In accordance with Executive Order 50, the Division of Purchase and Contract has created new IFB and RFQ templates for use by vendors interested in procurement opportunities released by the state on or after March 1. The new templates are available at http://www.pandc.nc.gov/divforms.htm.
The forms are a key part of NC Preference, Gov. Bev Perdue’s new initiative to help protect and grow North Carolina jobs. At her direction, P&C has 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.
It is important for registered vendors who have bookmarked old procurement forms to update links to the new NC Preference forms. Bids submitted on incorrect forms will not qualify for NC Preference consideration.
As a reminder, 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.