SP w/SS Conditions - LWIA 4 BUSINESS EMPLOYMENT SKILLS TEAM INC

The State of Illinois, through the Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) and Family and Community Services (FCS), is soliciting a Small Purchase with Sole Source Conditions for shared service costs between these agencies for local one-stop Workforce Centers in Local Workforce Innovation Area (LWIA) 4, managed by Business Employment Skills Team Inc. This procurement involves establishing cost-sharing arrangements and infrastructure support for the Sterling, Illinois workforce center, including lease, utilities, security, technology, and telecommunications expenses totaling $88,891.17, along with shared delivery system costs of $95,684.20 for one-stop operator services provided through a consortium model. The procurement requires the vendor to coordinate with multiple required workforce partners including the Illinois Department of Commerce (Title IB), Illinois Department of Employment Security (Title III Wagner-Peyser and MSFW), Illinois Community College Board (Title II), Illinois Department of Human Services (Title IV Vocational Rehabilitation and TANF), Department on Aging (SCSEP), and Department of Corrections (Second Chance), with full-time equivalent (FTE) commitments totaling 11.0 FTEs across all partners. Key deliverables include infrastructure cost management, technology support, telecommunications services, security services, and shared delivery system coordination, with cost allocations based on proportional FTE sharing methodology. Vendors must maintain general commercial liability insurance of $1,000,000 per occurrence with $2,000,000 annual aggregate, auto liability of $1,000,000, and workers' compensation coverage as required by law, along with compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, prevailing wage requirements, and federal funding disclosures. The due date for proposal submission is May 11, 2026, with the posted date of May 8, 2026.

This procurement is designated as a Small Purchase with Sole Source Conditions, indicating restricted competition with the primary vendor being Business Employment Skills Team Inc., which currently serves as the one-stop operator in partnership with SVCC and IDES under a consortium arrangement providing in-kind services valued at $44,684.20 with no cash expense to other partners. The contract requires integration with existing infrastructure and technology systems supporting multiple workforce partner agencies and the shared one-stop delivery system model currently operational in the Sterling center. All work product and deliverables created under the contract will be considered work for hire with sole ownership vested in the State of Illinois, and the vendor must comply with the Illinois Freedom of Information Act and submit to background checks at the State's discretion. The contract is contingent upon appropriation availability and governed by the State of Illinois Standard Terms and Conditions established by the Chief Procurement Office, with record retention obligations spanning three years from final payment or contract completion, or five years if federal funds are utilized; the State reserves the right to terminate the contract for convenience with thirty days' notice. The total shared cost budget for FY 2027 is $246,775, with specific breakdowns including cash contributions of $115,405, non-cash contributions of $45,095, and non-cash staffing contributions of $41,591, distributed according to each partner's negotiated FTE commitment and cost reconciliation mechanisms through invoicing and credit processes.