The board supports economic development in Iowa. Purchases by the school district will be made in Iowa for Iowa goods and services from a locally-owned business located within the school district or from an Iowa-based company which offers these goods or services if the cost and other considerations are relatively equal and they meet the required specifications. However, when spending federal Child Nutrition Funds, geographical preference is allowed only for unprocessed agricultural food items as part of response evaluation. Other statutory purchasing preferences will be applied as applied by law, including goals and reporting with regard to procurement from certified targeted small businesses, minority-owned businesses and female-owned businesses.
The board shall enter into goods and services contract(s) as the board deems to be in the best interest of the school district. It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent to approve purchases, except those requiring board approval or as provided by in law. The superintendent may coordinate and combine purchases with other governmental bodies to take advantage of volume price breaks. Joint purchases with other political subdivisions will be considered in the purchase of equipment, accessories, or attachments with an estimated cost of $50,000 or more.
Purchases for goods and services shall conform to the following:
- The superintendent will have the authority to authorize purchases without prior board approval and without competitive request for proposals, quotations, or bids for goods and services up to $25,000.
- For goods and services costing more than $25,000 and up to $50,000 informal bidding, the superintendent shall receive proposals, quotations, or bids for the goods and services to be written or unwritten quotations.
- For goods and services exceeding $50,000 the competitive request for proposal (RFP) or competitive bid process shall be used and received prior to board approval. RFP’s and bids are formal, written submissions via sealed process.
- The purchase will be made from the lowest responsible bidder based upon total cost considerations including, but not limited to, the cost of the goods and services being purchased, availability of service and/or repair, delivery date, the targeted small business procurement goal and other factors deemed relevant by the board.
- The board and the superintendent will have the right to reject any or all bids, or any part thereof, and to re-advertise. If it is determined that a targeted small business which bid on the project may be unable to perform the contract, the superintendent will notify the Department of Economic Development. The board will enter into such contract or contracts as the board deems in the best interests of the school district.
Public Improvement
The board shell enter into public improvement contract(s) as the board deems to be in the best interest of the school district. "Public improvement" means "a building or construction work which is constructed under the control of a governmental entity and for which either of the following applies: (1) has been paid for in whole or in part with funds of the governmental entity; (2) a commitment has been made prior to construction by the governmental entity to pay for the building or construction work in whole or impart with funds of the governmental entity. This includes a building or improvement constructed jointly with any public or private agency."
The district shall follow all requirements, timelines, and processes detailed in Iowa law related to public improvement projects. The thresholds regarding when competitive bidding or competitive quotations is required will be followed. Competitive bidding is required for public improvement contracts exceeding the minimum threshold state in law. Competitive quotations are required for public improvement projects that exceed the minimum threshold amount stated in law, but do not exceed the minimum set for competitive bidding. The board shall approve competitive bids and competitive quotes. If the total cost of the public improvement does not warrant either competitive bidding or competitive or quotations, the district may nevertheless process with either of these processes, if it so chooses.
The award of all contracts for the public improvement shall be awarded to the lowest responsive, responsible bidder. In the event of an emergency requiring repairs to a school district facility that exceed bidding and quotation thresholds, please refer to policy 802.3; Emergency Repairs.
The district shall comply with all federal and state laws and regulations required for procurement, including the selection and revaluation of contractors. The superintendent or designee is responsible for developing an administrative process to implement this policy, including, but not limited to, procedures related to suspension and debarment for transactions subject to these requirements.
Legal Reference:
Iowa Code §§ 26; 28E; 72.3; 73; 73A; 285; 297; 301.
261 I.A.C. 54.
281 I.A.C. 43.25.
481 I.A.C.
Approved:
September 19, 2011
Reviewed: June 12, 2023
Revised :
September 10, 2018
March 13, 2023
