Public Works Purchasing

Question 1

What does “et seq mean

Answer 1

all that follows

Question 2

NJSA 40A: 11-1 et seq. is ?

Answer 2

The Local Public Contracts Law

Question 3

When was the Local Public Contracts Law enacted?

Answer 3

1917

Question 4

By the statute who is authorized to purchase?

Answer 4

The governing body

Question 5

All public contracts must be…

Answer 5

In writing

Question 6

A purchase order is…

Answer 6

A written formal contract or agreement

Question 7

Name the four basic differences between public and private purchases.

Answer 7

Public Dollars vs. Private/ shareholder dollars
Publics Business vs. Company’s Business
Open Books vs. Closed System
Regulated by Public Law vs. Regulated by Policy

Question 8

What is a Contract Year?

Answer 8

The period of 12 consecutive months following the award of a contract

Question 9

What is aggregation?

Answer 9

It is the sum expended or to be expended for the provisioner performance of any goods or services in connection with the same immediate purpose or task, or the furnishing of similar goods or services, during the same contract year.

Question 10

What is meant by the term Bid Threshold?

Answer 10

The amount above which a contracting unit shall advertise for and receive sealed bids in accordance with the law

Question 11

What is a QPA?

Answer 11

Qualified Purchase Agent

Question 12

All municipalities are required to maintain what type of purchase system?

Answer 12

An encumbrance system

Question 13

Goods and Service contracts cannot exceed how many months?

Answer 13

24 months

Question 14

Professional Contracts cannot exceed…

Answer 14

12 months

Question 15

How long can you contract for Solid Waste Collection?

Answer 15

No more than 5 years

Question 16

What are four of the Major Methods of Source Selection?

Answer 16

Competitive Sealed Bids
Competitive Contracting
Informal Quotations
State Cooperative
County Cooperative
Local Cooperative

Question 17

Major Methods of Source Selection refers to…

Answer 17

How you purchase things

Question 18

What are the Bid Thresholds?

Answer 18

$17,500 non QPA

$36,000 w/ QPA

Question 19

If the price or cost of any commodity exceeds the threshold you must get informal quotes. True or False

Answer 19

False, you must solicit competitive sealed bids

Question 20

What steps are needed to bid for goods or services?

Answer 20

Prepare Specifications
Advertise in Official Newspaper
Accept bids and read in public
Award by resolution to the lowest responsible bidder

Question 21

What is meant by the term Lowest Responsible Bidder?

Answer 21

The bidder or vendor whose response to a request for bids offers the lowest price and is the most responsive or responsible

Question 22

In your specifications you shall not use the phrase “brand name or equivalent unless at least one equivalent exists. True or False

Answer 22

True

Question 23

The quote threshold is…

Answer 23

for commodities over 15% of the bid threshold

Question 24

What are the quote thresholds?

Answer 24

w/QPA $5,400

w/o QPA $2,625

Question 25

For purchases under the quote threshold you should use "Best _________ Practice".

Answer 25

Management | Best Management Practice - BMP

Question 26

How many informal quotes are required?

Answer 26

Two quotes if practicable

Question 27

Which vendor should get the award?

Answer 27

the vendor whose response is most advantages, price and other factors considered

Question 28

Vendors who are disqualified from bidding appear on what list?

Answer 28

The Debarred List

Question 29

Competitive Contracting in lieu of bidding for procurement of specialized goods and services can be used for...

Answer 29

``` Computer Software Hiring Not For Profit Energy Services Homemaker Services Lab Testing Concessions Medical Services ```

Question 30

How long can Competitive Contracts last?

Answer 30

Up to 5 years

Question 31

What is an RFP?

Answer 31

A request for proposal

Question 32

A Competitive Contract must be awarded by...

Answer 32

Resolution

Question 33

What does GSA stand for?

Answer 33

Government Supply Administration

Question 34

What products qualify under a Commodity Resale System?

Answer 34

Gasoline, chemicals, road materials and salt

Question 35

Is a formal contract required for a Commodity Resale System?

Answer 35

Yes

Question 36

Emergency Contracts can be awarded without advertising regardless of price when an emergency affecting public health, safety and welfare exist. True or False

Answer 36

True

Question 37

The governing body must do two things to award an emergency contract. Name them.

Answer 37

Certify the emergency | Pass a resolution to award the contract

Question 38

What are the reasons that all bids may be rejected?

Answer 38

Lowest bid substantially exceeds cost estimates Lowest bid substantially exceeds appropriation Governing Body decides to abandon the project Governing Body wants to revise specifications Laws are being violated Decide to go to State Contract

Question 39

You need "Substantial Revisions" to reject all bids True or False

Answer 39

True

Question 40

If the Governing Body abandons the project you can proceed anyway. True or False

Answer 40

False the project cannot be done

Question 41

Can you disqualify a bidder for prior negative experience?

Answer 41

Yes, as long as the negative experience is with the contracting unit and the bidder, the experience is documented and is not longer ago than 5 yrs.

Question 42

Where can you get help writing specifications?

Answer 42

``` Salesman / Vendors Consultants Other Municipalities State Contract Associations ```

Question 43

Name items included in a bid specification.

Answer 43

``` American Goods and Products to be used where possible Bid Bond Certificate of Surety Statement of Ownership Listing of Subcontractors Receipt of addendum Business Registration Certificate ```

Question 44

What is a Bid Bond?

Answer 44

Insurance

Question 45

What are Professional Services?

Answer 45

Services rendered or performed by a person authorized by law to practice a recognized profession whose practice is regulated by law, and the performance of which services requires knowledge of an advanced type in a field of learning.

Question 46

How long can you contract for Professional Services?

Answer 46

12 months

Question 47

Where is this contract usually approved?

Answer 47

At the Re-Org Meeting

Question 48

Certain Construction Contracts in excess of certain dollar | amounts require the payment of Prevailing Wage. What are the limits?

Answer 48

$2,000 for non-municipal projects | $15,444 for municipal projects

Question 49

Change Orders to a contract cannot exceed ____ of the originally awarded contract.

Answer 49

20%

Question 50

In order to approve a change order certain rules must be followed. What are the rules?

Answer 50

Authorized by resolution Advertised in official newspaper Reported to the State Reported to the Auditor

Question 51

How much of the payments may a municipality retain on Construction Contracts?

Answer 51

2% of the payments

Question 52

Name the ways a municipality can sell property no longer needed for public use..

Answer 52

Public Auction Private Auction Trade

Question 53

If the estimated fair value exceeds 15% of the bid threshold in any one sale, it must be sold at public auction.True or False

Answer 53

True

Question 54

With regard to Public Contracts, what is meant by "Responsible"?

Answer 54

able to complete the contract in accordance with its requirements including but not limited to requirements pertaining to experience, moral integrity, operating capacity,financial capacity, credit, and workforce, equipment,and facilities availability

Question 55

What is meant by "Responsive"?

Answer 55

conforming in all material respects to the terms and conditions, specifications, legal requirements and other provisions of the request