Policy 3323

Business/Non-Instructional Operations

Soliciting Prices (Bids and Quotations)

The Board of Education or its agents shall refrain from entering into contracts with or purchasing goods or services from any firm or individual who has a sales representative or owner on the Board of Education.

All contracts for, and purchases of supplies, materials, equipment and contractual services in the amount of $5,000 or more shall be based, when possible, on at least three competitive bids or proposals.  All purchases greater than $5,000 but less than $50,000 in amount may be made in the open market, but shall, when possible, be based on at least three competitive proposals, quotations or prices.  All purchases made in the open market shall be consummated after careful pricing. In an emergency situation these requirements may be waived by the Superintendent.  The Superintendent shall notify the Board Chairman as soon as possible and the entire Board of Education at the next regularly scheduled meeting.

All contracts and all open market orders will be awarded to the lowest responsible qualified contractor or supplier, taking into consideration all of the factors set forth in policy #3320.

When bidding procedures are used, bids or RFPs (Request for Proposals) shall be advertised in the area newspapers for at least one day.  The Director of Business shall direct placement of advertisement.  When specifications are prepared, they will be sent to all vendors who have indicated an interest in bidding on the items or services being bid.

All bids/RFPs must be submitted in sealed envelopes, addressed to the Director of Business and plainly marked with the name of the bid/RFP and the time of the opening.  Bids/RFPs shall be opened at the time specified and all bidders and other interested persons may be present.

The school district reserves the right to reject any or all bids/RFPs and to accept that bid/RFP which appears to be in the best interest of the Town.  The Board reserves the right to waive any informalities in, or reject, any or all bids/RFPs or any part of any bid.  Any bid may be withdrawn prior to the scheduled time for the opening of bids.  Any bid received after the time and date specified shall not be considered.

(cf. 3320 – Purchasing Procedures)

Legal Reference:    Connecticut General Statutes

Policy adopted:    July 21, 2016    
NEWTOWN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, Newtown, Connecticut 

 
Business/Non-Instructional Operations

Purchasing – Bids, Quotations, Proposals

Where it appears in the interest of the Newtown Board of Education, the Board may, at its option, elect to participate in joint bidding operations with other boards of education, cooperatives, or municipalities.  In addition, purchases may be made by use of State of Connecticut contract pricing as opposed to using a formal bid process.  State pricing agreements may also be used as a benchmark in evaluating bids and proposals. 

If opportunity exists and costs appear beneficial to the Newtown school system, the Board may act to utilize existing bid prices for the Town of Newtown or other towns and schools as an alternative to bidding independently. 

Bids/RFPs may entail definition of specific quantities or may solicit prices only on a unit basis.  When bid quantities are advertised or specified, every effort should be made to fulfill this commitment. However, allowable alternatives to the formal bid process, such as those defined in Sections 5 and 6 below, shall not be used in such a way to limit quantity or total expense so that the categorical qualifications set forth in Section 7 are avoided. 

Items that specifically merit bidding on a yearly basis because of the absolute magnitude of their purchase include, but are not restricted to: 
Solicitation for written proposals may be substituted for a bid process when both the Director of Business and the Superintendent agree that the interest of the Newtown schools would best be served because of:
This practice will require that a minimum of there (3) written proposals are secured, with a stipulation to hold price for thirty (30) days or more.
 
The proposal concept will be valid for expenditures up to $50,000. Except in emergency situations that relate to the health and welfare of students and staff, any expenditure over the above-stated $50,000 limit will require bids or formal proposals.

In order to determine the relative merits of the apparent best proposal, the party soliciting the prices may utilize comparative data from surrounding towns and schools where such practice is reasonable.  Items similar in nature to contracted repairs, maintenance, or installation would be sourced through proposals.

In cases involving a purchase order that does not exceed $5000 a minimum of three quotations via telephone, catalog and/or electronic communication should be obtained in order to determine availability and lowest cost. The results of such polling must be recorded and a copy of the record filed with the purchase order resulting from this process. 

For all items or contracted work exceeding $50,000 in total cost, the award will be approved by the Board prior to notification of the winner.  For any purchase or service not specifically provided for in the description above or the budget, all procedures, other than in an emergency, must abide by the bid limits and processes described in this document. If an emergency occurs, it shall be reported to the Board of Education Chairman immediately and to the Board at the next regular meeting.

Items exempt from bidding or Request for Proposals include:
Whenever an initial bid is awarded, the Board may consider extending it for one year if: 

Regulation approved:    July 21, 2016    
NEWTOWN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, Newtown, Connecticut