File:  DJE - PROCUREMENT REQUIREMENTS

All purchases of materials and equipment and all contracts for construction or maintenance will conform to the requirements of law. Any contract between the District and a vendor is subject to procurement requirements, whether the District or another entity completes the purchase.

To foster greater efficiency, the District will enter into state and local intergovernmental agreements where appropriate for procurement or use of common or shared services.

For any supply or service over $50,000, bids will be advertised appropriately. Suppliers will be invited to have their names placed on distribution lists to receive invitations to bid. When specifications are prepared, they will be distributed to all merchants and firms who have indicated an interest in bidding.

All bids will be submitted in sealed envelopes, addressed to the Superintendent and plainly marked with the name of the bid and the time of the bid opening. Bids will be opened in public at the time specified, and all bidders will be invited to be present.

Any bid maybe withdrawn prior to the scheduled time for the opening of the bids.

Any bid received after the time and date specified will not be considered. All bids will remain firm for a period of 30 days after opening.

The contract will be awarded to the responsive and responsible bidder offering the lowest price for the supplies/services specified in the Invitation to Bid. The bidder to whom an award is made may be required to enter into a written contract with the school district.

The Chief Purchasing Officer may, if it would best serve district interest, use a Request for Proposals, instead of the above process.

A procurement for a supply or service in the amount of $10,000 or greater by not more than $50,000 shall be awarded to the responsible party offering the needed quantity or supply among three written quotations sought and retained by the procurement officer.

A procurement in the amount of $10,000 or less shall be obtained through the exercise of sound business practices.

SOURCE: MASC Updated 2023

LEGAL REF.: M.G.L. 7:22A; 7:22B; 30:39M: 30B

CROSS REF.: DJA, Purchasing Authority

NOTE: Chapter 198 of the Acts of 2022 lifted the thresholds for both written quotations and for bids for school districts ONLY from $50,000 to $100,000. The School Committee of a municipal district conducting all of its own purchasing may choose to lift the caps above at its discretion.
In order for districts in which purchasing is conducted by the municipal purchasing department to do so, the municipality may, per the Office of the Inspector General,  1) change the procurement policy to decentralize the procurement function so the school department can conduct its own procurement process; OR 2) make a limited policy change by using the Chief Purchasing Officer's delegation to revert some school-related procurements back to the school department); OR 3) keep a centralized process but the CPO can make separate purchases for the school department using the higher school-related thresholds. If none of these occur, the Committee must keep the thresholds as they stand.

NOTE: Town or city charters may contain related provisions. If so, appropriate citations should be added to the legal references.