Section 500.40  Definition of Terms Used in This Part

As used throughout this Part, each term listed in this Section shall have the meaning set forth below unless its use clearly requires a different meaning. Terms may be defined in particular Sections for use in that Section.

            "Bid" − The response to an Invitation for Bids.

            "Bidder" − The person or entity submitting a bid.

            "Brand Name or Equal Specification" − A specification that uses one or more manufacturer's names or catalog numbers to describe the standard of quality, performance, and other characteristics needed to meet OAG requirements, and that allows the submission of equivalent products.

            "Brand Name Specification" − A specification limited to one or more items by manufacturers' names or catalog numbers.

            "Code" − The Illinois Procurement Code [30 ILCS 500].

            "Consulting Services" − Services provided by a business or person an independent contractor to advise and assist the OAG in solving specific management or programmatic problems involving the organization, planning, direction, control or operations of a State agency.  The services may or may not rise to the level of professional and artistic as defined in this Part.

            "Contract" − A contract may be in written or oral form.  The term contract as used in this Part does not include supplies or services the terms governing which are established by tariff of the Illinois Commerce Commission or the Federal Communications Commission.  The term contract includes, but is not limited to, purchase, installment purchase, lease and rental contracts.

            "Contractor" or "Vendor" − The terms contractor and vendor are used interchangeably for purposes of this Part.

            "Day" − Calendar day.  In computing any period of time, the day of the event from which the designated period of time begins to run shall not be included, but the last day of the period shall be included unless it is a Saturday, Sunday, or a State holiday, in which event the period shall run to the end of the next business day.

            "DCMS" or "CMS" − The Department of Central Management Services.

            "Invitation for Bids" or "IFB" − The process by which the OAG requests information from bidders, including all documents, whether attached or incorporated by reference, used for soliciting bids.

            "Items" − Anything that may be procured under this Part.

            "OAG" − The Office of the Auditor General.

            "Offer" − A bid, proposal or response solicited by the OAG.

            Offeror" − The person or entity submitting a bid, proposal or response solicited by the OAG.

            "Procurement Officer" − One or more OAG employees who serve at the direction of the Chief Procurement Officer of the OAG (CPO) and are responsible for conducting OAG procurement activity.

            "Proposal" − The response to a Request for Proposals.

            "Proposer" − The person or entity submitting a proposal.

            "Qualified Products List" − An approved list of supplies described by model or catalog numbers that, prior to competitive solicitation, the OAG has determined will meet the applicable specification requirements.

            "Request for Information" or "RFI" − The process by which the OAG requests information from offerors for OAG contracts for leases of real property or capital improvements.

            "Request for Proposals" or "RFP" − The process by which the OAG requests information from offerors, including all documents, whether attached or incorporated by reference, used for soliciting proposals.

            "Respondent" − The person or entity submitting a response to a Request for Information from the OAG.

            "Response" − A response to a Request for Information.

            "Responsible Offeror" − A person or entity that is capable in all respects of performing fully the contract requirements and has the integrity and reliability that will assure good faith performance.

            "Responsive Offeror" − A person or entity that has submitted an offer conforming in all material respects to the solicitation.

            "Service" − The furnishing of labor, time, or effort by a contractor, not involving the delivery of a specific end product other than reports or supplies that are incidental to the required performance and the financing thereof.

            "Solicitation" − An Invitation for Bids, Request for Proposals or Request for Information.

            "Specification" − Any description of the physical, functional, or performance characteristics, or of the nature of a supply, service or construction item. A specification includes, as appropriate, requirements for inspecting, testing, or preparing a supply, service or construction item for delivery. Unless the context requires otherwise, the terms "specification" and "purchase description" are used interchangeably throughout this Part.

            "Specification for a Common or General Use Item" − A specification that has been developed and approved for repeated use in procurements.

            "Supplies" − All personal property, including but not limited to equipment, materials, printing, and insurance, and the financing of those supplies.