The board supports economic development in Iowa, particularly in The Corridor. Award of construction contracts should take into account the location of the business and should consider Iowa-based companies if the bids submitted are comparable in quality and can be executed without additional cost when compared to those submitted by other bidders. 

Public competitive sealed bids are required for construction projects including renovation and repair with a cost exceeding the statutory minimums required by law. The public competitive sealed bid requirement at the statutory minimums required by law is waived in the case of emergency repairs when the repairs are necessary to prevent the closing of a school. The AEA administrator will certify that the emergency repairs are necessary to prevent the closing of a school. The superintendent [or designee] will comply with the competitive quote process for those projects subject to the competitive quote law. The superintendent [or designee] will determine the process for obtaining quotes for projects below the competitive quote limit. The board will approve competitive bids and competitive quotes.

The award of construction contracts will generally be made to the lowest responsive, responsible bidder. Criteria for consideration in determining responsible bidders includes but is not limited to:

1. History of project completion dates;
2. Timeliness of work progress on prior projects;
3. Number, cost, and quality of change orders on previous projects; and
4. Prior experience and qualifications of sub-contractors to do specified work.

The board in its discretion after considering factors relating to the construction including but not limited to the cost of the construction, availability of service and/or repair, completion date, and any other factors deemed relevant by the board may choose a bid other than the lowest bid. The board may also offer incentives for meeting project deadlines or penalties for exceeding project deadlines or assign contractors a risk factor based on past performance and experience. The board will have the right to reject any or all bids, or any part thereof, and to enter into the contracts deemed to be in the best interest of the school district.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent [or designee] to make a recommendation, and the reason for it, to the board for construction contract bids. The board secretary will recommend to the board which bid to accept.

Adopted: 5/09
Reviewed: 5/15; 4/16
Revised: 10/12; 12/13; 12/18; 1/22
Related Policy: 803.2-R
Legal Reference (Code of Iowa): §§ 72; 73; 73A.2, .18; 297.7-8; HF 2713