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. When spending federal Child Nutrition funds, geographical preference is allowed only for unprocessed agricultural food items.
Goods and Services
The board shall enter into goods and services contracts 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 as described below 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 competitive bids for goods and services costing under $5,000 without prior board approval.
- For goods and services costing more than $5,000 and less than $50,000, the superintendent shall receive quotes of the goods and services to be purchased prior to approval of the board.
- For goods and services costing more than $50,000 and less than $130,000, the superintendent shall receive competitive quotes of the goods and services to be purchased prior to approval of the board.
- Competitive sealed bids are required for purchases, other than emergency purchases, for goods and services that cost $130,000 or more, including construction contracts and school buses.
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 may be based on several 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.
The board may elect to exempt certain professional services contracts from the thresholds and procedures outlined above.
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 contracts 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 in part with funds of the governmental entity. This includes 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 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 stated 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 quotations, the district may nevertheless proceed 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 802.3 (Emergency Repairs).
The district shall comply with all federal and state laws and regulations required for procurement, including the selection and evaluation 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 those 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. 25.
Cross Reference: 705 Expenditures
801.4 Site Acquisition
802 Maintenance, Operation and Management
802.3 Emergency Repairs
803 Selling and Leasing
Approved: 8/23/94
Reviewed: 12/08/97; 10/08/01; 10/16/06; 10/12/11; 10/11/16; 10/12/21
Revised: 03/10/08; 1/11/12; 2/09/16; 2/15/23