Bid Opportunities / Purchasing
Procurement Services promotes open competition, fiscal responsibility, and equitable access
The School District of Lee County conducts formal solicitations in accordance with School Board Policy and applicable Florida Statutes to ensure fairness, transparency, open competition, and the best value for the District.
A formal solicitation is required when the total estimated cost of goods or services is $50,000 or greater. This threshold applies to the total anticipated expenditure of the District as a whole - not to individual schools, departments, locations, or companies. This means that purchases cannot be divided among multiple locations, companies, or smaller transactions to avoid the formal solicitation requirement.
If the combined annual need for a particular good or service across the District is expected to meet or exceed $50,000, the Procurement Department will issue a formal solicitation, such as an Invitation to Bid (ITB), Request for Proposal (RFP), Request for Qualifications (RFQ), or Invitation to Negotiate (ITN). Formal solicitations are publicly advertised and provide all interested companies with an equal opportunity to compete. Awarded contracts may then be used by multiple schools and departments District-wide. This process ensures compliance with procurement regulations and promotes open competition, fiscal responsibility, and equitable access for all companies.