University of Illinois Chicago has a contract with Academic Partnerships awarded under RFP #EWM133, which is an online program management company that will market UIC's online programs, recruit students, and provide course design support. It is projected AP will increase enrollments significantly. To maintain high quality online courses, the vendor will provide academic coaches to support the online faculty of record. The coaches hold a masters degree or greater and experienced professionals in the industry, demonstrating mastery of the content academically and professionally.

The university, on information and belief, has concluded that only one vendor can meet its need or can meet the need economically. That vendor is Instructional Connections, LLC. The university has provided detailed justification to support its conclusion as shown on the attached Sole Source Justification Form.

Although the university has presented this as a sole source procurement, we are seeking competitive information from firms with the capability of meeting the university's need (even if performed in a manner different from what has been presented) to contact us and provide sufficient information to show the need can be met. If we receive that information, the Chief Procurement Officer will offer a public hearing to consider the matter. Hearing information is described below.

All sole source hearings under the jurisdiction of the Chief Procurement Officer for Higher Education will be conducted by tele-conference only until the in-person option is reinstated.

The University has determined that this purchase is only economically available from this source because the item or service is copyrighted or patented and is not available except from the holder of the copyright or patent.