Sole Source ICN POP Peoria

The State of Illinois is issuing a notice of intent to award a sole source contract to Windstream for the provision of colocation services for an Internet Connectivity Node Point of Presence (ICN POP) in Peoria, Illinois. The Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT) requires this location to house network equipment and fiber, and to provide bandwidth and services to educational entities, municipalities, and state agencies in western Illinois. The proposed contract term is 5 years from January 16, 2023 to January 15, 2028, with no renewal options. The estimated initial contract value is $700,000. DoIT has justified the sole source procurement on the grounds of Windstream's specialized technical and physical infrastructure requirements, the significant costs and disruption associated with relocating the ICN POP, and DoIT's existing investment in fiber infrastructure at the Windstream central office location in downtown Peoria, which is the only such facility in the area.

There is no indication of any set-aside designations or restrictions on the types of organizations that can respond. Windstream is the incumbent vendor, as DoIT has been located at this site for over 20 years. The pricing of $4.60 per square foot is significantly lower than the fair market rate of $14.50 per square foot for the area. The sole source hearing scheduled for January 11, 2023 will provide an opportunity for public input on whether the sole source award to Windstream is appropriate and in accordance with the Illinois Procurement Code. Interested parties must submit written comments or a request for a public hearing by January 6, 2023.