The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is always looking for more Illinois-based companies to perform the work of designing, building and maintaining facilities and land on campus.
A team of attention-detailed F&S Capital Programs experts help businesses cross different thresholds to allow them to bid for work to be done. They are the ones to shepherd the project along, and help contractors earn the opportunity to impact the physical environment across campus.
If you are a business owner in design or construction, there are steps to enter the prequalified contractor system – essentially, a clearinghouse for any business that works with the University System. That’s why professionals from Capital Programs and the University of Illinois System offices of real estate and procurement diversity spoke at this day-long informational event.
Among those from F&S who spoke were Mohamed Sultan, director of Capital Programs, Cheryl Bicknell, associate director of project planning, Dennis Craig, historic preservation officer and planner, and Jonathan Hasselbring, associate director of project management.
Said Sultan to the room of dozens of vendors, representing millions of dollars worth of contracts: “The success of campus capital projects depends on the strong relationship with skilled professionals like you and your expertise, to create special state of the art labs, student housing, classrooms, and sustainable infrastructure, shaping the future of our students. We are committed to sustainable and high quality facilities, whether you are a new or experienced partner, we invite you to join.”
“Our capital programs will walk you through design procurement, construction procurement, and project management processes to enhance the operation and generate success,” Sultan said. “We are dedicated to fair, inclusive, and transparent processes, ensuring that all firms have the opportunity to contribute.”
Chris Rogan operates in a similar manner to Sultan, overseeing the capital programs processes for the University of Illinois System, including three campuses in Chicago, Springfield, and Urbana: “If you’re from the vendor world, if you’re a supplier, if you’re an architect, engineer or contractor, and you do any work with the U. of I. System, you’re going to be doing the same thing; procedures and systems will all be used in the same way.”
Illinois contractors need to register with a few state departments through the Contractor Annual Prequalification Systems (CAPS): the Illinois Department of Human Rights, the Secretary of State Business Services Corporate Search, and the Illinois Board of Elections. Once done with that, the business must complete the contractors certifications and disclosures through the Illinois Procurement Gateway (IPG) Form A or B.
- General Work
- Plumbing Work
- Heating, Piping, Refrigeration and Temperature Control Work
- Ventilation and Air Distribution Work
- Electrical Work
Illinois state procurement code includes an aspirational goal that vendors owned by women, minorities, or those who are disabled should make up for 30% for all work completed by the university; and that veteran-owned businesses should account for at least 3%, as well.
For further details and hyperlinks to other registration information and directions, view this PDF.