Sole Source- Illinois Beach SP-Specialized Electronic Monitoring & Alert System

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is pursuing a sole source procurement for a Specialized Electronic Monitoring & Alert System at Adeline Jay Geo-Karis Illinois Beach State Park. The procuring agency has identified SwimSmart Technology LLC as the only economically feasible source capable of providing this specialized system, which integrates directly with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) network to automatically issue alerts when dangerous surf conditions occur on Lake Michigan. The system must include audible alarms and visual, color-coded light signals that adjust automatically based on real-time NOAA data, along with hardware robust enough to withstand Lake Michigan's severe weather and corrosive marine environment. This is a one-time purchase and installation contract with an estimated project duration from June 1, 2026, through May 31, 2027, with no renewal options. The deadline for interested parties to submit written comments or request a public hearing is May 30, 2026, at 4:00 PM, with a scheduled public hearing on June 4, 2026, at 2:00 PM via WebEx. The Department has justified the sole source procurement based on patent and proprietary technology uniquely available only from SwimSmart Technology LLC, emphasizing that the inability to warn the public of dangerous conditions would constitute a public safety threat and necessitate beach closure, disrupting critical State services and revenue generation.

This procurement is structured as a sole source award with no set-aside designations or restrictions limiting organizational eligibility, as SwimSmart Technology LLC has been identified as the sole provider of this specialized NOAA-integrated technology on the Great Lakes. The Department verified the vendor's pricing through consultation with existing users of the SwimSmart system in Michigan and the City of Racine, Wisconsin, both of which have successfully implemented this product, and determined the pricing to be fair and reasonable after considering inflation factors. The Department acknowledged that this procurement will obligate the State to this vendor for all future maintenance and system updates, as the specialized technology can only be serviced and improved by SwimSmart specialists. The contract value is $275,686.38, funded through state appropriated funds. The Chief Procurement Officer will determine whether to approve the sole source procurement method following consideration of all testimony presented at the public hearing, with written comments given equal consideration to oral testimony.