IL SB0085

Fire protection districts must competitively bid contracts for supplies, materials, or work exceeding $20,000 to the lowest responsible bidder meeting established specifications and requirements.

Bid proposals exceeding $20,000 must be published at least 10 days in advance in a newspaper of general circulation and on the district's website if one is maintained, with advertisements describing the contract in sufficient detail.

Competitive bids exceeding $20,000 must be sealed, opened publicly by a board member or district employee, with contents announced; bidders must receive at least 3 days' notice of the bid opening.

Contracts exempt from competitive bidding include professional services, printing, utility services, data processing equipment, equipment maintenance with manufacturers, purchases from governmental agencies, used equipment, and single-source goods.

Fire protection districts may participate in joint governmental or nongovernmental purchasing programs that include competitive solicitation as an alternative to individual competitive bidding for contracts exceeding $20,000.

Procurement involving the acquisition of improvements to real estate by a fire protection district resulting in expenditures exceeding $20,000 must follow competitive bidding procedures.