The Illinois Tollway’s buyers procure most goods and services under the small purchase threshold on a request for quote (RFQ) basis on the State’s e-Procurement system – BidBuy. 

Invitation for Bid (IFB) or Request for Proposal (RFP) solicitations for most goods and services over the small purchase threshold are also publicly bid on BidBuy. You may register to receive email notifications of bid opportunities for state agencies for the commodities that you select. Registration is free. Although registration in BidBuy is not necessary to browse the site, registration is required to receive email notifications for all solicitations, addendums, and award notices.

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Each Invitation for Bid (IFB) or Request for Proposal (RFP) will state how the solicitation will be awarded. IFBs are generally awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. RFPs are evaluated and scored as outlined in the solicitation document.

View Current Tollway Goods and Services Solicitations

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.

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 but not at the bid opening due to fault of Illinois Tollway personnel, the bid may be considered. There must be substantive proof that the bid was in the Illinois Tollway’s possession prior to the start of the bid opening.

The Illinois Tollway will notify successful and unsuccessful bidders in writing after the Board of Directors approves the award recommendation. Here is a list of Contracts and Awards for goods and services procurements.

Any additional information can be obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request. 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.

The Business Enterprise Program assists businesses owned by minorities, women, and people with disabilities gain access to State of Illinois contracting opportunities and participate in the competitive procurement process. The Business Enterprise Program is committed to fostering an inclusive and competitive business environment that will help these businesses increase their capacity, grow revenue, and enhance credentials. The Illinois Tollway encourages vendors to participate in the Business Enterprise Program (BEP) on contracts for goods and services as both prime and subcontractors. To qualify as an eligible BEP vendor, the standards established by “The Business Enterprise for Minorities, Females, and Persons with Disabilities Act” (30 ILCS 575/1) must be followed. BEP certification with the State of Illinois can also open the door to opportunities with other public and private entities which are looking for diverse suppliers. The BEP certification program is administered by the Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS). In addition to its own certification process, CMS has a process for recognizing the following certifications:

• City of Chicago
• Chicago Transit Authority (CTA)
• Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT)
• METRA
• PACE
• Cook County
• Chicago Minority Supplier Development Council
• Mid-States Minority Supplier Development Council
• Women’s Business Development Center

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The Veterans Business Program assists businesses owned by veterans and service-disabled veterans gain access to State of Illinois contracting opportunities and participate in the competitive procurement process. The Veterans Business Program is committed to fostering an inclusive and competitive business environment that will help these businesses increase their capacity, grow revenue, and enhance credentials. The Illinois Tollway encourages vendors to participate in the Veterans Business Program (VBP) on contracts for goods and services as both prime and subcontractors. To qualify as an eligible VBP vendor, the standards established by the “Veterans Preference Act” (30 ILCS 55) must be followed. The VBP certification program is administered by the Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS). In addition to its own certification process, CMS has a process for recognizing the following certifications:

• Cook County (Veteran/Service-Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise)
• United States Department of Veteran Affairs-Center for Verification and Evaluations (CVE) VOSB/SDVOSB

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The Small Business Set-Aside Program promotes the economic development of small Illinois companies (revenues less than $8 million for retail or service business, less than $13 million for wholesale companies, and less than $14 million for construction companies. For manufacturing, the state defines small business based on gross revenue (less than $13 million) and employees (less than 250). This program has specific benefits for providers of goods and services:

• 673 supply and service classifications set aside
• One-time commodity and service procurements below the small purchase threshold are set aside for registered small businesses

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Apply for the Small Business Set-Aside Program