The Illinois Secretary of State is giving notice of intent to award a contract as a Sole Source/Sole Economically Feasible Source to Counting Opinions for the following: The exact software and services are unique to Counting Opinions. The State Library has already invested time and effort in assuring staff at approximately 1,800 library locations are familiar with and capable of using this service. Training of staff to use a possible alternative would be a significant and costly undertaking. The hearing will be cancelled unless an interested party submits written comments or makes a written request for public hearing by Monday, September 23, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. If a public hearing is requested, ILSOS shall present testimony for or against the awarding of a sole source contract. The purpose of this hearing will be to receive information from the public as to whether a contract award by Sole Source is appropriate and in accordance with the Illinois Procurement Code. Formal rules of evidence will not apply. Hearings may be recorded in order to aid in the production of minutes. Parties may submit written comments in lieu of attending the hearing. Written comments will be afforded the same weight as oral comments received at hearing. After consideration of the testimony, the Chief Procurement Officer may approve the request to contract by the sole source procurement method

The University has determined that this purchase is only economically available from this source because the compatibility of equipment, accessories, replacement parts, or service is a paramount consideration.