Illinois Procurement BulletinPublic Institutions of Higher Education
University of Illinois System
SoleSource #9DGS2602

Announcement of a Sole Source Purchase

Award Info Published Tuesday February 24, 2026

Bank of America, N.A.Charlotte, NC

  • Amount: An estimated $0
  • Terms: An estimated start date of 6/27/2026 through 12/31/2027, 18 months
  • Renewals: None

Summary

Vendors

1 total
0 BEP vendors
0 VBP vendors
0 Small businesses

Comments:
This proposed sole source is for the use of commercial card services as a payment mechanism for accounts payable. The proposed awardee is paid by the merchants that accept the University's commercial card for payment of goods and services through a reduction in the payment made by the proposed awardee to the merchants. Since the University is using the proposed Card Services Program award as a payment mechanism, the estimated award amount is $0.00 as the payments would otherwise be facilitied via another means (e.g check, ach) and the dollars paid to Bank of America are not wholly staying with them.

The University award process may be delayed as this award goes through a state approval process.

The hearing has been cancelled
Published Monday, January 26, 2026
The hearing has been cancelled since no vendors registered to attend or submitted comments regarding this notice.
First published Monday, January 12, 2026
The University awarded a contract for Commercial Card Services Program to Bank of America, N.A., Charlotte, NC, for an estimated $0.
This sole economically feasible source is to extend the commercial card services program awarded under Bulletin reference number 1DGS1501 through the end-date of the Illinois Public Higher Education's (IPHEC) commercial card award published under Bulletin reference number R087176. This will allow the University to align its commercial card program's end-date with the IPHEC award in hopes of consolidation to a single provider under a new IPHEC solicitation.
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. University seeks to transition its commercial card services program to the awardee selected under the IPHEC solicitation that will replace IPHEC's current award under RFP R087176 however, the IPHEC award does not end until 12/31/2027. This is past the end-date of the University's award under 1DGS1501. It would not be economically feasible for the University to conduct an RFP to provide commercial card services for a one and a half year term to bridge these dates, then needing to transition again to a potentially new awardee under IPHEC's replacement solicitation. While the University understands and accepts the potential need to transition from Awardee to a potential newly selected vendor under the IPHEC award, if we are unable to extend the current Awardee's award under this sole source, University may need to duplicate its contracting, testing, re-carding and implementation processes unnecessarily.

See additional justification in Sole Source Justification Form attached.

For instructions on how to obtain a comprehensive purchase description, disclosure or contract forms, contact:
Daniel Szajna
System Purchasing and Support Services
507 E Green Street
Suite 501, MC-407
Champaign, IL 61820
Phone: (217) 333-2650
FAX: (217) 239-6760
Chief Procurement Officer - Bridget McHatton
State Purchasing Officer - Catherine Bradbury

We will hold a public hearing at the date, time and location specified below, if we receive a request to testify regarding the sole source determination. We will also hold a hearing if any vendor submits a signed statement showing the capability to provide the stated supplies/services at or below the amount indicated.

The public hearing allows any interested party the opportunity to testify for or against the sole source determination as described in this notice. The purpose of the hearing is to receive information from the public in a reasonable manner. Formal rules of evidence will not apply. The hearing officer will produce minutes of the hearing and may record it in order to aid in the production of the minutes. After conclusion of the hearing we will decide whether the sole source determination was appropriate.

We must receive any request to testify and any vendor statement no later than the registration date and time indicated below. If we do not receive a timely request or statement, we will not hold the hearing. We reserve the right to cancel the procurement prior to any scheduled hearing. Please confirm the status of the hearing with the Hearing Contact.

Hearing Details

Date:
January 28, 2026
Time:
9:00 AM
Location:
Stratton Building
Room 511
401 S. Spring Street
Springfield, IL

Hearing Contact:
Catherine Bradbury
Phone: (217) 993-2327
E-mail:Catherine.Bradbury@illinois.gov
Additional Information: All sole source hearings under the jurisdiction of the Chief Procurement Officer for Higher Education will be conducted by teleconference.
Date, time, and location are subject to change and/or cancellation. It is the responsibility of potential participants to confirm these details prior to attendance.

Registration

Registration Deadline:
January 23, 2026
Register with:
Catherine Bradbury
Phone: (217) 993-2327
E-mail:Catherine.Bradbury@illinois.gov

The State of Illinois has a policy to encourage prospective vendors to hire qualified veterans, minorities, females, persons with disabilities and ex-offenders.

Documents

To obtain any of the following documents, please log into your Bulletin account.

Sole Source Justification

  • 9DGS2602.pdf (758 KB)

Sole Source Justification Part 2

  • 9DGS2602Pt2.pdf (105 KB)
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