So, what are the requirements of this law?
You can purchase furniture, equipment, or supplies that cost less than $40,000, on the open market. No formal bid process is required.
To purchase furniture, equipment, or supplies estimated to cost between $40,000 and $75,000, you must seek competitive quotes (written or by phone) from three different sources.
Purchases estimated to cost more than $75,000 must meet the requirements of the competitive bidding process. The competitive bidding process requires the following:
- Notice of the bid must be placed in a newspaper in general circulation once a week for two weeks.
- Sealed written bids are required and must be opened publicly at a place and time outlined in the notice.
- The bid must be awarded to lowest responsible bidder.
Washington State law is more restrictive than federal law for purchases above $75,000, so if you have met the requirements outlined in RCW 28A.335.190 you also meet the federal requirements laid out in EDGAR §80.36. Purchases made using Federal money (Title I, IDEA, etc.) must conform to Federal requirements.
More about the WSIPC Purchasing Program
A benefit of being served by the WSIPC Cooperative is that we can use our centralized resources, so our districts do not have to use their own time, money, and resources to meet bid requirements.
The WSIPC Purchasing Program connects K-12 public and private schools and public agencies to a network of technology partners; leveraging the power of the WSIPC Cooperative to provide competitively bid goods and services at a reasonable cost.
This program offers software, hardware, and service providers compliant with RCW 28A.335.190. Each vendor who becomes a part of the WSIPC Purchasing Program has been awarded a bid contract through an official RFX (RFP, RFI, RFQ) process in compliance with Washington State Purchasing RCWs.
For a full list of available product and service contracts, check out the Purchasing page on our website. For a full list of our awarded vendors, click here.
For more information about WSIPC’s Purchasing Program, contact Jamie Cowan at rfpadministration@wsipc.org.
In 2021, WSIPC initiated the following RFPS:
- RFP 21-01 contract for computer software, licenses, and services
- WSIPC RFP 21-01 connects Cooperative members to vendors that can provide any type of computer software, licenses, or services they may need. The following categories are adequately handled by other contracts and were therefore excluded from this RFP:
- Microsoft Products (Microsoft Education Select / Microsoft School Agreement / Microsoft EES (Education Enrollment Solutions) / Microsoft Azure / Microsoft O365 / Microsoft “Other” Education Licensing Programs
- Skyward, Inc. Products (SIS, ERP, Grading and Special Education software solutions)
- Public Consulting Group, Inc. (“PCG”) Products (Special Education software solutions)
- Awarded Vendors for RFP 21-01:
- RFP 21-02 E-signature and Document Approval Software Solutions
- As organizations continue to move toward paperless processes, the world of education is no different. E-signature and document approval software solutions give users the ability to gather signatures on documents shared electronically, eliminating the need for physical documents to record signatures. Organizations use e-signature software to encrypt documents, such as contracts, employment paperwork, etc., for which client, employee, or partner signatures are often required.
- To meet this need, WSIPC released RFP 21-02 to connect Cooperative members to vendors that can provide e-signature and document approval software solutions.
- Awarded Vendors for RFP 21-02:
- RFP 21-03 Decontamination, Disinfecting, and Sanitizing Supplies, Equipment, and Services
- With a unique set of risks due to the congregation of people from numerous households, educational and public institutions require extra precaution to ensure the safety of students, staff, and the community.
- To meet this need, WSIPC released RFP 21-03 to connect Cooperative members to vendors that can provide decontamination, disinfecting, and sanitizing supplies, equipment, and services.
- Awarded Vendors for RFP 21-03:
- RFP 21-04 Cybersecurity Awareness Training Solutions
- Today, users are frequently exposed to sophisticated phishing and social engineering attacks. Old-school awareness training doesn't hack it anymore.
- To meet this need, WSIPC released RFP 21-04 to connect Cooperative members to vendors that can provide responsible and lowest-possible cost for security awareness training solutions.
- Awarded Vendors for RFP 21-04:
