SBE: Trainer of Hearing Officers for Tenured Teacher Dismissals

The Illinois State Board of Education is seeking a qualified Offeror to develop and deliver an annual training program for up to 25 potential hearing officers responsible for presiding over teacher dismissal hearings statewide, including those employed by the Chicago Board of Education. The contract, anticipated to be valued between $50,000 and $150,000, extends through June 30, 2028, with the scope encompassing training development, presentation, certification, updates, technical assistance, and assessment reporting. The program must align with Illinois School Code provisions and administrative rules, ensuring hearing officers are well-versed in legal and procedural standards for teacher dismissals under federal and state law. Deliverables include stakeholder consultations, training materials, certification processes, and ongoing program evaluation, with the contractor expected to adapt content to evolving legal requirements and stakeholder feedback. The procurement emphasizes compliance with Illinois-specific statutes, including data privacy laws such as FERPA, ISSRA, and SOPPA, requiring vendors to implement stringent confidentiality and data security measures, including destruction protocols for confidential records and maintaining cyber liability insurance of at least two million dollars. The contract incorporates agency-specific terms, notably defining subcontractors broadly, mandating disclosures, and emphasizing diversity and inclusion goals through a weighted evaluation criterion focused on diversity policies, workforce composition, and subcontracting with minority, women, and disability-owned businesses. Insurance requirements include professional liability coverage and indemnity provisions, while remedies for late performance include liquidated damages capped at 30 days. The agreement also details responsibilities for data ownership, confidentiality, and compliance, with no explicit references to federal FAR clauses, but extensive Illinois statutory and agency-specific conditions governing performance, responsibility, and contractual obligations. Proposals must be submitted electronically via BidBuy before the deadline, with all attachments properly labeled and supporting documentation included, ensuring responsiveness and compliance with the detailed technical, diversity, and pricing criteria.