7.2.1 Competitive Solicitation Process

Policy Statement

A competitive selection process - Invitation for Bid/Request for Proposal (IFB/RFP) - is required at the competitive solicitation threshold. Announcements and advertisements publicize University of Illinois System's requirement and provide the bid due date, time, and place of the opening. Announcements must be advertised on the Illinois Higher Education Procurement Bulletin for a minimum of 14 days. All IFBs/RFPs are publicly opened in the presence of at least one member or officer of the Board of Trustees (BOT) or delegate.

Procedure

Competitive solicitations require collaboration between the unit and the Purchasing Division. There are multiple steps to successfully complete a competitive solicitation. Units should allow at least three months for the IFB process and at least four months for the RFP process.

In addition to the timeline outlined above, commodities, general services, and professional services in the amount of $1,000,000 or more requiring payment by the University of Illinois System in one fiscal year require Board of Trustees (BOT) approval. At this dollar level, units should allow up to three additional months for completion of the BOT approval process and award of contract or purchase order.

Additional Resources

Restricted Items and Purchases Requiring Special Approval
Creating Sealed Bid Specifications
Creating RFP Specifications

Last Updated: August 9, 2017 | Approved: Senior Associate Vice President for Business and Finance | Effective: January 15, 2017