Renovation of an educational facility in Carbondale, Illinois. Completed plans call for the renovation of a educational facility.

The individual listed below shall be the single point of contact for this solicitation. Unless otherwise directed, do not discuss this solicitation, directly or indirectly, with any University employee other than the Solicitation Contact. Suspected errors in the solicitation should be immediately reported to the Solicitation Contact. The University shall not be held responsible for information provided by any person other than the Solicitation Contact. Only information provided in writing shall be binding on the University. Vendor Questions / University Responses: All questions / concerns regarding this solicitation, including specifications, other than those raised at any conference held regarding this solicitation, must be in written form and submitted to the Solicitation Contact no later than November 17, 2021. Questions received and University responses may be posted as an addendum to the original solicitation on the Bulletin; only these written responses to questions shall be binding on the University. Vendors are responsible for monitoring the Bulletin for addenda and other updates. Submission of Responses: Vendor must submit a signed original and 0 copies of the response in a sealed envelope or container. In addition, Vendor must submit 0 copies on CD or USB flash drive in the following format: FAXED OR ELECTRONIC BIDS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. Late Submissions: Responses submitted late will not be considered. The Vendor is responsible for ensuring that their response is received at the time, date, and place specified. All times are State of Illinois local times. Responses received after the specified date and time may be returned at the Vendor's request and expense. Response Firm Time: The response must remain firm for 120 days from the opening date. Minorities, Females and Persons with Disabilities Participation and Utilization Plan: Yes. If "yes" is marked, this solicitation contains a goal of 20 % to include businesses owned and controlled by minorities, females and persons with disabilities in the State's procurement and contracting / subcontracting processes. All questions regarding any subcontracting goal must be directed to the Solicitation Contact. Failure to submit a Utilization Plan as instructed, if required, may render the response non-responsive. Veteran-Owned Small Business Participation and Utilization Plan: Yes. If "yes" is marked, this solicitation contains a goal of 3 % to include businesses owned and controlled by military Veterans in the State's procurement and contracting / subcontracting processes. All questions regarding any subcontracting goal must be directed to the Solicitation Contact. Failure to submit a Utilization Plan as instructed, if required, may render the response non-responsive. Business Enterprise Program (BEP). The solicitation contains a goal that 20 % of the value of the contract will be performed by BEP certified vendors as defined by the Department of Central Management Services (CMS). The solicitation contains a goal that % of the value of the contract will be performed by Veteran Small Business certified vendors (VSB) as defined by the Department of Central Management Services Employment Tax Credit: The State of Illinois encourages prospective Vendors to consider hiring qualified Veterans and Illinois residents discharged from any Illinois adult correctional center, in appropriate circumstances. If you hire qualified Veterans and / or certain ex-offenders, you may be eligible for tax credits. (30 ILCS 500/45-67 & 45-70) Please contact the Illinois Department of Revenue (217-524-4772) for information about tax credits. Governing Law and Forum: Illinois law and rule govern this solicitation and any resulting contract. Vendor must bring any action relating to this solicitation or any resulting contract in the appropriate court in Illinois. This document contains statutory references designated with "ILCS" (Illinois Compiled Statutes). The Illinois Procurement Code (30 ILCS 500) and the Higher Education Standard Procurement Rules (44 Ill. Admin. 4) are applicable to this solicitation. Public Records and Requests for Confidential Treatment: Responses to the solicitation become the property of the University. All responses will be open to the public under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 ILCS 140) and other applicable laws and rules. However, we will consider requests for confidential treatment under FOIA. A request for confidential treatment will not supersede the University's legal obligations under FOIA. The University will not honor requests to keep entire responses confidential. Vendors must show the specific grounds in FOIA or other law or rule that support application of confidential treatment. Regardless, the University will disclose the successful Vendor's name, the substance of the response and the price. If Vendor requests confidential treatment, Vendor must submit an additional copy of the response with the proposed confidential information redacted. This redacted copy must tell the general nature of the material removed, and shall retain as much of the original response as possible. In Section 9 of the response, Vendor shall list the provisions, identified by section number, for which it seeks confidential treatment and identify the statutory basis under Illinois or other applicable law and include a detailed justification for exempting the information from public disclosure. Vendor will hold harmless and indemnify the University for all costs or damages associated with the University honoring Vendor's request for confidential treatment. Vendor agrees the University may copy the response to facilitate evaluation, or to respond to requests for public records. Vendor warrants that such copying will not violate the rights of any third party. Reservations: Vendor must read and understand the solicitation and tailor the response and all activities to ensure compliance. The University reserves the right to amend the solicitation; reject any or all responses; award by item, group of items, or grand total; and waive minor defects. The University may request a clarification, inspect Vendor's premises, interview staff, request a presentation, or otherwise verify the contents of the response, including information about subcontractors and suppliers. The University may request best and final offers when appropriate. The University will make all decisions on compliance, evaluation, terms and conditions, and shall make decisions in the best interests of the University and in accordance with the Illinois Procurement Code, Rules and other applicable state and federal statutes and regulations. Failure to comply with requests for information or cooperate may result in the response being deemed non-responsive to the solicitation. Submitting a response does not entitle a Vendor to an award or contract. Posting Vendor's name in a Bulletin notice does not entitle Vendor to a contract. The University is not responsible for and will not pay any costs associated with the preparation and submission of any solicitation response. Awarded Vendor(s) shall not commence, and will not be paid for, any billable work prior to the date all parties execute the contract or the date of receipt of an executed purchase order. Protest Review Office: Vendor may submit a written protest to the Protest Review Office following the requirements of the Higher Education Standard Procurement Rules. (44 Ill. Admin. Code 4.5550) For protests related to the solicitation, including specifications, the Protest Review Office must physically receive the protest no later than 14 days after the solicitation or related addendum was posted to the Bulletin. For protests related to rejection of individual responses, or of awards, the protest must be received by close of business no later than 14 days after the protesting party knows or should have known of the facts giving rise to the protest, or posting to the Bulletin, whichever is earlier. The Protest Review Office's information is as follows: Chief Procurement Office for Higher Education Attn: Protest Review Office 513 Stratton Office Building 401 South Spring Street Springfield, IL 62706 Email: EEC.CPOHE@illinois.gov