26-586SBE-FINAN-B-49934 | SBE: Trainer of Hearing Officers for Tenured Teacher Dismissals

The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) is seeking a qualified offeror to provide annual training for up to 25 potential hearing officers who preside over dismissal hearings for tenured teachers and principals in Illinois. The contract, valued at 900,000 dollars, runs from the date of execution through June 30, 2028. The selected vendor will be responsible for developing a training program compliant with the Illinois School Code and Administrative Code, delivering a four to six hour presentation annually between July 1 and September 30, and providing ongoing technical assistance and assessment reporting. Key deliverables include an initial draft of the program within the first 3 to 5 months, the incorporation of stakeholder feedback, and the certification of hearing officer completion. To be eligible, vendors must be accredited by a national arbitration organization and possess at least five years of experience in labor and employment relations. The award is based on best value, evaluating the proposed technical solution, pricing, and a commitment to diversity. Mandatory insurance requirements include professional liability coverage of 1 million dollars and cyber liability coverage of 2 million dollars. Additionally, the vendor must adhere to strict data privacy standards, including compliance with FERPA, ISSRA, and SOPPA. All proposals must be submitted via BidBuy, and vendors must provide appropriate disclosure forms to ensure eligibility and compliance with the Illinois Procurement Code.