In connection with transactions subject to federal suspension and debarment requirements, the district is prohibited from entering into transactions with parties that are debarred, suspended, or otherwise excluded from or ineligible for participation in federal assistance programs or activities. 

When soliciting bids or otherwise preparing to enter into such a transaction, the superintendent or designee will use at least one of the following verification methods to ensure that any parties to the transaction are not suspended or debarred prior to committing to any sub-award, purchase, or contract:

1. Obtaining a certification of a party’s compliance with the federal suspension and debarment requirements in connection with any application, bid, or proposal;

2. Requiring compliance with the federal suspension and debarment requirements as an express condition of any sub-award, purchase, or contract in question; or

3. Prior to committing to any sub-award, purchase, or contract, check the online Federal System for Award Management at https://sam.gov/portal/SAM/##11 to determine whether the relevant party is subject to any suspension or debarment restrictions.  

2 CFR Part 200 Subpart B-General Provisions

200.113 Mandatory Disclosures

A non-Federal entity or applicant for a Federal award must disclose, in a timely manner, in writing to the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity all violations of Federal criminal law involving fraud, bribery, or gratuity violations potentially affecting the Federal award. Non-Federal entities that have received a Federal award including the term and condition outlined in Appendix XII—Award Term and Condition for Recipient Integrity and Performance Matters are required to report certain civil, criminal, or administrative proceedings to SAM. Failure to make required disclosures can result in any of the remedies described in §200.338 Remedies for noncompliance, including suspension or debarment. (See also 2 CFR part 180, 31 U.S.C. 3321, and 41 U.S.C. 2313.)  It is the responsibility of the Superintendent to timely report to the relevant federal or pass through agency any violations of federal criminal law involving fraud, bribery or gratuity potentially impacting a federal grant.

I.C. Iowa Code Description

Iowa Code § 26 Bidding

Iowa Code § 285 Transportation Aid

Iowa Code § 28E Joint Exercise of Government Power

Iowa Code § 297 School Houses/Sites

Iowa Code § 301 Textbooks

Iowa Code § 73A Public Contracts and Bonds

Iowa Code § 73 Preferences

Iowa Code §72.3 Divulging Contents of Sealed Bids

I.A.C. Iowa Administrative Code Description

261 I.A.C. 54 Economical Development - Iowa TSB Program

281 I.A.C. 43.25 Transportation - Purchasing

Cross References

Code Description

705.04 Expenditures for a Public Purpose

705.04-R(1) Expenditures for a Public Purpose - Use of Public Funds Regulation

801.04 Site Acquisition

802.03 Emergency Repairs

803.01 Disposition of Obsolete Equipment

803.02 Lease, Sale or Disposal of School District Buildings & Sites

Approved _11/16/22     Reviewed    __________    Revised __________

In addition to the District’s standard procurement and purchasing procedures, the following procedures for vendors/contractors paid with federal funds are required.  When federal, state, and local requirements conflict, the most stringent requirement will be followed.

2 CFR Part 200, Subpart D Subsection §200.318 (c)(1) 

No District employee, officer, or agent may participate in the selection, award and administration of contracts supported by a Federal award if he or she has a real or apparent conflict of interest.  Such a conflict of interest would arise when the employee, officer, or agent, any member of his or her immediate family, his or her partner, or an organization which employs or is about to employ any of the parties indicated herein, has a financial or other interest in or a tangible personal benefit from a firm considered for a contract.  District officers, employees, and agents may neither solicit nor accept gratuities, favors, or anything of monetary value from contractors or parties to subcontracts.  However, for situations where the financial interest is not substantial or the gift is an unsolicited item of nominal value, district employees must abide by all relevant board policies. Violation of this requirement may result in disciplinary action for the District employee, officer, or agent.

2 CFR Part 200, Subpart D Subsection §200.320 (e)(1-4)

Procurement for contracts paid with federal funds may be conducted by noncompetitive (single source) proposals when one or more of the following circumstances apply: (1) the item is only available from a single source; (2) public exigency or emergency will not permit the delay resulting from competitive bids; (3) the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity expressly authorizes noncompetitive proposals in response to a written request from the non-Federal entity; or (4) after solicitation of a number of sources, competition is inadequate. 

2 CFR Part 200, Subpart D Subsection §200.321

The District will take all necessary affirmative steps to assure that minority businesses, women's business enterprises, and labor surplus area firms are used when possible. Affirmative steps must include: (1) placing such businesses on solicitation lists; (2) soliciting such businesses whenever they are potential sources; (3) when economically feasible, dividing contracts into smaller tasks or quantities to allow participation from such businesses; (4) establishing delivery schedules that encourage participation by such businesses; (5) when appropriate, utilizing the Small Business Administration and the Minority Business Development Agency of the Department of Commerce; and (6) requiring the primary contractor to follow steps (1) through (5) when subcontractors are used.

The district will include the following provisions in all procurement contracts or purchase orders include the following provisions when applicable:

2 CFR Part 200 Appendix II

(A) Contracts for more than the simplified acquisition threshold currently set at $150,000, which is the inflation adjusted amount determined by the Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council (Councils) as authorized by 41 U.S.C. 1908, must address administrative, contractual, or legal remedies in instances where contractors violate or breach contract terms, and provide for such sanctions and penalties as appropriate. 

(B) All contracts in excess of $10,000 must address termination for cause and for convenience by the non-Federal entity including the manner by which it will be effected and the basis for settlement. 

(C) Equal Employment Opportunity. Except as otherwise provided under 41 CFR Part 60, all contracts that meet the definition of “federally assisted construction contract” in 41 CFR Part 60-1.3 must include the equal opportunity clause provided under 41 CFR 60-1.4(b), in accordance with Executive Order 11246, “Equal Employment Opportunity” (30 FR 12319, 12935, 3 CFR Part, 1964-1965 Comp., p. 339), as amended by Executive Order 11375, “Amending

Executive Order 11246 Relating to Equal Employment Opportunity,” and implementing regulations at 41 CFR part 60, “Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, Equal Employment Opportunity, Department of Labor.” 

(D) Davis-Bacon Act, as amended (40 U.S.C. 3141-3148). When required by Federal program legislation, all prime construction contracts in excess of $2,000 awarded by non-Federal entities must include a provision for compliance with the Davis-Bacon Act (40 U.S.C. 3141-3144, and 3146-3148) as supplemented by Department of Labor regulations (29 CFR Part 5, “Labor Standards Provisions Applicable to Contracts Covering Federally Financed and Assisted Construction”). In accordance with the statute, contractors must be required to pay wages to laborers and mechanics at a rate not less than the prevailing wages specified in a wage determination made by the Secretary of Labor. In addition, contractors must be required to pay wages not less than once a week. The non-Federal entity must place a copy of the current prevailing wage determination issued by the Department of Labor in each solicitation. The decision to award a contract or subcontract must be conditioned upon the acceptance of the wage determination. The non-Federal entity must report all suspected or reported violations to the Federal awarding agency. The contracts must also include a provision for compliance with the Copeland “Anti-Kickback” Act (40 U.S.C. 3145), as supplemented by Department of Labor regulations (29 CFR Part 3, “Contractors and Subcontractors on Public Building or Public Work Financed in Whole or in Part by Loans or Grants from the United States”). The Act provides that each contractor or subrecipient must be prohibited from inducing, by any means, any person employed in the construction, completion, or repair of public work, to give up any part of the compensation to which he or she is otherwise entitled. The non-Federal entity must report all suspected or reported violations to the Federal awarding agency. 

(E) Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act (40 U.S.C. 3701-3708). Where applicable, all contracts awarded by the non-Federal entity in excess of $100,000 that involve the employment of mechanics or laborers must include a provision for compliance with 40 U.S.C. 3702 and 3704, as supplemented by Department of Labor regulations (29 CFR Part 5). Under 40 U.S.C. 3702 of the Act, each contractor must be required to compute the wages of every mechanic and laborer on the basis of a standard work week of 40 hours. Work in excess of the standard work week is permissible provided that the worker is compensated at a rate of not less than one and a half times the basic rate of pay for all hours worked in excess of 40 hours in the work week. The requirements of 40 U.S.C. 3704 are applicable to construction work and provide that no laborer or mechanic must be required to work in surroundings or under working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous or dangerous. These requirements do not apply to the purchases of supplies or materials or articles ordinarily available on the open market, or contracts for transportation or transmission of intelligence. 

(F) Rights to Inventions Made Under a Contract or Agreement. If the Federal award meets the definition of “funding agreement” under 37 CFR §401.2 (a) and the recipient or subrecipient wishes to enter into a contract with a small business firm or nonprofit organization regarding the substitution of parties, assignment or performance of experimental, developmental, or research work under that “funding agreement,” the recipient or subrecipient must comply with the requirements of 37 CFR Part 401, “Rights to Inventions Made by Nonprofit Organizations and Small Business Firms Under Government Grants, Contracts and Cooperative Agreements,” and any implementing regulations issued by the awarding agency. 

(G) Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7401-7671q.) and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1251-1387), as amended—Contracts and subgrants of amounts in excess of $150,000 must contain a provision that requires the non-Federal award to agree to comply with all applicable standards, orders or regulations issued pursuant to the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7401-7671q) and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act as amended (33 U.S.C. 1251-1387). Violations must be reported to the Federal awarding agency and the Regional Office of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 

(H) Debarment and Suspension (Executive Orders 12549 and 12689)—A contract award (see 2 CFR 180.220) must not be made to parties listed on the government wide exclusions in the System for Award Management (SAM), in accordance with the OMB guidelines at 2 CFR 180 that implement Executive Orders 12549 (3 CFR part 1986 Comp.,

 p. 189) and 12689 (3 CFR part 1989 Comp., p. 235), “Debarment and Suspension.” SAM Exclusions contains the names of parties debarred, suspended, or otherwise excluded by agencies, as well as parties declared ineligible under statutory or regulatory authority other than Executive Order 12549. 

(I) Byrd Anti-Lobbying Amendment (31 U.S.C. 1352)—Contractors that apply or bid for an award exceeding $100,000 must file the required certification. Each tier certifies to the tier above that it will not and has not used Federal appropriated funds to pay any person or organization for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a member of Congress, officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a member of Congress in connection with obtaining any Federal contract, grant or any other award covered by 31 U.S.C. 1352. Each tier must also disclose any lobbying with non-Federal funds that takes place in connection with obtaining any Federal award. Such disclosures are forwarded from tier to tier up to the non-Federal award. 

(J) See §200.322 Procurement of recovered materials.

§200.216 Prohibition on certain telecommunications and video surveillance services or equipment

(a)    The district is prohibited from obligating or expending loan or grant funds to:

1. Procure or obtain;

2. Extend or renew a contract to procure or obtain; or

3. Enter into a contract (or extend or renew a contract) to procure or obtain equipment, services, or systems that uses covered telecommunications equipment or services as a substantial or essential component of any system, or as critical technology as part of any system.  As described in Public law 115-232, section 889, covered telecommunications equipment is telecommunications equipment produced by Huawei Technologies Company or ZTE Corporation (or any subsidiary or affiliate of such entities). 

           i.    For purpose of public safety, security of government facilities, physical security surveillance of critical infrastructure, and other national security purposes, video surveillance and telecommunication equipment produced by Hytera Communications Corporation, Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Company, or Dahua Technology Company (or any subsidiary or affiliate of such entities).

           ii.    Telecommunications or video surveillance services provided by such entities or using such equipment.

          iii.    Telecommunications or video surveillance equipment or services produced or provided by an entity that the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Director of the National Intelligence of the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, reasonably believes to be an entity owned by or controlled by, or otherwise connected to, the government of a foreign country. 

(b)    In implementing the prohibition under Public Law 115-232, section 889, subsection (f), paragraph (l), heads of executive agencies administering loan, grant, or subsidy programs shall prioritize available  funding and technical support to assist affected businesses, institutions and organizations as is reasonably necessary for those affected entities to transition from covered communications equipment and services, to procure replacement equipment and services, and to ensure that communications service to users and customers is sustained.

(c)    See Public Law 115-232, section 889 for additional information.

(d)    See also §200.471.

Legal Reference: Title 2 Code of Federal Regulation (C.F.R.) Grants and Agreements, Part 200 Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards

Approved      2/15/23    Reviewed __________ Revised __________

The Board of Directors recognizes and supports the principle that District funds are to be expended only for legitimate public purposes and not for private personal gain for which services of comparable value have not been rendered to the District. The Board of Directors, therefore, believes it is important to designate those expenditures for officers, directors, employees, contractors and volunteers, which are in addition to salaries and benefits authorized and/or specified in contract or policy and legitimate expense reimbursements which serve a legitimate public purpose.

The Board of Directors authorizes the expenditure of District funds for District officers, directors, employees, contractors and volunteers for the following purposes, as these are commonly-granted benefits which aid in recruitment of personnel, promote improvement of staff morale and cooperation, and assist in building a commitment to the District, thus assisting in creating a more productive learning environment.

When purchasing food and non-alcoholic beverages for directors, employees and volunteers, the cost of the items purchased shall be reasonable for the situation and not exceed the amounts specified, without specific authorization from the Board of Directors. The District may use public funds for food and non-alcoholic beverages for the following types of situations:

• To show hospitality, the District may provide for the hydration & nutrition of officials, employees, students, and volunteers at District events not already provided by another entity. While the amount spent must be reasonable, the costs incurred are to be limited to the most economical based on the circumstances of the situation and proximity of the closest food and beverages which will provide appropriate hydration and nutrition for the situation.
• To provide for greater efficiency and increased productivity, the District may provide meals/snacks at meetings and/or training scheduled for more than 5 hours. In these events, the meals/snacks and drinks provided shall be limited to $15 per individual.
• To provide an annual employee recognition meal. Per employee amount will be limited to $15 per individual.
• To aid in the recruitment of personnel, the District may provide meals for interviewees (and when applicable, the interviewee’s partner) and District employees accompanying the interviewee at the time of an interview, if occurring over a normal meal time hour, not to exceed $20.00 per attendee.
• District support organizations may provide meals or the funding for meals for students and/or staff.
• To recognize longevity of service, the administration and/or Board may hold a retirement event including cake, non-alcoholic beverages, and food upon a bonafide retirement, defined as a minimum age of 55 & completed more than 10 years of service. In addition, a nominal gift (total cost of $100 or less) may be purchased for employees leaving the District’s employment after 10 years or more of service.
• Small gifts will be provided to employees commemorating service milestones in 5 year increments. The cost of the gifts will increase nominally with additional years of service.
• Light refreshments and light meals may be provided for special Board of Education meetings as long as public officials or others are attending at the invitation of the Board for the purpose of conducting Board business. The total cost of the refreshments shall be reasonable and appropriate to the situation.
• Refreshments will not be provided by the District for regular meetings or work sessions of the Board unless they exceed 5 hours in duration and in such case, sufficient refreshments will be provided for both the Board and members of the public attending the meeting.
• In support of a positive work environment and recognition of exemplary effort, building administrators are authorized for up to $500 annually for items like treats or snacks for the staff they supervise.

 No District funds will be used to pay the cost of any alcoholic beverage and no alcoholic beverage will be available on school grounds.

Approved 4/13/22                        Reviewed   11-15-23                  Revised    11-15-23