TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF AUGUST 13, 2026
COMMITTEE ON PROCUREMENT
Mr. John P. Murray, Executive Director
Title
Issue purchase orders and enter into agreements for Contract 25-RFP-23, Technical Assistance Program, with Zann & Associates, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $372,470.80, and with HIRE360 in an amount not to exceed $447,500.00, Account 101-15000-612430, Requisitions 1647434 and 1647435
Body
Dear Sir:
Authorization is requested to issue purchase orders and enter into agreements with Zann & Associates, Inc. for Group A, Business Financial Capacity and Development Services, and HIRE360 for Group B, Construction and Contract Readiness Services, under Contract 25-RFP-23, Technical Assistance Program.
The purpose of this contract is to secure professional technical assistance to advance the District’s commitment to expanding economic opportunities for Minority, Women, Veteran-Owned Business Enterprises, and small and emerging firms. Through a coordinated program of education, business advising, and technical assistance, the selected firms will strengthen participants’ financial, operational, and contracting capabilities, enabling them to compete for District contracting opportunities and achieve long-term business growth.
The RFP was divided into two service groups:
Group A - Business Financial Capacity and Development Services: Access to working capital, accounting and financial analysis, tax and accounting services, bonding and insurance, financing readiness, project budgeting, and sales/pitch training.
Group B - Construction and Contract Readiness Services: Bidding and estimating, statement of interest development, bid checklists, certified payroll, project management, workforce planning, and union and labor agreement guidance.
Contract 25-RFP-23 was advertised on January 14, 2026. Proposals were received on April 10, 2026, from the following ten (10) firms: ALG Dynamics, LLC; CEI of America, LLC; Elle J. Management; HIRE360; INDEP of Chicago, LLC; Konesens Development Corporation; Prado Consulting, Inc., d/b/a Greenfield Group; The Wynners Club, LLC; Women’s Business Development Center; and Zann & Associates, Inc.
Of the ten (10) firms that submitted proposals, eight (8) submitted proposals for Group A services: CEI of America, LLC; Elle J. Management; Prado Consulting, Inc., d/b/a Greenfield Group; HIRE360; Konesens Development Corporation; The Wynners Club, LLC; Women’s Business Development Center; and Zann & Associates, Inc. Eight (8) firms submitted proposals for Group B services: ALG Dynamics, LLC; CEI of America, LLC; Elle J. Management; HIRE360; INDEP of Chicago, LLC; Konesens Development Corporation; The Wynners Club, LLC; and Zann & Associates, Inc.
The eight proposals submitted for Group A and the eight proposals submitted for Group B were independently reviewed and evaluated by a five-member evaluation committee consisting of three representatives from General Administration, one representative from the Procurement and Materials Management Department, and one representative from the Law Department. Each proposal and oral presentations were evaluated based on the proposer’s understanding of the project, compliance with the scope of work, technical approach, personnel and staffing plan, technical competence and experience, program delivery, and cost of services.
Following a comprehensive evaluation of the proposals submitted for Group A, Zann & Associates, Inc. is recommended to provide Business Financial Capacity and Development Services. Zann demonstrated a thorough understanding of the District’s objectives, presented a comprehensive and responsive approach to delivering the required services, fully complied with the scope of work and responsiveness requirements, and proposed a highly qualified staffing plan and program delivery approach. In addition, Zann submitted a cost proposal approximately 17.2% below the District’s estimated value for Group A and met the established Affirmative Action goals by submitting the required commitment forms.
Based on the same evaluation process, HIRE360 is recommended to provide Construction and Contract Readiness Services for Group B. HIRE360 demonstrated a thorough understanding of the District’s objectives, presented a comprehensive and responsive approach to delivering the required services, fully complied with the scope of work and responsiveness requirements, and proposed a highly qualified staffing plan and program delivery approach. In addition, HIRE360 submitted a cost proposal approximately 0.6% below the District’s estimated value for Group B and met the established Affirmative Action goals by submitting the required commitment forms.
For Contract 25-RFP-23, the established Affirmative Action goals for both Group A and Group B were 15% Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) and/or Women Business Enterprise (WBE) participation and 3% Veteran Business Enterprise (VBE) participation.
Zann & Associates, Inc. exceeded the MBE/WBE goal by committing 24% participation through Cumberland Irving, Inc., Phoenix CCI LLC, BCE-USA, LLC, and JLC & Associates, Inc., and met the 3% VBE goal through GNC Consulting, Inc. The Diversity Section reviewed and approved Zann’s participation plan and commitment forms, confirming compliance with the requirements of Appendix A and Appendix V.
HIRE360 exceeded the MBE/WBE goal by committing 22.46% participation through INDEP Chicago and Trinal, Inc. and exceeded the VBE goal by committing 4.36% participation through VE Solutions LLC. The Diversity Section reviewed and approved HIRE360’s participation plan and commitment forms, confirming compliance with the requirements of Appendix A and Appendix V.
Both agreements are scheduled to begin on October 1, 2026, and terminate on October 1, 2029.
Both Zann & Associates, Inc. and HIRE360 are registered to do business in Illinois, and both are in good standing with the State of Illinois.
Inasmuch as Zann & Associates, Inc. demonstrated a clear understanding of the District’s needs and fully complied with the scope of work for Group A services, it is recommended that the Director of Procurement and Materials Management be authorized to issue a purchase order to, and enter into an agreement with, Zann & Associates, Inc., pursuant to Section 11.4 of the Purchasing Act, in an amount not to exceed $372,470.80. Likewise, because HIRE360 demonstrated a clear understanding of the District’s needs and fully complied with the scope of work for Group B services, it is recommended that the Director of Procurement and Materials Management be authorized to issue a purchase order to, and enter into an agreement with, HIRE360, pursuant to Section 11.4 of the Purchasing Act, in an amount not to exceed $447,500.00.
Funds are available for current year’s expenditures in the amount of $68,330.90 in Account 101-15000-612430. The estimated expenditures for Group A for 2026, 2027, 2028, and 2029 are $31,039.24, $124,156.93, $124,156.93, and $93,117.70, respectively. The estimated expenditures for Group B for 2026, 2027, 2028, and 2029 are $37,291.66, $149,166.67, $149,166.67, and $111,875.00, respectively. Funding for subsequent years will be requested and is contingent upon the Board of Commissioners’ approval of the District’s budget for those years.
Requested, Shellie A. Riedle, Administrative Services Officer, CO:VA
Recommended, Darlene A. LoCascio, Director of Procurement and Materials Management
Respectfully Submitted, Precious Brady-Davis, Chairperson, Committee on Procurement
Disposition of this agenda item will be documented in the official Regular Board Meeting Minutes of the Board of Commissioners for August 13, 2026
Attachments