Evaluating Requests for Bid (RFB)

Evaluating Bids

A Purchasing officer uses the Request for Bid to solicit pricing for most purchases. At anytime the Purchasing Department reserves the right to reject any or all bids / proposals and re-solicit for pricing.

The Purchasing officer evaluates the lowest bid received to determine if it is responsible and meets the specifications listed. General conditions are included in all documents. If it meets specifications, a recommendation for award is made, otherwise the department requesting the item or service continues to review bids until the lowest bid meeting specifications is identified.

Factors

Factors that may be used (as defined in the bid solicitation) include, but are not limited to unit price, installation costs, delivery costs, maintenance and cost of operating, etc. In case of a discrepancy between a unit price and its extension, the unit price will be considered correct.

Identical Bids

In the event of identical line item bids / quotations by multiple vendors, an award shall be determined in the following order:

• Discount advantage offered to the City of Opelika.
• Local supplier. An approved supplier of materials and services who maintains a distributing, manufacturing or processing facility within the confines of the city limits of the City of Opelika, and occupying real property or returning personal property appearing in the ad valorem tax rolls of the district.
•  State supplier. An approved supplier of materials and services who maintains a distributing, manufacturing, or processing facility within the confines of the State of Alabama, but outside the city limits of the City of Opelika.