Doing Business with the Illinois Tollway
The Illinois Tollway’s purchases are done in compliance with the Illinois Procurement Code. Non-construction supplies and services are done under the rules of the Illinois Department of Central Management Services. Construction procurements are done under the rules of the Illinois Department of Transportation or the Illinois Capital Development Board.
Goods and Services
Where to begin:
The Illinois Tollway’s Buyers in the Purchasing Unit do most small purchases (under $25,000) on a multiple quote basis. A letter of introduction, a line card, and/or a personal meeting can get you started. Contact Purchasing
Most purchases over $25,000 and most term contracts over $5,000 are publicly bid either by ISTHA or by the Department of Central Management Services.
Purchases for the Illinois Tollway done by the Department of Central Management Services can be obtained at the State of Illinois Procurement Bulletin at www.purchase.state.il.us. You may register to receive e-mail notifications of bid opportunities for State agencies for the commodities that you select. Registration is free. Note: The Department of Central Management Services has discontinued mailing invitations for bid.
How are bids awarded?
Each Invitation for Bid or Request for Proposal will state how the bid will be awarded. Invitations for Bid are generally awarded to the lowest responsible and responsive bid. Requests for Proposals are evaluated and scored as outlined in the document and the proposal that scores the highest is the firm the Illinois Tollway enters into negotiations for award with.
Where and when do I submit my bid?
Each bid document will identify the location, date, and time that the bid is due. The bid must be delivered prior to the start of the bid opening. The Illinois Tollway is not responsible for bids that are delivered to the wrong location or that are late due to weather, third-party deliveries, etc.
What if my bid arrives late?
Because of the potential perception of impropriety, bids that do not arrive at the bid opening location prior to the start of the bid opening will not be considered. If the bid was in the Illinois Tollway’s possession and was not at the bid opening due to fault of Illinois Tollway personnel, the bid will be considered. There must be substantive proof that the bid was in Illinois Tollway possession prior to the start of the bid opening.
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Participation
The Illinois State Toll Highway Illinois Tollway has instituted a voluntary, affirmative action program to ensure increased participation of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE’s) on Illinois Tollway projects. The Illinois Tollway’s goal in this regard is that 20% of the work to be performed under the contract be sub-contracted to an eligible DBE.
To qualify as an eligible DBE, for purposes of this procurement, the standards established by The Business Enterprise for Minorities, Females, and Persons with Disabilities Act (30 ILCS 575/1) must be met. The Business Enterprise for Minorities, Females, and Persons with Disabilities Act helps state government promote the economic development of businesses certified as owned and controlled by minorities, females and persons with disabilities.
This certification program is administered by the Department of Central Management Services’ Business Enterprise Program. There are also certification reciprocity agreements between Central Management Services (CMS), the Chicago Minority Business Development Council (CMBDC), the Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC) and the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT). A certification application can be obtained by contacting:
Business Enterprise Program
James R. Thompson Center
100 West Randolph Street
Suite 4-400
Chicago, Illinois 60601
(312) 814-4190 (Voice or TTY)
(800) 356-9206 (Toll-Free)
(312) 814-6664 (Fax)
www.state.il.us/cms/purchase/BEP
How do I find out who was awarded a bid?
The Illinois Tollway will notify successful and unsuccessful bidders in writing after the Board of Directors makes an award. Download Bid Awards to see Illinois Tollway awards. Any additional information desired can be obtained through a Freedom of Information Act Request through the Illinois Tollway’s Legal Department. Please address your written request to:
The Illinois State Toll Highway Illinois Tollway
Attention: Legal Department FOIA Officer
2700 Ogden Avenue
Downers Grove, IL 60515
Construction Procurements
Engineering Professional Services
Professional Services contracts are solicited and awarded in accordance with the Architectural, Engineering, and Land Surveying Qualifications Based Selection Act (30ILCS535). A Professional Services Bulletin consisting of planning, design and/or construction projects is prepared and posted. Letters of interest from IDOT pre-qualified consultants, which must include the firm's qualifications proposed for use on the advertised projects, are solicited. A committee consisting of representatives from the Tollway, IDOT, and the Illinois Society of Professional Engineers reviews each firm and evaluates each on technical qualifications. The selection committee's choice is based solely upon these qualifications. The projects include a 20% D/M/WBE participation goal.
Request for Proposal for Professional Services, Non-Engineering
A two-committee structure is used. An RFP is issued and the response proposals are reviewed by a committee consisting of staff representatives from various departments according to criteria developed as part of the RFP. This initial evaluation and recommendation may be submitted to a second committee consisting of senior staff. The senior staff committee reviews the recommendations and may entertain oral presentations. Final recommendations are then made to respective committees of Directors of the Board for approval.
How do I get started?
For Engineering Professional Services, you should seek to become pre-qualified by the Illinois Department of Transportation. Information can be found at IDOT’s website at www.dot.state.il.us. For general construction work, download the Illinois Tollway’s Bidders Application and mail or fax it in. You will be notified when the Illinois Tollway is seeking bids for commodities that you have selected.
How do I find out who was awarded a bid?
Awards of Engineering Professional Services are published on the Professional Services Bulletin page. Download Construction Bid Awards to see Illinois Tollway awards for non-engineering bids. Any additional information desired can be obtained through a Freedom of Information Act Request through the Illinois Tollway’s Legal Department. Please address your written request to:
The Illinois State Toll Highway Illinois Tollway
Attention: Legal Department FOIA Officer
2700 Ogden Avenue
Downers Grove, IL 60515
This information is provided to the public as a guideline. If any of the information contained herein is in conflict with the bid documents, State rules, or State Statute then the documents, rules, or statute will take precedence.
