SPSS Comcast Dark Fiber

The Illinois State Tollway Authority (ISTHA) is seeking a sole source procurement for a Comcast Dark Fiber connection between the Illinois Tollway Fiber network and the Rockford Disaster Recovery co-location facility. The contract is structured as a small purchase with sole source conditions and will have a 12-month term. The primary deliverable is a dedicated dark fiber link that will enable critical infrastructure connectivity for disaster recovery purposes. Comcast is the exclusively identified vendor capable of meeting the technical specifications and infrastructure requirements for this project. The procurement documents indicate that the contract is time-sensitive, with a posted date of November 17, 2025, and a proposal due date of November 19, 2025, allowing for a very short response window. The vendor must comply with comprehensive technical and regulatory requirements, including adherence to NIST Special Publication 800-53 Revision 5 and applicable federal and state information protection standards. Vendors must also demonstrate capabilities in establishing and maintaining specialized fiber network infrastructure.

The procurement appears to have no specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises or small businesses. Comcast is the incumbent and sole source vendor for this specific dark fiber connection, with no competitive bidding process indicated. The contract requires vendors to maintain substantial insurance coverage, including $1,000,000 per occurrence in general commercial liability insurance and $2,000,000 in annual aggregate coverage. Additional requirements include auto liability coverage of $1,000,000 per occurrence and workers' compensation insurance as mandated by law. While no specific contract value is explicitly stated, the procurement involves critical telecommunications infrastructure for a state agency. Vendors must annually certify compliance with numerous state requirements, including technological accessibility standards, cybersecurity directives, and various legal and ethical certifications. The contract is contingent upon appropriation of funds and will be governed exclusively by Illinois law, with potential disputes resolved through the Illinois Court of Claims.