There’s a lot going on at F&S, and there’s just as much with all the vendors who F&S contracts to do construction and maintenance work. An important request for proposals (RFP) is open now, and for a short time more, for businesses to partner with F&S construction services.

And core to the mission of the university, and at F&S, is attracting vendors owned by underrepresented groups: women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and military veterans.

Starting May 2, F&S construction services is asking for ‘qualified firms’ to provide construction and maintenance work through Illinois-approved purchase orders to complete important projects across campus. The RFP response allows that business to be available to F&S into 2029, while those who do not get accepted this year can submit each year moving forward, instead of waiting five years. These projects are capped at $100,000 for each type of work.

This is a primary function of F&S: gathering permits, bylaws, finding vendors and suppliers, and making it easy for businesses to work with Illinois. And in doing so, emphasize the importance of small businesses in the state, as well as those owned by those who deserve a chance.

In the presentation, Dave Dowler, associate director of construction services, even showed all the attendees how to fill out an important Excel spreadsheet that explains the purpose, expected cost, and other detailed information for each of the businesses capabilities, like the field of work their employees and subcontractors complete.

It is State policy to promote small businesses, diverse businesses and veteran owned businesses and core to the mission of the Illinois System and to F&S is to expand procurement opportunities to these historically underrepresented groups. Providing opportunities for these businesses expands our vendor pool, supports the economic growth of these business impacting our community in which we live, and provides opportunities for these business to grow and potentially support the university in a larger roll through F&S capital projects.

Dave Dowler, F&S associate director of construction services

All steps should be taken in the State of Illinois Procurement Bulletin for Public Institutions of Higher Education here: https://www.procure.stateuniv.state.il.us/.