Purchasing/Procurement Information
Responsibility and Goal Statement
The responsibility of the Purchasing Department is the organization and administration of consistent, fair, and effective purchasing services for all Lake Havasu Unified School District schools and departments.
Our goal is to obtain the maximum value for every dollar spent while complying with the procurement policies set by the Governing Board and State Procurement Laws.
To achieve this goal, the Purchasing Department has been charged with the authority and responsibility for the following:
- Identifying qualified vendors, developing and maintaining good buyer/vendor business relationships, and keeping informed of market trends.
- Acquiring goods and services from qualified vendors for schools and departments in an economical, prompt, and reasonable manner.
- Preparing specifications, analyzing bids and proposals, and preparing quotations.
- Awarding contracts and ensuring vendor performance compliance.
- Maintaining a readily available stock of commonly used items at the distribution center.
- Serving all other purchasing and distribution needs of the schools and departments within the Lake Havasu Unified School District No. 1.
Procurement Methods
Purchase Orders
The School or Department purchasing directly from a vendor must submit a purchase requisition prior to previewing or purchasing merchandise. Anyone purchasing without a purchase order assumes the responsibility for payment since there is no contract or commitment on the part of the District. The purchase requisition must contain the proper account coding, appropriate signatures, and correct documentation. A purchase order will then be issued by the Purchasing Department. After a purchase order has been issued with specific items or services listed, a substitution or price increase exceeding 10% may not be made by the school, department, or vendor without permission from the Purchasing Department representative.
Competitive Bids/Requests for Proposals
Competitive, sealed bids or proposals from the vendor(s) are required for purchases of $100,000 or more for equipment, supplies, services, and construction. The Purchasing Department prepares the specifications with the cooperation of the end-user advertises the bid/proposal, evaluates the bid/proposal and recommends award to the Governing Board.
Price Quotes
Written quotes are required for cumulative purchases of "like items" from $10,000 to less than $100,000 per District policy.
State Contracts
The district office has information about state contracts and purchasing cooperative organizations that offer favorable pricing on many commonly used items. These organizations have already fulfilled bidding requirements for you.
Sole Source
A contract may be awarded for merchandise, service, or construction without competition if there is a written determination that there is only one source. Documentation verifying a sole source must accompany the submittal of the purchase requisition to Purchasing. A copy of the written evidence and determination of the basis for sole source shall be retained in the office of the Director.
Accounting Procedures
After the purchase order is processed, items are either picked up or shipped to the Warehouse. The Warehouse delivers items to the school or department. After all merchandise is received or services rendered, the requesting person shall promptly sign the yellow copy of the purchase order, date it, note the shipment is complete and mail to Accounts Payable Department. Without this, Accounts Payable may not pay against a Purchase Order. This procedure is critical to ensure that vendors are paid on a timely basis.
Surplus Property
If you have unused, unwanted or surplus property at your school or department, please contact Business Services. The items will be picked up and properly disposed of or assigned to a needed location.