Supplies, Equipment, and Non-Construction Projects
The purchasing thresholds for comparative quotes are based on the unit price or on the aggregate total of the items requisitioned. District policy1 grants the purchasing department discretionary authority to obtain quotes as necessary if determined to be in the best interest of Los Rios.
| Bid Type | Project Cost | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| None | $999 or less | No requirement |
| RFQ | $1,000 to $4,999 | Three informal quotes from vendors or market research |
| RFQ | $5,000 to $114,499 | Three written quotes submitted on vendor letterhead or email |
| RFP/Formal Bid | $114,5002 or more | Requires purchasing coordination, advertisement, and sealed bids. This dollar amount is based on the duration of the contract: no more than three years for supply items; no more than five years for services.3 |
Small Business Exception
For non-construction projects (goods, equipment, materials, services, and so on) costing between $5,000 and $250,000, the requirement for bids from businesses certified as Small Business Enterprise (SBE) or Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) is two written quotes.4