Announcement of an Exempt Purchase

This is a comprehensive service contract for advanced Ophthalmic Surgical Systems located in the Specialty Care Building and various other campus locations. The agreement includes both repair services and preventative maintenance to ensure consistent, high-performance operation and system reliability. Covered equipment includes:

This purchase is exempt from the usual selection processes of the Procurement Code because the procurement expenditure is for membership in professional, academic, research, or athletic organizations on behalf of a public institution of higher education, an employee of a public institution of higher education, or a student at a public institution of higher education. (30 ILCS 500 / 1-13(b)(1)) If not approved, the equipment currently maintained by Alcon would no longer be covered under a Service and Support Agreement. As a result, any necessary repairs would be billed at time and materials rates, likely increasing costs significantly. Additionally, the systems would miss critical software updates and scheduled maintenance, which could negatively affect their performance, reliability, and overall lifespanpotentially disrupting essential services.