School Board Policy Policy: 480 - Bids and Quotations Issued Date:1992;  Revised: 9/18/1995 All Purchases of supplies, materials, equipment and contractual services in excess of five thousand dollars ($5,000), including those of individual schools, shall be based on competitive bids. These bids shall be solicited by advertisement in a newspaper of general circulation in the district. However, said newspaper advertisement may be waived by the purchasing agent in an emergency. The principal shall serve as purchasing agent in each school. All purchases of five thousand dollars ($5,000) or less, including those of individual schools, may be made in the open market without newspaper notice, but shall, whenever possible, be based on at least three (3) competitive bids. The lowest best bid shall be accepted, provided the Board reserves the right to reject any and all bids or any part of any bid and, if applicable, to accept the bid which is best as evidenced by reason relative to the purpose of the purchase. Any bid may be withdrawn prior to the scheduled time for the opening bids. Any bid received after the time and date specified shall not be considered. The bidder to whom the award is made may be required to enter into a written contract. The practice of splitting an order or dividing items to be purchased in order to avoid the use of bidding or other purchasing procedures is prohibited. Contracts for legal services, educational consultants and similar services by professional persons or of high ethical standards shall not be based upon competitive bids but shall be awarded on the basis of recognized competence and integrity. Legal references: TCA 49-2-203 ; TCA 49-2-206; Tennessee Internal Financial Manual; TCA 12-4-106   School Board Policy#484 Policy: Vendor Relations; Issued 1992 The board shall give equal opportunity to all eligible vendors as each order will placed on the basis of quality, price, and delivery. Past services will be a factor if all other considerations are equal. Vendors visiting the separate schools shall contact and secure the permission of the Principal's office prior to visiting professional staff members. Vendors' visitations to schools shall not be permitted to interfere with the normal instructional and learning process. No person officially connected with or employed by the school system will be an agent for, or have any pecuniary compensation or reward of any kind from any vendor for sale of supplies, materials, equipment or service. Violations, by either school personnel or contractor representative, will be subject to disciplinary action as set forth by the board. Legal References: TCA 49-812; OMB Circular A102-0 1997.