verification, and secured electronic file transfer mechanisms. The procurement aims to maintain critical agency operations without disruption and ensure continuous processing of vehicle-related documentation.

The sole source contract does not explicitly mention specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. Horizontech Technologies, Inc. is the incumbent vendor and has been providing these services since July 2016, with an established technological infrastructure already integrated with the Illinois Secretary of State's Vehicle Services Department. The contract will be funded through State Appropriate Funds, with a total estimated value of $2,974,519 over the two-year period. The agency argues that transitioning to a new vendor would require 6-12 months and could potentially cause severe operational challenges, including data loss and processing backlogs. Horizontech's pricing has historically been consistent, with adjustments limited to cost of living increases. The vendor has already completed system communication testing and has been granted special security access for electronic file transfers, which further supports the rationale for a sole source procurement. The contract is critical for maintaining the agency's daily operational capabilities in vehicle services documentation and processing.