RFB 26-021 UTILITY BILL DEBT COLLECTIONS

The City of East St. Louis, Illinois is seeking a licensed collection agency to manage delinquent municipal utility accounts. The contractor will issue written and electronic notices, conduct telephone outreach, perform skip‑tracing, negotiate payment plans, report to credit bureaus where permissible, and recommend litigation for non‑paying accounts. Monthly performance reports are required, and all activities must comply with the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, Illinois Collection Agency Act, and related consumer‑protection statutes. The contract is expected to run for three years with possible renewals, and compensation will be primarily contingency‑based, subject to negotiation. • Scope: full‑service utility debt collection (notices, calls, skip‑tracing, negotiations, credit reporting, litigation referrals) • Minimum qualifications: ≥5 years municipal/utility collection experience, active Illinois collection license, clean regulatory record, adequate staffing/technology • Compensation: contingency percentage plus any agreed‑upon fees; litigation cost structure disclosed separately • Evaluation criteria: experience, compliance, methodology, cost, references • Submission: sealed proposals marked “RFP – Utility Bill Debt Collection Services” due by 2:00 PM March 30 2026 • Contract term: 3 years, optional renewals