Work Based Learning Platform

City Colleges of Chicago is soliciting proposals for the design, implementation, and support of a Work-Based Learning Management Platform serving seven colleges and five satellite locations throughout Chicago, with proposals due July 31, 2026, and a pre-proposal conference scheduled for July 6 at 11:00 a.m. Central Time via Zoom. MBE participation goal of 25% and WBE participation goal of 7% apply; only certified firms verified by the City of Chicago, Cook County, State of Illinois, Chicago Minority Supplier Development Council, or Women's Business Development Center may be counted. Proposers unable to meet goals must submit good-faith-effort waiver documentation.

The platform must support multiple WBL models including internships, apprenticeships, clinicals, job shadowing, and service learning across student participation tracking, skill development documentation, employer engagement and feedback, and program outcomes reporting. The system must integrate with CCC's existing Salesforce environment and the Department of Labor's Registered Apprenticeship Partners Information System (RAPIDS) for compliance. Key functional requirements include AI-powered student matching and career navigation, employer relationship management, workflow automation, communication tools, and data-reporting capabilities with FERPA and SOC 2 compliance.

CCC intends to award one three-year contract with options for two additional one-year extensions. No estimated contract value is stated. Proposers must be registered with the Illinois Secretary of State in good standing and demonstrate at least two years of business experience. Required insurance includes workers' compensation, commercial liability at $5 million, cyber liability at $5 million, and professional liability at $5 million. Contractors must comply with Chicago minimum-wage and Illinois prevailing-wage requirements.

Questions are due July 9 at 12:00 p.m. Central Time via the EUNA Procurement System. Intent-to-submit declarations are due July 29 at 12:00 p.m. Central Time. Proposals must include executive summary, detailed scope responses, team qualifications with references, MBE/WBE participation plans, three years of financial statements, insurance documentation, and compliance forms including IRS Form W-9 and Economic Disclosure Statement. Evaluation criteria include project-objective achievement, team structure, qualifications and references, price reasonableness, MBE/WBE compliance, scope understanding, methodology, deliverables quality, and project management capability.