Sole Source Public Review - MX Study Abroad Program Muna Tree

City Colleges of Chicago, specifically Malcolm X College, is pursuing a sole source procurement for a study abroad program with Muna Tree Holdings, Ltd. (doing business as EDU Africa/AfroLatinx Travel) for a transformative educational experience in Ghana scheduled from February 19 to March 1, 2026. The program aims to provide students with social-emotional learning, cultural competency, and identity development opportunities, accommodating up to 20 student participants with additional chaperones. Key deliverables include comprehensive travel arrangements, housing, daily meals, program coordination, and on-ground support across various Ghanaian locations, featuring cultural site visits and community engagement activities. The procurement process includes a public hearing on October 23, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. CDT via Zoom, where interested parties can provide testimony for or against the sole source determination. The contract term runs from November 6, 2025, through March 31, 2026, with potential for a one-year extension subject to Board approval. Evaluation criteria appear to center on the vendor's unique capabilities in providing educational programming and comprehensive support services in Africa.

The contract is structured as a sole source procurement with no explicit set-aside designations or restrictions on respondent types. Muna Tree Holdings is positioned as the sole vendor, characterized as the most respected and reliable provider in Africa with unique service capabilities that cannot be replicated by other vendors. The total contract value is $60,000.00, with pricing structured at $2,600.00 per student for a maximum of 20 participants, potentially increasing to $3,000.00 per student if participation drops to 16 or fewer. An additional $2,200.00 contingency has been allocated to cover international transaction expenses such as wire transfer fees and currency exchange fluctuations. The funding will come from the Appropriation Grant Fund for fiscal year 2026, with potential significant financial implications, including the risk of losing a contract totaling one million dollars if the procurement is not approved. Chaperone accommodations are included at no additional cost, with an optional single room supplement of $380.00 per chaperone.