State Employees' Retirement System of Illinois - Representation of SERS Members During Social Security Disability Process - # 26001 (2026)
State Retirement Systems of Illinois | State of IllinoisState · Springfield, IL- Due
- Feb 9, 2026
- Deadline passed
- Posted
- Jan 13, 2026
- Contract term
- 5 years
- Primary contact
- Robert Cooper
- (217) 785-7016
The 30-second brief
The State Employees' Retirement System of Illinois (SERS) requests proposals for legal representation and assistance for not less than 80% of referred SERS non-occupational and temporary disability benefit recipients to apply for Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits. The selected vendor will assist members with form completion, information gathering, claim tracking, and hearing preparation and attendance until awarded or denied on appeal by an SSA Administrative Law Judge. The contract term is 5 years, with approximately 20 member referrals per month. Proposals are due by 2:00 p.m. CST on February 9, 2026, and must be submitted to Robert Cooper, Director of Administrative Services, at 2101 S. Veterans Parkway, Springfield, IL 62704.
Responsiveness and responsibility, understanding of services requested, capacity to provide required services (staff qualifications and relevant experience with state retirement systems and SSA process), quality and conciseness of proposal, soundness of approach and quality of services, cost
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Summary
The State Employees' Retirement System of Illinois (SERS) requests proposals for legal representation and assistance for not less than 80% of referred SERS non-occupational and temporary disability benefit recipients to apply for Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits.
The selected vendor will assist members with form completion, information gathering, claim tracking, and hearing preparation and attendance until awarded or denied on appeal by an SSA Administrative Law Judge. The contract term is 5 years, with approximately 20 member referrals per month. Proposals are due by 2:00 p.m. CST on February 9, 2026, and must be submitted to Robert Cooper, Director of Administrative Services, at 2101 S. Veterans Parkway, Springfield, IL 62704.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
Responsiveness and responsibility, understanding of services requested, capacity to provide required services (staff qualifications and relevant experience with state retirement systems and SSA process), quality and conciseness of proposal, soundness of approach and quality of services, cost
REQUIRED ATTACHMENTS
11- Reference Authorization Letter
- Minimum Qualifications Certification
- Fee Proposal
- Business and Directory Information
- IDHR Public Contracts Number
- Authorized to Transact Business or Conduct Affairs in Illinois
- Standard Illinois Certifications
- State Board of Elections
- Disclosure of Business Operations in Iran
- Financial Disclosures and Conflicts of Interest
- Taxpayer Identification Number
- Submit to
- Robert Cooper, State Retirement Systems, Director of Administrative Services, 2101 S. Veterans Parkway, Springfield, IL 62704
- Scope location
- Springfield, IL
- Reported agency
- State Employees' Retirement System of Illinois
Questions about this RFP
How do I respond to this RFP from State Retirement Systems of Illinois | State of Illinois?
Review the full solicitation document for submission requirements, evaluation criteria, and deadlines. The submission deadline is February 9, 2026. Be sure to include all required attachments as outlined in the solicitation. Submissions should be delivered to: Robert Cooper, State Retirement Systems, Director of Administrative Services, 2101 S. Veterans Parkway, Springfield, IL 62704. For questions, contact Robert Cooper.
Can small businesses or minority-owned firms bid on this RFP?
Most government agencies, including State Retirement Systems of Illinois | State of Illinois in IL, encourage participation from small businesses, minority-owned, women-owned, and disadvantaged business enterprises (MBE/WBE/DBE). Check the full solicitation for any small business participation goals.
What happens after the RFP submission deadline?
After the deadline, the issuing agency reviews all submissions against the stated evaluation criteria. This typically includes a compliance check, technical evaluation, cost analysis, and may involve oral presentations with shortlisted vendors.
Can I ask questions about this solicitation before submitting?
Yes, most solicitations allow vendors to submit questions during a designated period. The primary contact is Robert Cooper at (217) 785-7016. Questions and answers are typically shared with all prospective bidders.
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What are the evaluation criteria for this solicitation?
This solicitation includes specific evaluation criteria that will be used to score proposals. The criteria include: "Responsiveness and responsibility, understanding of services requested, capacity to provide required services (staff qualifications and relevant experience with state retirement systems and SSA proces..." Vendors should carefully align their proposals with each criterion to maximize their score.
Where can I find more RFPs from State Retirement Systems of Illinois | State of Illinois?
All active and historical solicitations from State Retirement Systems of Illinois | State of Illinois are tracked and searchable. As a state agency, State Retirement Systems of Illinois | State of Illinois regularly publishes solicitations. Visit the agency profile to see current open bids, past contracts, vendor relationships, and decision-maker contacts.
What is the contract term for this solicitation?
The anticipated contract term is 5 years. Contract terms may include renewal options.
What documents are required to bid on this RFP?
Requirements vary by solicitation, but common documents include a technical proposal, cost/price proposal, proof of insurance, relevant certifications, past performance references, and any forms specified in the solicitation. This solicitation specifically requires the following attachments: Reference Authorization Letter, Minimum Qualifications Certification, Fee Proposal, Business and Directory Information, IDHR Public Contracts Number, Authorized to Transact Business or Conduct Affairs. Review the full document from State Retirement Systems of Illinois | State of Illinois for the complete list.
What is the scope of this project?
This solicitation defines a specific project scope. The scope covers the following locations: Springfield, IL. Review the full solicitation for detailed scope requirements.