Illinois officials negotiating with Ecosse were not aware that to consummate the purchase of the flu vaccine, a contract was necessary. Not until almost three weeks after the State agreed to purchase the flu vaccine, did the Special Advocate negotiating the purchase become aware that a contract was needed to purchase the vaccine. On November 10, 2004, the Special Advocate indicated, in an e-mail to an official at the Department of Public Aid,
“…I have been talking to the Budget Office, the Dep. Governor, etc. and nobody has said word one about a contract. We have been told several times, the payment would be processed COD. If someone needs a contract, then you or someone else needs to get it done without delay….”
The contract entered into between the State and Ecosse was not timely.
– The contract with Ecosse to purchase 254,250 doses of the influenza vaccine was signed on January 13, 2005 by an official from the Governor’s Office, which was 2 days after Ecosse submitted a billing for the vaccine of approximately $2.6 million.
– State officials signed the contract 6 days prior to Ecosse officials signing the contract on January 19, 2005. The term of the contract was for the period October 20, 2004 through June 30, 2005.
– The amount of the State’s obligation under the contract was estimated to be $2,592,218. This is the exact amount billed by Ecosse to the State on an invoice
dated January 11, 2005 ? 8 days prior to Ecosse signing the contract with the State.
That’s just a start.