State procurement operates under very strict rules, employing sound, competitive purchasing practices.
Over the years, however, there have been times when a North Carolina-resident firm missed the opportunity to gain state business because an out-of-state bidder bested their low bid by a very slim margin. Starting today, North Carolina firms in that position will get an opportunity to match the price of an out-of-state bidder by procedures established by the Division of Purchase and Contract (P&C).
NC Preference is Gov. Bev Perdue’s new initiative to help protect and grow North Carolina jobs. Executive Order No. 50 directed P&C to develop a system that provides qualified North Carolina companies whose bid is within 5 percent or $10,000 of the lowest qualified bid, whichever is less, an opportunity to price-match the lowest bid – if submitted by an out-of-state bidder – and secure the contract.
NC Preference will not extend to construction bids, contracts for services, and software and computers. It applies only to the purchase of goods, since such bids are objective and easy to measure. The new procedure allowing a price match for in-state preference is expected to keep bid prices highly competitive without costing the taxpayers any additional money paid for goods bought by the state.
The goal is to keep more North Carolina dollars in North Carolina, and P&C is proud to be part of the process.