Procurement

In alignment with the Arlington Public Schools Strategic Plan, it is the intent of the Arlington County School Board to obtain high quality Goods, Services, Professional Services, Construction, and Insurance at reasonable cost and that:

• all procurement procedures be conducted in a fair and impartial manner with avoidance of any impropriety or appearance  of impropriety,
• all qualified vendors have access to Arlington County School Board business,
• no Bidder or Offeror be arbitrarily or capriciously excluded,
• competition be sought to the maximum feasible degree,
• procurement procedures involve openness and administrative efficiency, that the Arlington County School Board enjoy broad flexibility in fashioning details of such competition,
• the rules governing contract awards be made clear in advance of the competition,
• specifications reflect the procurement needs of the Arlington County School Board rather the being drawn to favor a particular vendor, and
• Arlington County School Board and vendor freely exchange information concerning what is sought to be procured and what is offered.

Arlington Public Schools (APS) has a centralized purchasing authority under the Procurement Agent, and purchases a wide variety of goods, services, professional services, construction, and insurance. APS utilizes the competitive sealed bidding process, using Invitation to Bid (ITB) whenever possible. Under this process an award is made to the lowest responsive Bid from a responsible Bidder. APS also utilizes a competitive negotiation process, when factors other than price must be considered in selecting a Contractor, using Request for Proposals (RFP).
(reference Procurement Resolution)