Section 4.2033  Best Value Procurements

a)         Definition − A best value procurement means a contract award determined by objective criteria related to price, features, functions, and life-cycle costs that may include:

1)         total cost of ownership, including warranty, under which all repair costs are borne solely by the warranty provider; repair costs; maintenance costs; fuel consumption; and salvage value;

2)         product performance, productivity, and safety standards;

3)         the supplier's ability to perform to the contract requirements; and

4)         environmental benefits, including reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, reduction of air pollutant emissions, or reduction of toxic or hazardous materials.

b)         A best value source selection may only be used for purchases of heavy mobile fleet vehicles and off-road construction equipment.  The total annual value of vehicles and equipment purchased through the best value source selection shall not exceed $20,000,000 per university.  [30 ILCS 500/25-85]  Each university shall track expenditures made under this method of source selection and shall report annually the cumulative value of these expenditures to the CPO-HE.

c)         A best value procurement shall be conducted in accordance with Section 4.2015 (Competitive Sealed Proposals). In addition to the requirements of Section 4.2015, the solicitation document shall:

1)         Specify what performance factors will be given weighted value. 

2)         Identify all evaluation factors to be used in determining the successful offeror. 

3)         Give substantial weight to pricing in the evaluation of the successful offeror.

d)         Award will be made to the offeror proposing the best combination of performance, qualifications, price and other factors identified in the evaluation criteria.

e)         In addition to the publication requirements contained in Section 4.1525(d) (Bulletin Content), upon the written request of any person or entity that submitted an offer, notice of award shall be posted 24 hours in advance of contract execution in a public place at the offices of the university.  The solicitation document shall identify where the notice of award shall be posted.

f)         Protests may be filed by any person or entity that submitted an offer and will be conducted in accordance with Section 4.5550 (Protests).  Within 10 days after filing a protest, the protesting offeror shall file a full and complete statement with the CPO-HE or Protest Review Officer identifying the grounds for the protest and any facts in support of the protest.

(Source:  Added at 43 Ill. Reg. 1781, effective February 15, 2019)