Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

To Bid Or Not To Bid: That Isn't the Question!

  • By Duff Erholtz
  • 06/01/17

With all due respect to Mr. Shakespeare, the real question is determining whether or not to do your own bid, or to utilize another public agency’s cooperative agreement. Here’s what you need to know.

It starts internally with your school. Ask the following:

  • Do you understand your legal authority?
  • Is your legal counsel familiar?
  • Has your school utilized cooperative agreements before?
  • Does your board have to approve the use?
  • What does your political landscape look like?
  • Can goals or initiatives be achieved?

Next, evaluate the organizations:

  • How long has the cooperative been operating?
  • Does your school have to join the cooperative? Is there a fee?
  • Was the solicitation advertised?
  • What procurement laws does the cooperative follow in soliciting, evaluating and awarding contracts?
  • Has the cooperative received third-party audits, peer review or awards?
  • What is the level of customer service?
  • Does its website contain accessible and thorough documentation?

Finally, and most importantly, analyze the actual contract:

  • Does the awarded contract contain the specific solution you need?
  • When was the contract awarded, and when does it expire?
  • What are the qualifications, capabilities and financial health of the awarded supplier?
  • How is pricing addressed? i.e. percentage discount, ceiling-based pricing
  • Are the terms and conditions amendable?
  • Is there a rebate on the contract?

This article originally appeared in the issue of .

About the Author

Duff Erholtz serves as a Membership Development administrator at National Joint Powers Alliance. Contact him at [email protected] or visit njpa.co/NCPProadmap.

Featured

  • Harvard Announces Replacement Facility for Native American Program

    Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass., recently announced that construction will begin this spring on a new home for its Native American Program, according to university news. The 6,500-square-foot, all-electric building will stand three stories and serve as the central hub for the Harvard University Native American Program (HUNAP).

  • University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Launches New Emergency Communications System

    The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) recently deployed a new emergency notification and incident management system for its campus, according to a news release. The university partnered with 911Cellular to launch Safe@UTC, a smartphone app allowing university officials to communicate and respond during emergency situations.

  • Stanford Completes Construction on Graduate School of Education Facility

    Stanford University in Stanford, Calif., recently announced the end of construction on a new home for its Graduate School of Education, according to a news release. The university partnered with McCarthy Building Companies on the 160,000-square-foot project, which involved two major renovations and one new construction effort.

  • University of Arizona Approves New Residence Hall

    The Arizona Board of Regents recently approved plans for a new residence hall at the University of Arizona in Tucson, Ariz., according to a news release. The new facility is scheduled to open in fall 2028 and have the capacity for more than 1,200 students, enforcing a new university expectation that all first-year students live on campus.