Page 70 - CONTRACT POLICY MANUAL

SECTION 4.2

INVITATION FOR BID (IFB)

§4.2-101 Definition

(1) Invitations for Bids (IFBs) are competitive bidding documents used for acquiring supplies,
services, or equipment for which clear specifications can be written and contract award is
made generally to the lowest responsive, responsible bidder.

§4.2-102 Protest – IFB:

(1) Protest of Bid Specifications: In accordance with Section 1.3 of this manual, all protests
related to bid specifications must be submitted to the Deputy Purchasing Agent no later
than five (5) business days prior to the close of the bid. Protests received after the five (5)
business day deadline will not be considered by the County.
a) In the event the protest of specifications is denied and the protester wishes to
continue in the solicitation process, they must still submit a bid prior to the close
of the solicitation in accordance with the bid submittal procedures provided in the
bid.
(2) Protest of Award of Contract: In accordance with Section 1.3 of this manual, protests
related to the award of a contract based on the IFB, the protest must be submitted no later
than five (5) business days after the notice of the proposed contract award is provided by
the Deputy Purchasing Agent.
(3) Protests relating to a proposed contract award which are received after the five (5) business
day deadline will not be considered by the County.
.

§4.2-103 IFB Document

(1) The IFB shall include a purchase description and all contractual terms and conditions
applicable to the procurement. All invitations for bids will include the following:

a) Adequate Public Notice: Adequate public notice will be given to provide potential
bidders sufficient time to prepare and submit bids by the due date specified in the
invitation for bid.
b) Specifications - General: Clear, concise specifications must be included in all bid
documents. The specification is a description of the physical or functional
characteristics of the commodity, equipment, or service desired. Specifications
shall be written to encourage maximum and fair competition. A Statement of
Desired Purpose will be included in all specifications and only those characteristics
essential to the final performance of the product or service will be included. Unless
only one brand of commodity or equipment is acceptable due to compatibility or
other restrictive requirements, any brand name used in the specifications will be
used only for the purpose of establishing descriptive information and will not be
used to restrict competitive bidding.

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