AACPS Home>>Purchasing>>Operating/Bid Procedures

Purchasing Office Anne Arundel County Joint Municipality Brochure Anne Arundel County Joint Municipality Brochure (espanol)   Operating Procedures The Purchasing Office's operating procedures are governed by, among other authority, the State Education article and the Board of Education Policies & Regulations.    Bid Procedures Category I: $5,000 or less of Purchasing Competition required at the discretion of the Supervisor of Purchasing. Category II: More than $5,000 but not more than $25,000 requires three verbal or written competition.  Category III:    More than $25,000 requires competitive bidding process.      Category II Procedures In accordance with the restrictions identified above, 3 verbal or written quotes are needed for requirements exceeding $5,000 but not more than $25,000.  The State of Maryland’s eMarylandMarketplace is often used to perform this function.  It can be reached using the following link: https://ebidmarketplace.com/.     Sealed Competitive Processes Category III procurements require the use of the "Sealed Competitive Bid" or "Competitive Sealed Proposal" process. Choice of process will be determined in accordance with state law, local board policy, and the needs of the school system. A Competitive Sealed Bid is awarded on the basis of the lowest evaluated price. A Competitive Sealed Proposal is awarded through a weighted evaluation of a technical and price proposal or, in the case of A & E Services, through a weighted evaluation of a technical proposal and negotiation of price. In either case, pre-bid/proposal conferences may be utilized to provide the interested vendor/contractor with an opportunity to ask questions, view the site, and, in general, to provide an understanding of the overall objective of the solicitation. Pre-bid/proposal conferences are not mandatory, HOWEVER, we strongly urge that you attend when offered. In the case of either process, procurements over $25,000 must be advertised for a minimum of ten working days. Response times may vary depending on the solicitation requirements. The first choices of advertisement are listed on our advertising page.      Minority & Small Business Office The MSBE Office is managed under the supervision of the Chief Operating Officer, Alex Szachnowicz.  Questions can be directed to the Financial Compliance Specialist, Esther A. Leslie Avery at 410-222-5200 or eavery@aacps.org.