Competitive Bidding Requirement/Problems

I. Statutory Requirements

        a. School Code (105 ILCS 5/10-20.21)

        b. Expenditure exceeding $10,000.00

        c. Notice Requirements

II Commonly used Statutory Exceptions

        a. Professional Skill

        b. Revisions not in excess of 10% of contract price

        c. Contracts for goods/services procurable from only one source

        d. Perishable food/beverage

        e. Data processing/telecommunications

        f. Copy machine/supplies

        g. Contract for repair/remodel/construction/project not exceeding $20,000 or changing size of facility

        h. Emergency (need 3/4ths approval)

III Architect/Engineer/Land Surveyors

        a. Exempt

        b. Changing firms or no recent relationship

                1. Annually permit filing of qualifications

                2. Notify firms on file or advertise

                3. Evaluate and rank 3 preferred firms

                4. Negotiate contract

 

IV. Selecting Bid/Awarding Contract

        a. 3 day notice of opening

        b. Determine if responsive

        c. No modifications to substantial degree

        d. Reasonable evaluation time

        e. Notify selected contractor is writing

 

V. Determining Lowest Responsible Bidder

        a. Discretionary authority

                1. No fraud

                2. No abuse of discretion

        b. Consider more than dollars

                1. Ability to perform

                2. Satisfactory Work

                3. Meet bid requirements

 

VI. Challenges to Award

        a. By taxpayers

                1. Intent of statute is to protect

        b. Unsuccessful bidder

                1. Standing

                2. Remedy

                        a. Injunctive relief

                        b. Monetary damages - contract performed?

                        c. Expense reimbursement

        c. Federal claims

                1. Civil Rights violation

 

VII. Criminal Violations

        a. Public contracts - intent to avoid collusion amongst public employees/contractors

                1. Disclosure of sealed bid data/bid information - Class 4 Felony

                2. Contract interference - Class 3 Felony

                3. Kickbacks