Adoption Date: 10/21/2008
5000 - NON-INSTRUCTIONAL/BUSINESS OPERATIONS
PURCHASING
5420 CONTRACTING FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
The
Board of Education will make certain that professional services are
secured in a manner that protects the integrity of the process, ensures
the prudent use of taxpayer dollars and provides a high quality standard
of service, in accordance with law and regulations. Professional
services are defined as services requiring special skill and/or training
such as legal services, medical services, auditing services, property
appraisals or insurance.
Purchasing professional services does not
require competitive bidding.The Board directs the Assistant
Superintendent for Human Resources and the Assistant Superintendent for
Business to take measures to ensure that a highly qualified professional
is secured through the prudent and economical use of public money,
which may include:
- reviewing trade journals;
- checking professional listings; and/or
- inquiring of other districts or other appropriate sources.
The
designated district staff will prepare a comprehensive written request
for proposals (RFP), which will contain critical details of the services
sought. The RFP will specify that the proposal include the structure of
the relationship between the district and the provider, including, if
applicable, the term of the retainer, the hourly fees and other
associated costs.
In reviewing the RFP's the district will consider, at a minimum, the following factors:
- the suitability of the individual/firm for the district's needs;
- the special knowledge or expertise of the individual/firm;
- the credentials and applicable certifications of the individual/firm;
- cost and
- the staffing available from the firm or the time available for the individual.
The
district will, periodically, but not less frequently than every five
years, issue professional service RFP's and may conduct interviews as
part of the RFP process. The written proposals submitted by applicants
shall be maintained for atleast six years.
The Superintendent,
after a thorough review of the proposals,in consultation with the
Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources and Assistant
Superintendent for Business, will recommend the professional service
provider best suited to the district to the Board of Education for its
approval.
Regardless of when during the year the professional
service provider was engaged by the Board, at the annual organization
meeting, the Board will appoint the attorney, physician, external
auditor, or other professional, as applicable. Professional service
providers selected and appointed in this manner will not be considered
employees of the district.
The Superintendent is charged with developing administrative procedures to implement this policy.
Policy References:
General Municipal Law 104-b
2 NYCRR 315.2, 315.3
Trane Co. v Broome County, 76 A.D.2d 1015
Appeal of Lombardo, 38 Educ. Dpt. Rep. 730
Opn. St. Comp. 92-33
Policy Cross References:
» 1330 - APPOINTMENTS AND DESIGNATIONS BY THE BOARD OF EDUCATION