Finding Text
Criteria or specific requirement (including statutory, regulatory, or other citation) The Small Purchase Procurement Method adopted by ISBE requires that public schools entering into a contract for perishable food items in excess of $25,000 but not more than $250,000 must solicit bids from a minimum of three qualified vendors. Condition The District did not solicit bids from qualified vendors for the purchase of milk products. Questioned Costs None. Context The District did not implement internal controls to solicit bids from qualifying vendors for the purchase of perishable food items. Effect The District may pay prices in excess of fair amounts without a competitive bidding process. Cause Due to previous experience with limited bidder participation, the District did not solicit competing bids from qualifying vendors. Recommendation The District should solicit bids from qualifying vendors for milk purchases as required under the Small Purchase Procurement Method. Management's response There is no disagreement. Management has implemented the recommended internal control changes by soliciting bids from multiple vendors for milk products to be purchased for the 2024-25 school year.