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 $15,000 verbal or written competition required.
Category III:	More than $10,001 but not more than $15,000 written competition required.

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 $15,000 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.