PURCHASING AND BIDDING
The official budget document shall be considered as the authority for all expenditures which are made during the fiscal year. The principal concern of the School Board shall be that the overall expenditure for any fiscal period shall not exceed the budgeted amount for any one fund. Categorical breakdowns within funds shall be used primarily for budget control for the current fiscal year and for future budget planning.
The Superintendent of Schools shall approve all purchases made in the name of the School District except those authorized by direct action of the School Board.
Competitive sealed bids shall be required for construction of school facilities or nonemergency repairs when the cost is $25,000 or more. Competitive sealed bids shall be required for purchases of textbooks and supplies other than from publishers in accordance with Sections 301.7 and 301.8, Iowa Code.
For all other purchases when the cost is in excess of $5,000 for one item or a group of related items, the administration will obtain bids or quotations, for the purpose of comparing basic cost. The award of contract shall be to the lowest responsible bidder meeting the specifications. The District reserves the right to enter into such contract or contracts as shall be deemed to be in the best interests of the school district. The administration will recommend to the Board from whom the purchase should be made, with reasons briefly stated whenever the recommendation is not for the lowest bid or quotation.
It shall be the policy of the School District to purchase products and services from within the district community whenever justified by total cost considerations including basic cost of item(s) being purchased, availability of service and/or repair, delivery date, and related concerns.
In addition, when practical, the School District will endeavor to coordinate and combine purchases with other governmental bodies to take advantage of volume price breaks.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code Sections 297.7, 297.8, 301.7, 301.8, 301.10,73.1, 23.18
Cross References: 902.3 Emergency Repairs
901.10 Construction Contract Bidding
Adopted: February 10, 1986
Reviewed: March 8, 1999
July 19, 2004
February , 2009
February 17, 2014