Invitation for Bid (IFB) for fiber-based metro Ethernet services for connectivity between site locations in Illinois, related to the Erate program. Bids must be submitted electronically through BidBuy by September 3, 2026. Pricing is required for various bandwidth sizes for each circuit. The award will be made to the lowest priced responsive and responsible bidder based on a total cost of ownership calculation over six years. A mandatory pre-submission conference will be held on August 4, 2026. Bidders must comply with Erate supplemental terms and conditions and may need to submit a Business Enterprise Program (BEP) utilization plan.
Bid opening date is September 3, 2026. Bid opening date: **** 10:00:00 AM
Invoicing address is Department of Innovation Technology, Accounts Payable Telecom, 120 West Jefferson, Springfield, IL **** address: department of innovation technology accounts payable telecom 120 west jefferson springfield, il ****
The state will award to the lowest priced responsive and responsible bidder whose bid meets the specified criteria. The state may award to the lowest priced responsive and responsible bidder whose bid meets the specified criteria.
A responsible bidder has the capability in all respects to perform fully the contract requirements and has the integrity and reliability that will assure good faith performance. A responsible bidder is one who has the capability in all respects to perform fully the contract requirements and who has the integrity and reliability that will assure good faith performance.
For protests related to specifications, the protest review office must receive the protest no later than fourteen 14 days after the solicitation or related addendum was posted. For protests related to specifications, the protest review office must receive the protest no later than fourteen 14 days after the solicitation or related addendum was posted to the bulletin.
Failure to submit required documents such as vendor disclosure or utilization plans with the bid will render the bid nonresponsive. Failure to submit vendor disclosure or ipg active registered vendor disclosure, as applicable, and the utilization plans, as applicable, with the bid submitted in bidbuy shall render the bid nonresponsive.