Unless the political subdivision wants to adopt the Procurement Code, they are correct about the lack of direction for RFPs in the Public Bid Law. The only two RFP processes set out in the Public Bid Law are in R.S. 38:2234 (Political Subdivisions Telecommunications and Data Processing Procurement Law) and R.S. 38:2238 (Political Subdivision Used Fire and Emergency Response Vehicle Procurement Law).
Even though both of these RFP processes do not apply specifically to the professional services that the political subdivision wants to use an RFP for in this case, both of these statutory RFP processes can be used to guide the political subdivision's RFP process. That is, the political subdivision should develop a written general RFP process for itself, using the two statutory RFP processes as minimum guidelines. For example, both only require 1 newspaper advertisement (R.S. 38:2234 at least 30 days before opening; R.S. 38:2238 at least 10 days before). Therefore, it would be reasonable for the political subdivision’s RFP policy to have 3 newspaper advertisements with 1 at least 30 days before proposals are opened.
Both Statutory RFP procedures also require:
(1) mail or electronic mail notice to all persons, firms or corporations known to be in a position to submit a proposal, as well as,
(2) notice of relative importance of price, warranties, other evaluation factors.
The political subdivision's written RFP policy should include these too.
Louisiana Legislative Auditor website: 04/25/2025 06:48:38 PM
|