TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF DECEMBER 4, 2025
COMMITTEE ON PROCUREMENT
Mr. John P. Murray, Executive Director
Title
Authorization to enter into agreements with Consultadd Inc., CCS Learning Academy, Educational Data Systems, Inc. (EDSI), Illinois Institute of Technology, Lake Forest Graduate School of Management, and Nova Collective LLC, pursuant to Contract 24-RFP-10 Agreements for Professional Development Program for Management Development and Information Technology, Account 101-25000-601100
Body
Dear Sir:
Authorization is requested to enter into agreements with Consultadd Inc., CCS Learning Academy, Educational Data Systems, Inc. (EDSI), Illinois Institute of Technology, Lake Forest Graduate School of Management, and Nova Collective LLC to develop and deliver various continuing professional development courses for the District for a three-year period.
The purpose of this contract is to select universities, consultants or other organizations experienced in the development and delivery of professional training to provide courses and seminars for management development and information technology on a variety of topics over a three-year period. This is an indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract to provide specialized training on an as-needed basis. The courses and workshops are typically one (1) to five (5) days in duration and cover introductory to advanced level topics. The delivery of the training courses will be either in-person or on-line, depending on the courses or workshops. The goal is to meet the training needs for the 1) Management Development Training Program; and 2) Information Technology Training Program for professional employees in the Finance, General Administration, Human Resources, Information Technology, Law, Procurement and Materials Management, and Treasury Departments.
All services will be delivered during the three-year contract period.
On March 19, 2025, Request for Proposal 24-RFP-10 Agreements for Professional Development Program for Management Development and Information Technology was advertised. Three hundred thirty-six (336) firms were notified, and fifty-nine (59) firms requested proposal documents. The District received ten (10) proposals on April 18, 2025, from the following vendors: CCS Learning Academy, Consortium for Educational Research and Advancement (CERA), Consultadd Inc., Educational Data Systems, Inc. (EDSI), General Assembly, H7 Business Learning Services, Illinois Institute of Technology, Lake Forest Graduate School of Management, Nova Collective LLC and Sarder Inc.
The proposals were evaluated by staff from the Human Resources Department, the Information Technology Department, and the Procurement and Materials Management Department. The criteria for these evaluations were outlined in request for proposal 24-RFP-10 and included: understanding of the project, approach to the work, experience completing projects of similar scope, technical competence, and cost. Based on the initial evaluation, six (6) vendors were invited to participate in the finalist interviews.
The finalist interviews were held on August 28-29, 2025. On October 8, 2025, a solicitation was sent to the finalists requesting an unqualified “best and final” offer. The “best and final” offers were returned to the Director of Procurement and Materials Management on October 10, 2025.
After the overall evaluation of the proposers, CCS Learning Academy, Consultadd Inc., Educational Data Systems, Inc. (EDSI), Illinois Institute of Technology, Lake Forest Graduate School of Management, and Nova Collective LLC are recommended to develop and deliver various continuing professional development courses for the District.
Master agreements have been established for 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 qualified 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 non-engineering topics such as forecasting techniques for financial/management analysts; strategic planning; business and technical writing; asset management theory, practical guidance, and specific methods to improve and enhance an asset management program; training for information technology professionals in the use, management, and implementation of effective technology solutions; ITIL and COBIT certifications.
As specific training needs are identified, Consultadd Inc., CCS Learning Academy, Educational Data Systems, Inc. (EDSI), Illinois Institute of Technology, Lake Forest Graduate School of Management, and Nova Collective LLC 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 this request for proposal (24-RFP-10) establishes the cost for all such proposals.
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 funds budgeted by the department(s) receiving the training.
The Diversity Section reviewed the request for proposal to determine if Affirmative Action Ordinance Revised Appendix A goals will apply. Pursuant to the District's Affirmative Action Appendix A - Consultant Contract at Section 4. Contract Goals (a), Affirmative Action participation goals are applicable where the total approved expenditure exceeds $100,000.00. Given that none of the individual contracts for these training services will exceed $100,000.00, Appendix A does not apply. Its exclusion is also based upon the determination that services associated with this project do not offer practical or cost-effective opportunities for direct or indirect subcontracting.
Inasmuch as the educational institutions and training organizations possess a high degree of professional skill and experience in the required training development and delivery, it is recommended that the Director of Procurement and Materials Management be authorized to enter into agreements with Consultadd Inc., CCS Learning Academy, Educational Data Systems, Inc. (EDSI), Illinois Institute of Technology, Lake Forest Graduate School of Management, and Nova Collective LLC per Section 11.4 of the Purchasing Act.
Requested, Thaddeus J. Kosowski, Director of Human Resources, TJK:TP:JCS
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 December 4, 2025
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