The Board supports economic development in Iowa, particularly in the District community. As permitted by law, purchasing preference will be given to Iowa goods and services from locally-owned businesses located within the District or Iowa-based companies if the cost and other considerations are relatively equal and meet the required specifications. However, when spending federal Child Nutrition Funds, geographical preference is allowed only for unprocessed agricultural food items. Other statutory purchasing preferences will be applied as provided by law, including goals with regard to procurement from certified targeted small businesses, minority-owned businesses, and female-owned businesses.
Goods and Services
The Board shall enter into goods and services contract(s) as the Board deems to be in the best interest of the 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 shall 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 $55,000.
- For goods and services costing at least $3,500 and up to $135,000 informal bidding, the Superintendent shall receive proposals, quotations, or bids for the goods and services to be purchased prior to Board approval. The quotation process may be informal, and include written or unwritten quotations.
- For goods and services exceeding $3,500 the competitive Request for Proposal (RFP) or Competitive Bid process shall be used and received. RFPs and bids are formal, written submissions via sealed process.
In the event that only one quotation or bid is submitted, the Board may proceed if the quotation or bid meets the contract award specifications.
The contract award shall be based on the total cost considerations including, but not limited to the following:
- The cost of the goods and services being purchased;
- Availability of service and/or repair;
- The targeted small business procurement goal and other statutory purchasing preferences; and
- Other factors deemed relevant by the Board.
Food Service Department Purchasing
Food service department purchasing shall conform to the following:
- The Superintendent shall 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 $3,500.
- For goods and services costing at least $3,500 and up to $135,000, the Superintendent shall receive informal bids for proposals, quote, or bids for the goods and services to be purchased prior to Board approval. The quote process may be informal and include written or unwritten quotations.
- For goods and services exceeding $135,000, the competitive Request for Proposal (RFP) or Competitive Bid Process shall be used and received prior to Board approval. RFPs and bids are formal, written submissions.
In the event that only one quote or bid is submitted, the Board may proceed if the quote or bid meets the contract award specifications.
The contract award shall be based on the total cost considerations including, but not limited to the following:
- The cost of the goods and services being purchased;
- Availability of service and/or repair;
- The targeted small business procurement goal and other statutory purchasing preferences; and
- Other factors deemed relevant by the Board.
Purchases using federal child nutrition funds shall be made in accordance with procurement procedures required by law.
The thresholds and procedures related to purchases of goods and services do not apply to public improvement projects.
Public Improvements
The Board shall enter into public improvement contract(s) as the Board deems to be in the best interest of the District. Public improvement means “a building or construction work which is constructed under the control of a governmental entity and is paid for in whole or in part with funds of the governmental entity, including a building or improvement constructed or operated 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 threshold regarding when competitive bidding or competitive quotes are required shall be followed. Competitive bidding is required for public improvement contracts exceeding the minimum threshold stated in law. Competitive quotes 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 quotes, the District may nevertheless proceed with either of these processes.
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 quote thresholds.
The Superintendent may develop an administrative process to implement this policy.
Approved: September 2007
Reviewed: October 2019
Revised: October 2019