SBE: Sole Source - INCCRRA - Gateway Scholarship Program

Background
The Illinois State Board of Education is issuing a sole source contract to the Illinois Network of Child Care Resources and Referral Agencies (INCCRRA) to provide funding for the Gateways Scholarship Program. This program aims to support practitioners in early care and education by providing financial assistance for Early Childhood Education and Child Development coursework and degrees. This will increase the number of qualified teachers in ISBE Early Childhood programs.

Work Details
INCCRRA will administer the Gateways Scholarship Program, which offers individual-based scholarships for practitioners working in early care and education. The program provides financial assistance for ECE/CD coursework and degrees from participating colleges and universities. This enables participants to meet requirements for various educator licenses and endorsements, including:
- Early Childhood Endorsement
- Bilingual or ESL Approval/Endorsement
- Early Childhood Special Education Approval/Endorsement
- Infant/Toddler Credential

The total value of the initial term of this contract is $700,000. Scholarships can cover a maximum of 15 semester hours or 23 quarter hours within a contract period not exceeding one year. INCCRRA is responsible for collaborating with over 70 Illinois colleges and universities that participate in this scholarship program.

Period of Performance
The estimated contract will begin on July 1, 2025, and end on June 30, 2026.

Place of Performance
The services will be performed throughout Illinois as the scholarships are available to practitioners across the state.

Bidder Requirements
This is a sole source contract justified by INCCRRA being the only vendor capable of providing these specific scholarship funds due to its established relationships with educational institutions and its unique role in administering the Gateways Scholarship Program.