What is public purchasing? - ANSWER The process of procuring goods and services for
public purposes in accordance with law and procedures that are intended to result in the
economical expenditure of public funds.
What are mandatory bid items? - ANSWER Bid Guarantee, Surety Certificate, Statement
of Corporate Ownership, Listing of Subcontractors, Acknowledgement of Addenda, Iran Dis-
closure, McBride Disclosure, Ukraine/Russia Disclosure.
When is a bid guarantee needed? - ANSWER Only needed when a contract is valued in
excess of $100,000.
What forms can a bid guarantee take? - ANSWER A bid bond, a certified check, a money
order, or a cashier's check.
What is the purpose of a bid guarantee? - ANSWER To guarantee that the bidder will en-
ter into the contract.
What is the bid threshold for contracts? - ANSWER $17,500, which may be awarded by a
purchasing agent if the total does not exceed this amount in a contract year.
How often is the bid threshold adjusted? - ANSWER Every 5 years, no later than March
1st.
What happens if a bidder has prior negative experience? - ANSWER They can be disquali-
fied for up to 5 years.
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, What is the definition of emergencies and exigencies in public contracting? - ANSWER
Contracts may be negotiated or awarded without public advertising when an emergency af-
fecting public health, safety, or welfare requires immediate delivery of goods or services.
What does aggregation refer to in public purchasing? - ANSWER The sums expended for
the provision of goods or services for the same immediate purpose or task during the same
contract year.
What are pay to play laws? - ANSWER Laws that require a fair and open process for con-
tracts over $17,500 if the contractor has made political contributions.
What is competitive contracting? - ANSWER A method of contracting for specialized
goods and services where formal proposals are solicited and evaluated.
When should competitive contracting be used? - ANSWER For procurement of specialized
goods and services exceeding the bid threshold.
What is value engineering in contracts? - ANSWER Allows for construction change orders
to be approved after the award of contracts exceeding $5,000,000.
What are the types of contracts in public purchasing? - ANSWER Goods and Services,
Construction, Solid Waste, Professional Services, Multiple year contracts, Concession.
What is the maximum duration for goods and services contracts? - ANSWER No more
than 2 years.
What is the maximum duration for solid waste contracts? - ANSWER No more than 5
years.
What is a concession in public purchasing? - ANSWER The granting of a license or right to
act on behalf of the contracting unit.
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public purposes in accordance with law and procedures that are intended to result in the
economical expenditure of public funds.
What are mandatory bid items? - ANSWER Bid Guarantee, Surety Certificate, Statement
of Corporate Ownership, Listing of Subcontractors, Acknowledgement of Addenda, Iran Dis-
closure, McBride Disclosure, Ukraine/Russia Disclosure.
When is a bid guarantee needed? - ANSWER Only needed when a contract is valued in
excess of $100,000.
What forms can a bid guarantee take? - ANSWER A bid bond, a certified check, a money
order, or a cashier's check.
What is the purpose of a bid guarantee? - ANSWER To guarantee that the bidder will en-
ter into the contract.
What is the bid threshold for contracts? - ANSWER $17,500, which may be awarded by a
purchasing agent if the total does not exceed this amount in a contract year.
How often is the bid threshold adjusted? - ANSWER Every 5 years, no later than March
1st.
What happens if a bidder has prior negative experience? - ANSWER They can be disquali-
fied for up to 5 years.
1
, What is the definition of emergencies and exigencies in public contracting? - ANSWER
Contracts may be negotiated or awarded without public advertising when an emergency af-
fecting public health, safety, or welfare requires immediate delivery of goods or services.
What does aggregation refer to in public purchasing? - ANSWER The sums expended for
the provision of goods or services for the same immediate purpose or task during the same
contract year.
What are pay to play laws? - ANSWER Laws that require a fair and open process for con-
tracts over $17,500 if the contractor has made political contributions.
What is competitive contracting? - ANSWER A method of contracting for specialized
goods and services where formal proposals are solicited and evaluated.
When should competitive contracting be used? - ANSWER For procurement of specialized
goods and services exceeding the bid threshold.
What is value engineering in contracts? - ANSWER Allows for construction change orders
to be approved after the award of contracts exceeding $5,000,000.
What are the types of contracts in public purchasing? - ANSWER Goods and Services,
Construction, Solid Waste, Professional Services, Multiple year contracts, Concession.
What is the maximum duration for goods and services contracts? - ANSWER No more
than 2 years.
What is the maximum duration for solid waste contracts? - ANSWER No more than 5
years.
What is a concession in public purchasing? - ANSWER The granting of a license or right to
act on behalf of the contracting unit.
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