TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF JUNE 17, 2021
COMMITTEE ON PROCUREMENT
Mr. Brian A. Perkovich, Executive Director
Title
Authorization to enter into agreements with the Illinois Institute of Technology, Lake Forest Graduate School of Management, Leverage HR, National Institute of Governmental Purchasing, Inc., Occupational Training & Supply, Inc., SAGIN, LLC, and the University of Illinois pursuant to Contract 20-RFP-11 Master Agreement for Professional Development Courses, Account 101-25000-601100
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Dear Sir:
Authorization is requested to enter into agreements with the Illinois Institute of Technology, Lake Forest Graduate School of Management, Leverage HR, National Institute of Governmental Purchasing, Inc., Occupational Training & Supply, Inc., SAGIN, LLC, and the University of Illinois to develop and deliver various continuing professional development courses for the District beginning in 2021 and will continue for a three-year period.
The purpose of this contract is to obtain training services for an “indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity” of specialized training courses on a variety of subject matters related to various professions. These courses and workshops will be approximately one (1) to five (5) days in duration and cover topics from introductory to advanced levels. Courses and workshops are to be delivered in one of these modes: live, on-site delivery; live teleconference; or alternative distance learning technology. The goal is to meet the training needs for the: 1) Engineer and Scientific Training Program; and 2) Non-Engineer Training Program for professional employees in the Human Resources, Finance, Law, Procurement and Materials Management, General Administration, Information Technology and Treasury Departments.
All services will be delivered by the end of the three-year contract.
On October 9, 2020, Request for Proposal 20-RFP-11 Master Agreement for Professional Development Courses was advertised. Three hundred fifty-two (352) firms were notified, and thirty-nine (39) firms requested proposal documents. The District received nine (9) proposals on October 16, 2020 from the following vendors: Illinois Institute of Technology, Lake Forest Graduate School of Management, Leverage HR, National Institute of Governmental Purchasing, Inc., Occupational Training & Supply, Inc., SAGIN, LLC, and the University of Illinois, MOD Network LLC, and Reflection Software, Inc.
Four District employees, two members of the Human Resources Department, one member from the Monitoring and Research Department, and one member of the Procurement and Materials Management Department reviewed each proposal. Proposals were evaluated based on criteria such as: understanding of the project, approach to work, experience completing projects of similar scope, technical competence, and cost.
Based on the initial evaluation, seven (7) proposers were scheduled to present and respond to questions from the District’s evaluation team. The proposers were then afforded the opportunity to submit an unqualified Best and Final Offer to the Director of Procurement and Materials Management.
After the overall evaluation of the proposers, the Illinois Institute of Technology, Lake Forest Graduate School of Management, Leverage HR, National Institute of Governmental Purchasing, Inc., Occupational Training & Supply, Inc., SAGIN, LLC, and the University of Illinois were selected to develop and deliver various continuing professional development courses for the District.
Master agreements have been established for engineering and non-engineering professionals since 2009 to provide professional development courses for employees across multiple departments. Based on the overall success of previous master agreements, the objective is to enter into agreements with the seven (7) universities and training organizations to provide optimal flexibility in addressing the training needs of the District on an as-needed basis. This arrangement will not preclude obtaining training from other sources if necessary.
The training anticipated under these agreements may include engineering and non-engineering topics such as: design and construction of wastewater collection and treatment facilities; public works construction, stormwater and floodplain management; water quality and hydrology; arc flash training, project management for engineers; sustainability; leadership; technical writing, compliance with federal and state environmental regulations, and forecasting techniques for financial/management analysis.
As specific training needs are identified, the Illinois Institute of Technology, Lake Forest Graduate School of Management, Leverage HR, National Institute of Governmental Purchasing, Inc., Occupational Training & Supply, Inc., SAGIN, LLC, and the University of Illinois will be requested to submit training proposals based on several factors including faculty/trainer availability, areas of expertise and the desired delivery method, i.e., video conferencing or live instruction. The response to the Contract 20-RFP-11 has established the cost for all such instruction.
Each purchase order awarded pursuant to this agreement will be subject to the approval of the Director of Procurement and Materials Management and the Board of Commissioners, as may be appropriate, based on the dollar value of services. The funding for the training will be provided primarily through the departments receiving the training.
Appendix A and Appendix V was not be included in this RFP due to the scope of work to be performed under this contract. The requested services do not provide practical or cost-effective opportunities for direct or indirect subcontracting. Universities and other organizations with experience in the development and delivery of professional training typically contract using their own staff. Therefore, the Affirmative Action Appendix A and Appendix V should not be included.
Inasmuch as the educational institutions possesses a high degree of professional skill, it is recommended that the Director of Procurement and Materials Management be authorized to enter into agreements with the Illinois Institute of Technology, Lake Forest Graduate School of Management, Leverage HR, National Institute of Governmental Purchasing, Inc., Occupational Training & Supply, Inc., SAGIN, LLC, and the University of Illinois per Section 11.4 of the Purchasing Act.
Requested, Beverly K. Sanders, Director of Human Resources, BKS:RJB:tp
Recommended, Darlene A. LoCascio, Director of Procurement and Materials Management
Respectfully Submitted, Barbara J. McGowan, Chairman Committee on Procurement
Disposition of this agenda item will be documented in the official Regular Board Meeting Minutes of the Board of Commissioners for June 17, 2021
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